Question
I have a rubber tree that I try to expose to as much light as possible. It’s dying. The room is very humid and I don’t water it, as it seems to be waterlogged. How can I save it?
Answer
Your growing conditions seem perfectly appropriate to me, so the decline of your Rubber Fig (Ficus elastica) is a mystery.
In garden centres, we often see a label on rubber indicating that it tolerates shade. However, to live in good health, this plant needs good lighting with at least a few hours of sun a day, if not full sun. But as it can tolerate 8 weeks of shade before deteriorating, the supplier feels justified in displaying “shade plant” on the label.
Watering should be moderate, allowing the soil to dry out slightly, and it’s best to use a draining potting soil. The ideal temperature is between 15°C and 24°C (60 to 75 F). It thrives in a warm, humid environment.
Perhaps it has suffered a major shock or endured a long period of deprivation? One thing is clear, however: if the plant appears waterlogged and the potting soil remains moist, it is no longer able to absorb the water present in the potting soil. We can conclude that its roots are dead or dying and, without roots, it can’t survive.
I suggest you try taking cuttings. Cut a section about 20 cm long, removing the lower leaves. Apply a little rooting hormone to the lower part of the stem and insert it into a pot filled with moist potting soil, covering the whole thing with a transparent plastic bag. Place in a warm, well-lit spot, but without direct sunlight. If you see new leaves appearing, new roots are present and your rubber has been saved. You can remove the plastic covering and place it in a brighter environment, treating it as a mature plant.
Larry Hodgson published thousands of articles and 65 books over the course of his career, in both French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. This text was originally published in Le Soleil newspaper in February 2000.