Generally, ruby rubber plants should be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch and then thoroughly watered until the excess drains out of the pot’s drainage holes. Depending on the ambient humidity, light exposure and other environmental factors, this will usually be once or twice a week.
If you grow your plant in a container without drainage holes, let the top inch of the soil dry out before giving it a thorough soak and then empty out any water that’s accumulated in the bottom of the pot.
You may need to water your ruby rubber plant more often in very hot and arid climates, but less often in cooler and more humid regions.
Are Ruby rubber plants easy to care for?
Ruby rubber plants are indeed easy to care for. They do best in bright indirect light, but can tolerate low indirect light just fine. They like to stay on the drier side, so water about once every 7-10 days and make sure the soil is completely dry before watering again.
Be sure to use a pot with good drainage and don’t let the roots sit in water. Every few months, you can fertilize your plant with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. Other than these basic needs, ruby rubber plants are quite resilient and can withstand some neglect.
With the right environment, they can even grow up to 8 feet!.
Is Ficus Ruby an indoor plant?
Yes, Ficus Ruby is an excellent indoor plant. It is a popular perennial, evergreen shrub with dark leathery leaves that start out as a vibrant pinkish-red and gradually darken. It has a graceful drooping habit that adds interest to any indoor space and enjoys bright but indirect light.
It is a very low maintenance plant, requiring only occasional watering and pruning, and it is not prone to any major insect or disease problems. Ficus Ruby is a perfect plant for the occasional gardener or beginner, and its vibrant foliage makes it an attractive addition to any home.
How tall does Ficus Ruby get?
Ficus Ruby is a variety of rubber tree that is known for being one of the fastest-growing varieties of ficus, typically reaching heights of 3-4 feet in a single growing season or about 12-13 feet tall in three years.
When planted outdoors, the mature height of the Ficus Ruby is anywhere between 20-30 feet tall with a spread of 10-15 feet wide. As indoor houseplants they typically grow to around 10-15 feet high. When planting outdoors, it is important to allow plenty of space to accommodate the sprawling extend of the roots and complete growth potential.
How do you take care of a little Ruby plant?
To take care of a little Ruby plant, you’ll need to provide the plant with plenty of sunlight, water, and the right soil. In terms of light, the Ruby plant should receive at least six hours of bright indirect sunlight each day.
Water the plant whenever the top of the soil feels dry. Make sure to rotate the pot occasionally so that all sides of the plant receive an equal amount of light. As for soil, choose a well-draining potting medium with a neutral pH, as too much acidity can harm a Ruby plant.
If you live in an area with hard water, use distilled water for your plant in order to avoid too much mineral buildup. Lastly, pruning wilted or dead leaves will help maintain the plant’s natural growth habit.
Can Ficus Ruby grow outdoors?
Yes, Ficus Ruby (also known as Ficus microcarpa ‘Ruby’) can grow outdoors. This tropical evergreen tree is native to Southeast Asia and thrives in warm and humid climates where temperatures don’t dip below 20°F.
When grown outdoors, Ficus Ruby can grow to a height and spread of up to 25 feet, producing dark green, oval-shaped leaves that darken in color with age. It requires medium-light exposure and evenly moist, but well-drained, soil.
Pruning should be done regularly to encourage a symmetrical shape. Additionally, it can tolerate a wide range of soils, from very sandy to clay, as long as they are well-draining. Ficus Ruby can also be grown as a houseplant, but is more likely to drop its leaves when grown indoors.
The plant should receive between 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight and should be watered regularly.
Is Ruby Ficus fast growing?
The Ruby Ficus (Ficus rubiginosa) is a species of fig tree that can grow quite quickly, depending on the environment it is in. Generally, it is a fast-growing tree that can reach heights of up to 20 m (65 feet) and has a spread of 6-9 m (20-30 feet).
Ruby Ficus can thrive in a variety of settings, including rocky hills, fields and hedgerows, as well as indoors as a houseplant. It prefers sandy, well-draining soil and plenty of light, so in the right conditions, it can grow quite fast.
Additionally, fertilization and pruning can be beneficial, providing further chances for the Ruby Ficus to reach its full growth potential.
Why is my ruby Ficus dropping leaves?
The most common reason would be due to improper care or changes in the environment such as: too much direct sunlight, drastic changes in temperature, lack of humidity, too much water/too little water, or poor soil.
Firstly, if your plant is in a spot with direct sunlight, the leaves may start to wilt and then drop. In this case, the best solution would be to move the plant to a shadier spot.
Secondly, drastic changes in temperature or humidity can cause the leaves to drop. For example, if the temperature is too hot or cold, the leaves may turn yellow, then brown and eventually drop. This is why it’s important to keep an indoor temperature around 18-24°C.
