Philippines

The rubber tree or plant (Ficus elastica decora) is a favorite houseplant with large, thick, glossy green leaves. Rubber trees will grow well in most homes with just a little care, but they can get fairly large if you don't prune them. They also grow well outside in temperate climates. Provide the rubber tree with the right mix of soil, light, and water, and you'll have a happy, healthy plant that makes a beautiful addition to your living space.


Place small pebbles in the bottom of a pot for drainage. The pebbles should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) big in diameter. The layer of pebbles should cover 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) in the bottom of your pot. You can find these at most gardening centers.
This plant likes well-drained soil, and the pebbles will help with that.

Give the rubber tree a well-draining soil. This plant also prefers a soil that is aerated. The soil should be 1 part peat, 1 part pine bark, and 1 part sand or perlite. You should be able to buy all of these ingredients at your local gardening store.[2]
If you don't want to make your own mix, look for a potting soil that has the same ratio, or one meant for foliage plants.[3]
Outside, the plant will do well in most soils, though a slightly acidic soil may be best.

Sow the ficus seeds on the surface of the mix. Do not cover; the seeds need light to germinate. Water thoroughly to moisten the soil.

Set the container outdoors in full sunlight or partial shade if temperatures are above 77 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures are too low, keep the container indoors under artificial lights.

Keep the soil moist; do not allow it to dry out. Germination takes between 15 and 90 days.

Transplant seedlings into individual containers when the second set of leaves, or true leaves, appear.


Pick a warm spot in your home for the plant. This plant thrives in temperatures of 60 to 75 °F (16 to 24 °C), so pick a temperate corner for your plant. It doesn't do well with the cold, so try to pick an area that isn't susceptible to drafts.[5]
Don't go below 55 °F (13 °C) for this plant.


Place the rubber tree in an area with indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight is usually too much for this plant. Instead, stick it near a window that has a sheer curtain. That way, it still gets sunlight but not too much sunlight. Outside, try it in a shady area, where it will still get indirect light.
You could also place it in a room that gets a lot of ambient sunlight without it directly hitting the plant.

Grow in temperate climates when placing the tree outdoors. In the United States, this plant grows best in hardiness zones 10 and 11. It can grow in zone 9 if you provide it with some wind protection with a wall. It will not tolerate temperatures below freezing or above 115 °F (46 °C).

Pick a protected location for outdoor trees. Rubber trees need to be protected from the wind. Place it near a wall to protect it. For the most protection, determine the direction the wind in your area commonly blows, and place i