Rubber tree plants, known as Ficus elastica, have become the focal point of many households. Their big, deep green, shiny, glossy leaves make them a sight to behold. It is why they are one of the most popular indoor plants or trees in the world.
Rubber plants, like many plants, used indoors get too much pampering.
Many homeowners seem to either overwater or underwater these plants, causing them to dry out or die prematurely. So the question is, how often should rubber tree plants be watered?
Learn how and when to water your rubber tree plant in the article below!
How Often Should You Water Rubber Tree Plants?
Depending on the location (bright indirect light), your rubber tree plant needs watering every five to seven days. Keep the Ficus potting soil consistently moist but never soggy. Plants in soggy soil are susceptible to root rot, soil gnats, and bacterial and fungal infections.
If given a choice, underwatering your rubber plant is better than overwatering it. After all, rubber plants are pretty tolerant of underwatering. Pour just enough water to cover all the plant’s roots.
There are other factors to consider when watering your rubber tree plant, including the area’s temperature and humidity, as well as the plant’s size and pot type.
NOTE: Yellow leaves are a good sign of overwatering.
Factors to Consider When Watering Rubber Tree Plants
To keep your rubber tree plants happy and healthy, it’s important to understand how and when to water them. As follows are some of the essential factors to consider when watering rubber tree plants!
Humidity Level
Rubber plants are quite hardy. As long as they’re given proper support, they can easily survive any weather condition thrown at them.
That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that rubber plants mostly thrive in areas with high humidity and would sometimes struggle when faced with low humidity.
Luckily, there are a few methods to increase the area’s overall humidity levels during winter. This includes using humidifiers to maintain the room’s humidity levels and regularly sprinkling the rubber plant’s green leaves with mist water.
If your room’s humidity level is high, watering your plants every 7-14 days will suffice. On the other hand, areas with low humidity must practice watering their plants every 3-5 days.
Temperature
One of the best things about rubber plants is that they can thrive in various temperatures, from a cold 39°F to a warm 85°F.
When it comes to watering rubber plants, taking note of the weather’s temperature is just as important as the room’s humidity levels.
If the room’s temperature is more than 65°F, the plants must be watered every 3-5 days. After all, water evaporates quickly during the summer months. If it’s less than 65°F, water the plants anywhere between 7-14 days.
The colder the temperature, the less you need to water your rubber plants.
Plant Size
At full maturity, rubber tree plants can grow up to anywhere between 6′-10′ feet. This is especially true if they’re properly taken care of and placed in the right spot.
Juvenile rubber plants are usually no more than 1′-4′ feet in size. Since they still haven’t reached their full maturity yet, juvenile rubber plants don’t have high water-retaining capabilities. As such, they require more water than their adult counterparts.
Rubber plants that stand anywhere between 1′-4′ feet high need to be watered every five to seven days.
Compared to juvenile rubber plants, adult rubber plants that stand between 5′-10′ feet tall can retain water quite well. As a result, they don’t need to be watered as much as the former. They may need watering every 7 to 14 days.
Rubber Tree Varieties
Pot Size and Type
Depending on the pot’s size and type, you can water your rubber plants anywhere between 2-3 days or 8-12 days.
Small, 4-inch pots tend to dry out faster than big, 8-inch pots. If you’re housing your rubber plants in small pots, make sure to water them every 3-5 days. Pots over 8 inches should be watered every 7-14 days.
Pot type is likewise another factor to consider when watering your plants. The pot should have a drainage hole. Porous pots, such as terracotta and concrete pots absorb moisture faster than ceramic, plastic, and metal pots.
Those who forget to water their plants or leave the house for short vacations would benefit from pots that keep the moist soil longer.
Bottom Line
Rubber plants like bright light and consistency. They don’t like being too wet or too dry. As long as you pay attention to the room’s temperature and humidity levels, as well as the year’s current season, you’ll be able to recognize when and how much water your rubber plants need.
If in doubt, simply poke a finger into the soil. It should be moist, not too dry, or too soggy. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s too wet, let them absorb the water for a few more days.