A rubber tree plant is also known as a Ficus elastica.
When it comes to rubber plant care, the correct balance of water and light is crucial, as with any plant. You can control the amount of light and water it gets, which is important because they shouldn’t have too much of either.
Light
A rubber tree houseplant needs bright light but prefers indirect light that isn’t too hot. Some people recommend putting it near a window that has sheer curtains. This allows plenty of light, but hopefully not too much heat. In short, Rubber thrives in medium to bright indirect light, and can tolerate bright direct light.
Water
The rubber tree plant also needs the right balance of water. During the growing season, it needs to be kept moist and watered at least once a week. It is also a good idea to wipe off the leaves of your rubber tree houseplant with a damp cloth or spritz them with water. If you water the rubber tree plant too much, it will signal you by the leaves turning yellow and brown and falling off.
In order to promote new leaves on a rubber tree houseplant, cut a slit in the node where a leaf fell off. This will allow a new leaf to grow quicker.
During the dormant season, it may only need watered once or twice a month. If the leaves begin to droop, but not fall off, increase the water you give the rubber tree gradually until the leaves perk back up again.
Common Problems
It is generally a very easygoing plant. May get scale and mealybugs. Treat scale bugs and mealybugs as soon as they appear with weekly sprays of horticultural (Neem) oil and regular wipe-downs of the plant.
SYMPTOM: Color fading on leaves
CAUSE: Not enough sunlight
SYMPTOM: Leaves curling inward coupled with dry potting mix
CAUSE: Underwatered
SYMPTOM: Leaves dropping coupled with wet potting mix
CAUSE: Overwatered
Courtesy: Gardeningknowhow, thesill