Similarly, if humidity levels become too low, the leaves may suffer from dehydration and drop. Keeping your plant in a humid spot, such as the bathroom, or adding a humidifier, can help to fix this issue.
Thirdly, overwatering or underwatering your ruby Ficus can cause it to drop leaves. Best practice for watering this type of ficus is to check the top inch of the soil. If it is dry then you can safely water the plant until the water starts to drain out of the bottom.
You should then allow the soil to dry out between watering before repeating the process.
Fourthly, if the quality of the soil is poor, this can also cause your ficus to drop leaves. The best soil for this plant is a potting mix that contains a mixture of peat moss, coir and perlite. Also, it’s important to make sure the soil drains well, so adding perlite or extra peat moss may be necessary if the soil is too dense.
Lastly, it’s important to check for pests or diseases. If there are visible signs of pests (such as aphids or mealybugs) or discoloulation on the leaves then you may need to take action to control them.
In summary, improper care or changes in the environment can cause your ruby Ficus to drop leaves. To help prevent this from happening, make sure the plant is placed in an ideal spot with the correct amount of sunlight, humidity and water.
Additionally, check for signs of pests and diseases, and ensure the soil quality is adequate for the plant’s needs.
What does an overwatered ficus tree look like?
An overwatered ficus tree will typically have yellow, drooping leaves and weak branches that lack vigor. The soil around the tree will be wet, may even be muddy, and the roots will have changed from their usual white color to a darker shade.
The roots may even be swollen or beginning to rot. The tree may also have noticeably fewer leaves than normal, or leaf drop. There may be other signs of stress, like wilting or browning leaves, or defoliation.
If the tree is not remedied quickly, it can suffer from root rot, which will ultimately kill it if allowed to progress. Additionally, certain species of ficus are very sensitive to overwatering and can be killed in as little as two weeks too much water.
How do you revive a dying rubber tree?
Reviving a dying rubber tree is possible, but it does take some effort and patience. First, check the tree for signs of rot and disease. Prune away any dead or diseased branches, as these can be potential sources of infection for the tree.
Once all unhealthy parts of the tree have been removed, move the tree to a warmer, sunnier location, as rubber trees are tropical plants that prefer warm climates.
Next, provide the rubber tree with plenty of adequate water. Rubber trees should be watered fairly often during the growing season, but they don’t need to be submerged in water. If there’s no way to water it by hand, try using a irrigation system or a water timer, as this will ensure that the tree gets the moisture it needs without over watering.
You should also fertilize your rubber tree. A slow release fertilizer once a month during the summer, combined with some mulch or compost can help to give the tree a boost and get it back on the path to health.
Finally, check for pests, such as mealybugs or spider mites, that can sap the energy from a rubber tree. If you spot any, you can remove them manually or use a natural insecticide to get rid of them.
Reviving a dying rubber tree is not an overnight process. With a bit of time and careful attention, you’ll have it looking good as new.
Why is my ruby rubber plant not red?
Ruby rubber plants, like other varieties of rubber plants, are susceptible to fluctuations in temperature and lighting levels. Therefore, a change in the temperature or lighting of the environment may be responsible for the absence of the red coloration in your ruby rubber plant.
If the environment has become too cold, the ruby rubber plant will lose its red color. Conversely, if the lighting levels are too low, the dark red pigmentation will also not be visible. It is important to find the right balance of temperature and lighting for your ruby rubber plant in order to bring out the red color.
Additionally, make sure to provide your plant with the correct amount of water and nutrient levels, as too little or too much can also affect your plant’s coloration.
How do you keep a ruby ficus red?
Keeping a ruby ficus red requires providing the right conditions and regular maintenance. The ruby ficus plant needs bright, indirect sunlight and temperatures between 65°F and 75°F. It should never be exposed to temperatures below 60°F.
The soil should be kept moist to the touch and not allowed to dry out completely. You should avoid frequent watering and deep soaking, as this can cause the leaves to become limp and discolored. Feed ruby ficus every six to eight week with a general houseplant fertilizer.
Prune the stems when they become too long or leggy. Mindful of the fact that ruby ficus can be sensitive to high levels of humidity, regularly mist the foliage with lukewarm water during the hot summer months.
Finally, give the leaves a gentle wipe with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and help to keep them looking vibrant.
Why is there white stuff on my rubber plant?
It’s possible that the white stuff you’re seeing on your rubber plant is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that can affect a wide range of plants and can often appear as a white or gray powdery coating on the leaves.
Infected leaves may turn yellow or brown and die, and the entire plant may eventually die if not treated. To avoid this problem, make sure that your rubber plant is getting plenty of sunlight, is planted in well-draining soil, and is not overwatered.
To treat powdery mildew, try spraying your plant with a fungicide specifically designed to effectively treat this type of disease.