To prune a rubber plant, use shears to cut just above a node. Based on the space in which you’re keeping the plant, and your own personal taste, choose which shape you’d like the plant to have. In order to promote new leaves on a current rubber tree houseplant, cut a slit in the node where a leaf fell off. Where I live it is extemely hot, so we have different kinds here, one for indoors and the outdoors type - these grow into massive trees. Continue reading below to learn how to prune a rubber tree plant to remove unwanted parts of the plant and make it bushy.The pruning of the rubber plant will confine your rubber plant in a pot or in ground to a lower height but thick and bushy. With the help of a string or a cut rubber band, bind the two plants together. Many times, this will happen when you bring your rubber tree plant in from outdoors, and this change can cause a total drop of the rubber tree leaves. You can propagate a new rubber tree plant from a cutting. If your rubber tree plant seems to be losing lots of leaves for no apparent reason, you need to investigate and address potential issues with light, temperature, moisture, pests and fertilizer. A classic houseplant, the rubber tree plant (Ficus elastica) grows up to 100 feet tall when grown outdoors. ?why do leaves drop off rubber plants?a?? Watch for droopy leaves, which indicate a need for more water. For many of them (including some landscape plants too), air layering is the best method. Prep Your Station. Keep reading to learn how to propagate a rubber tree so that you can give your friends a free rubber tree plant. For plant propagation guides, click your favorite plant: snake plants, peperomia plants, pothos plants, rubber plants, prickly pear cactus, succulent leaves and cuttings, and string of pearls. Rubber tree plants need a lot of sunlight but not direct sunlight. Read here for … Light Change – A common reason for a rubber plant losing leaves is a change in the light. Provide your rubber tree plant with stable light. In fact, branches that are out of sorts can be removed without any damage to the plant. So, if you’re pruning a main stem, make the cut just above where a smaller stem branches out. Propagation of a Rubber Tree Plant. It has grown well but is not branching out at all. Rubber tree plants are quite resilient and rubber tree trimming can basically take place any time of the year. Causes of Rubber Tree Plant Leaves Falling Off. Can rubber plants grow back in original soil after being cut from growing so tall and strong? Perhaps yours needs to be cut back because it’s gotten leggy, is just too tall or maybe you want your plant to have a new look. If your plant is outdoors, find a way to create shade. The tough outer layer of the stem or … However, these plants will usually respond faster to pruning during late spring or early summer—around June. The Rubber Plant, Ficus elastica or Ficus robusta, is a hardy accommodating low maintenance houseplant, it also goes by Rubber Tree or Rubber Fig. In a nutshell, you propagate the plant while it’s still attached to the mother. A sunny spot shielded by a sheer curtain is often perfect for rubber plants. Rubber plant is the most commonly used houseplant, as it is easy to plant and care for. A few rubber tree leaves may fall off the plant with the change from summer to fall, when light levels change. When to Prune a Rubber Tree. Light Change – A common reason for a rubber plant losing leaves is a change in the light. Leaves that turn yellow and brown and drop signal over-watering. Rubber tree (Ficus elastica) plants, also known as Rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush, grow best in warm and bright conditions. Scientific name of the rubber plant is Ficus elastica and it is also known as the Indian rubber bush. There are many reasons for rubber tree leaf drop. I just found this site, and am overwhelmed by the breadth and quality of information! It can leave a plant owner wondering a? It is about 4 feet tall now and I would like it to grow out some. A classic houseplant, the rubber tree plant (Ficus elastica) grows up to 100 feet tall when grown outdoors. After finishing my cuts, I clamped my top piece to my workspace to drill my test tube holes. I can’t stress enough that the best way to propagate a Rubber Tree, or any indoor plant in general, is with a healthy, established mother (or father) plant. A node is where a leaf grows out of a stem or where a stem grows out of another stem. Although it's native to Asia, it will grow outdoors in the warm climates of U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10b and 11. If you don’t find doing this possible, try to get at least one side well aligned. Just growing straight up. With some general rubber tree plant know-how and a few common garden materials, you can help prevent further leaf loss and reclaim the health of your plant. Decide on a shape for your rubber plant. If you’d like to encourage your rubber plant to grow larger widthwise, cut off the tip of the main stem.