Pruning Rubber Tree Plant

Scientific name of the rubber tree plant is Ficus elastica and it is also known as India Rubber Plant. The tree belongs to the fig family. The plant has its origin in the tropical countries, like India, Malaysia and Indonesia. The plant can grow very tall, about 50 feet with widespread branches. These plants require very less care and grow very quickly and hence, are popular houseplants. They are a very good choice to get some shady corners in your rooms. These trees grow very high and hence need to be pruned when placed inside house.

What is Pruning

Pruning is a procedure of removal of unwanted elements of a tree to improve its growth and beauty. Landscaping usually involves pruning of trees, which includes removing dead leaves and the unproductive and unwanted parts of a tree. The reasons for pruning a tree are - maintenance, improvement of tree (fruits, flowers, leaves) and limiting the height / growth of the tree. Pruning of a tree can be done at any time but good results of pruning can be seen if pruning is done in specific season. Every plant has a different pruning period. Pruning does not lead to any harm to the tree but improper pruning may damage the plant health. Winter or spring are usually considered as suitable pruning time. Pruning is done with help of special tools which are used, depending on the size of the tree. These are called pruners. Let us take a look at the method of pruning the rubber tree plant.

How to Prune the Rubber Tree Plant

As discussed earlier, rubber tree plants grow very tall and hence need to be pruned to fit into indoors. Pruning will help to control the height of the plant, and make it look more beautiful. These plants are strong and thus, pruning can be done in any season. However late spring or initial summer are considered to be best seasons for pruning the plant.

Before you start pruning, take a glance at the tree as you have to prune 1/3 of the tree. Ensure that you use clean, sharp and proper pruners. Wear gloves before you start pruning because the tree has white milky sap that may leak while pruning. Do not cut out too many leaves from the rubber tree plant. While pruning it, see that you make cuts above the plant nodes. The plant nodes are the ones where leaves are attached to stem or where new branches grow. Rubber tree should be pruned at a height of one foot from the soil surface. New growth will be seen right below the cut you made.

Rubber Tree Plant Care Tips

• Place them in an area with both adequate sunlight and shade.
• The plants should be fertilized every 15 days.
• These trees require accurate water and need soil that drains water well.
• The humidity level required for this plant is minimum 50%.
• Clean the leaves regularly with the help of a damp cloth.

Pruning does not damage the plant, rather it enhances its growth and improves the quality of the tree. You can give the plant a desired shape by removing unwanted leaves, branches, etc. and promote its internal growth. Ensure that you consult an expert to guide you with proper pruning techniques.