Rubber plants thrive with at least six to eight hours of bright, indirect light each day. They can do well in an east-facing window or several feet from a south-facing or west-facing window. They can tolerate soft morning sunlight but should be kept out of harsh, direct afternoon sunlight, which can burn the leaves.
Rubber Plants will look their best if kept in a room with moderate to bright indirect sunlight. They also do well in office environments with artificial lighting, as long as the lights are on for at least eight hours per day (excluding weekends).
The best rubber plant location, as per vastu is the south east but do note that rubber plants also require a lot of sunlight but the warmth should not be intense. Its best to place them in the east or southeastern facing windows so that they get the morning sunlight.
Rubber plants like humidity and bright indirect light. Mine is in an east-facing window and is very happy with morning sun. They can get burns/sun spots if the light is too intense. Let the top inch or two of the soil to dry between watering (once a week or every 2 weeks). Remove dead and dying leaves or offshoots.
Rubber plants represent abundance, happiness and wealth. According to the teachings of feng shui the rubber plant's round leaves make it an ideal candidate to be placed in a corner in order to soften the sharp angles. The wealth corner of the home is particularly suitable.
Acting like a black crystal, the Rubber Plant absorbs negativity and flourishes in the right placement, such as at your home's entrance.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH RUBBER? Rubber grows on around 14 million hectares worldwide. Similar to palmoil, the production of natural rubber has been associated with deforestation. Also loss of biodiversity and soil erosion due to monoculture cultivation are major ecological problems of rubber cultivation.
Rubber plants like humid air and appreciate an occasional misting—especially during winter, when the air is usually drier. But if your home is on the dry side, your plant can learn to deal with it.
GROWING RUBBER PLANTS
Be sure to place your Ficus in a brightly lit location, such as near an east- or west-facing window or several feet back from a south-facing window. Variegated varieties will benefit from a few hours of direct sun, which will bring out the best foliage color.
Lifespan and Growth Insights
Average Lifespan: In the right conditions, a Rubber Plant can grace your space for 10-15 years, sometimes even longer. Growth Timeline: Achieving full size can take several years, with the plant's growth rate slowing as it matures.
The rubber plants are lucky plants for home and represent wealth and fortune in Feng Shui, as its rounded leaves resemble coins. When placed in the home, these good luck plants are believed to provide abundance. Also, the rubber plant improves indoor air, as it is a natural air purifier.
You can put your rubber plant outside in the summer, provided you keep it in partial shade on the porch, where it's shielded from the UV rays. For a young rubber tree, gradually acclimate it to the outdoor environment, ensuring it doesn't get overexposed to heat and direct sunlight.
Rubber Plant Helps Purify Air
Rubber plant increases humidity within a room and prevents the pollutants and any other unwanted particles to turn into dust and harm your respiratory system.
Light – Rubber plants do best with bright, indirect sunlight, such as an east-facing window. Avoid intense afternoon sun, which can burn the large leaves and turn them from glossy to dull. While rubber trees can tolerate lower light, more light helps stems grow strong.
Remove the yellow leaves to encourage new growth. It's a bit like weeding, but for your plant. Maintaining plant hygiene is also important. It's not just about looks - it can also help to prevent further yellowing.
Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings.
Rubber plants are easy to care for and can grow quickly under the right conditions. They're sturdy, tolerant and simple to please. Keep their soil slightly moist, make sure they get plenty of sunshine, and if you're at a comfortable temperature, they'll be comfortable too.
The Rubber Plant is a popular choice for indoor decor due to its low maintenance requirements and striking appearance. While it can be placed in various directions according to Feng Shui beliefs, Vastu suggests that the ideal location for this plant is in the southwest direction of your house.
A healthy rubber plant will happily boast beautiful, glossy, deep emerald green leaves. They're an extremely fast-growing plant, so you'll also know if your plant is healthy if it shoots up dramatically during its growing season!
Yellow leaves and a heavy pot may be your Rubber Plant's cry for help—overwatering is often the culprit. Root rot can follow, turning roots into mush and sapping the life from your plant. Signs: Yellow leaves, root rot. Causes: Too much water, poor drainage.
Sometimes a rubber plant may not be growing uniformly or branches out too much. This can also be remedied by pruning. To promote upward growth, cut the side shoots of the tree – either directly on the trunk or above a node where you want new branches to grow.
Best Times and Frequency for Repotting
Signs that your rubber plant needs repotting include roots growing out of the drainage holes, stunted growth, and the plant becoming top-heavy. Late winter, spring, and early summer are the ideal times for repotting rubber plants.
The rubber plant is considered auspicious if it is planted inside the house. Rubber Vastu plants for home are believed to bring financial prosperity, wealth and commercial success. You must keep the rubber plant in the southeast direction; if not, it might bring bad luck.
Symbolism and Cultural Significance
In many cultures, the rubber tree is a symbol of resilience and adaptability, traits that are easily relatable to the human experience. Its robust nature and the ability to thrive indoors mirror our own potential for growth in constrained environments.
Remove dead leaves and branches at any time of year.
This will improve the overall appearance of the rubber plant, and keep the plant in good health. You can remove dead leaves in any season using your fingers. You may need to use a pair of pruning shears to snip off dead branches.