How Much Water Is Enough For A Rubber Plant

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Rubber plants have a loyal fan club and it's easy to see why. This unique, large-leafed plant adapts to a variety of conditions, is perfect for any gardener's skill level, and very rarely has disease or pest problems.  Rubber plants can even  reach heights of 6 to 10 feet tall with the right care and container size. A rubber plant is a low-maintenance tree you want in your home for all of its benefits, but there are still some needed tasks you'll have to do to keep it healthy. Especially during the drier winter months, you'll need to make sure that your home has the proper amount of humidity and that your rubber plant is properly watered. Too much moisture can cause root problems like root rot, while too little slows growth and leads to leaf drop. You will know the amount of water you provide your rubber plant is enough when the soil is moist but not soggy or oversaturated. Finding this sweet spot can be a little challenging, but once you get it, watering becomes very easy.

The watering needs of your rubber plants change with the seasons. Spring and summer are considered the growing seasons for rubber plants so they will automatically need more water during this time. During the winter, the rubber plant is dormant and growing slows down, so they need a lot less water.  This is one of the simple tips that will keep your rubber plant happy all winter. You will increase watering sessions again when spring comes. The environment in your home such as the light levels, temperature, humidity, and the size of the pot your rubber plant is in will also affect how quickly the soil dries out, so learning to check the moisture levels properly matters more than following a fixed schedule.

Overwatering, one of the common mistakes to avoid when caring for a rubber plant, is a lot easier to prevent when you regularly check your soil's moisture levels. Before watering, allow the top 1 to 2 inches of your plant's soil to dry out during the warmer months and 2 to 3 inches in the winter. You can check this by sticking your finger into the soil. If the soil is moist, wait a couple of days and do the finger check again. If you are worried that you won't detect dryness appropriately with your finger, you can get a moisture meter like this Raintrip soil moisture meter to check your moisture levels. Just stick the probe into the soil and read the rating on the meter.

There's another downside to overwatering: Sitting water can cause root rot to develop in your rubber plants. If your rubber plant pot sits in a saucer, make sure to empty the dish about 5 minutes after you have watered your plant. On average, your rubber plant will need to be watered once every 5 to 7 days but it's better to rely on the moisture level of the soil rather than the number of days for the best accuracy. Use room temperature water to avoid shocking the roots, and give it a good soaking.