Introducing Roberta the Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica): The Rounded, Robust Plant

Roberta is my Rubber plant, also known as Ficus Elastica ‘Robusta’ (to give her full title!). She is relatively new to my plant family, she was another lockdown plant purchase.

We have had some challenges since I got her and I thought she may die within a few months as her bottom leaves were falling off. However we’ve got through that rough patch and she is now flourishing and recently pushed out a new leaf. I set out more detail below on how I fixed it (fingers crossed). 

How do you care for Rubber Plants?

Light: Rubber plants like bright, indirect light, but not direct sun. I think one reason why Roberta wasn’t doing too well to start off with was because I had her too far back in the room (which as you’ll know from my other posts, is quite shaded).

Water: Do not, I repeat, do not overwater Rubber plants! I believe that was the main reason for my issues at the start. I was watering her regularly on a weekly basis and she just did not need it. Rubber plants do not like to be overwatered and will show their displeasure by dropping their leaves! I solved it by letting her dry out and now I water probably every 2 weeks.

Humidity: They’re not too fussy about humidity so I just mist her every now and then 

Fertilising: I fed my Rubber Plant about once every 2 weeks during spring and summer.

What I love about Rubber Plants (Ficus Elastica): The beautiful, big dark green leaves. It looks lovely against the white vase I have it in. I also love how the new leaves look when they are about to unfurl. They have a red sheath/skin which drops off as the unfurling begins. 

Do you have a Rubber Plant? Do you have any advice or do anything differently? I’d love to hear.

Check out my other Plant Introduction Series:

Aggie the Aglanoema

Callie the Calathea

Mary the Monstera

Sally and Sandy Schefflera

Alice the Alocasia

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