I’m a huge fan of rubber plant lately. They’re low maintenance, easy to grow and can become quite the show stoppers in your home! I have a few rubber trees – some small and some large.
Recently I tried my hand at propagating them and found it was SO easy! Here’s your foolproof guide for how to propagate a rubber plant. I hope it helps!
Table of Contents
What to Know About Rubber Tree Plants
One of the first things I want to discuss is the rubber tree plant, or ficus elastica, itself. Rubber tree plants can be very large plants that have large glossy leaves that give them their name!
If you own one of these indoor plants, you may already know that the sap on these plants is very sticky, milky and runs out quite prolifically when the leaves fall off. If this sap comes into contact with your skin, it can cause irritation. Also, it can cause vomiting or diarrhea if you get it in your mouth.
Thankfully, it is only mildly toxic, but this should be kept in mind when handling the leaves of the rubber plant. Now that we have established this fact, we can talk about how to propagate the leaves for new plants.
This should also be kept in mind when owning a rubber plant if you have small children or pets. It is toxic to them also and should be kept away from them, especially when the leaves fall off the plant and the sap tends to run out of the exposed stem.
You will also want to protect the surface of the table or counter that you are working on from the sap. The sap will make a mess of any surface it comes into contact with, so take a few steps before you start working to protect it. Use a few layers of newspaper to protect it and you’ll be good!
It would also be a good idea to wear protective gloves when you are working with the leaves to avoid getting sap on your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. Of course, this is a personal choice, but it can prevent you from having any skin irritation from the sap.
The best time to propagate your plant is in the early spring to late summer months. This will give your plant time to take hold and do well because it is the prime growing season during those months.
You’ll need to cut off the top of the stem with several leaves attached. Individual leaves are able to grow leaves but unless they have a part of the stem attached they will not grow at all. Once you make your cutting, remove the bottom leaves from the plant and wash the sap from the stem.
Rubber Plant Propagation
There are a few different methods when it comes to rubber plant propagation. There’s water propagation, soil propagation and air layering. We’ll discuss all 3!
Propagating a Rubber Plant by Water Propagation
People say there are 3 ways to propagate a rubber plant but the only way I’ve done it and personally the way that I found to be the easiest is the water method. I personally like this method the best because I can see the roots forming! Here’s how to do it.
1. Find a Healthy Stem on your Mother Plant
First up, you need to find a healthy mother plant to propagate your stem from! Before you make any cuts the parent plant, be sure to identify the leaf nodes along a healthy stem.
Nodes are the bumps on the side of the stem that protrude out a bit. This will be where the new roots will eventually grow. The stem cuttings should be about six inches long and have at least four leaf nodes to ensure success for the new cutting to grow properly.
2. Cut a Section to Propagate
Be sure to use clean cutting shears and cut your mother plant’s stem at a diagonal. Remember to have enough length on your stem that when you pot it in soil you’ll still see plenty of plant growing!
After you get your clipping, cut off any leaves that will be in the water. You don’t want these to start rotting and contaminating the water.
3. Put in Water
Take the portion you cut off the mother plant and place the stem in water. You should begin to see roots growing on your cutting within a few weeks. It can take longer, but you can check to see when the roots begin to grow if you use a glass jar or propagation station to root them in.
4. Wait for Roots to Form
One thing to keep in mind is that when you propagate in water, your leaves are susceptible to rotting. Keep the water fresh and keep an eye on them so that they don’t rot. You should change the water at least weekly so it doesn’t get funky. You should start to see roots within a month or so.
5. Plant Propagated Rubber Plant Clipping in Soil
Once you see roots, your cutting is ready to plant in soil. Be sure to use well draining soil when you plant your cutting. The cutting should take hold in the soil in about a week’s time.
Rubber Plant Care
Rubber plants are fairly easy to grow. They like an ample amount of light and consistent (but not too much) watering.
Go read our full rubber plant care guide!
Rubber Plants are very beautiful plants and add a lot of interest to most settings. They are relatively easy to keep and also fairly easy to propagate. You need to remember to keep the leaves dusted off as they will gather dust and need the oxygen for proper growth.
You will have to decide which method of propagation you want to try. Maybe you will have to experiment a few times to see which one works best for you. But, in the long run, this will be one of the easiest plants to propagate. As always, keep on growing!
