Rubber plants are in the fig (Ficus) genus, while peperomia plants are their own genus with hundreds of species. Nell, […] Smaller plants like the African Mask Plant, Snake Plant, Anthurium, Chinese Evergreen, Peace Lily, Baby Rubber Plant, Hoya, Pothos, & Peperomia are great choices for this kind of […], Your email address will not be published. During the dormant season, your plant may only need water once or twice a month. Learn how your comment data is processed. Rubber Tree Plant Care Sun. Have a look at the list of pet safe houseplants (you’ll find the baby rubber plant on there as well!). The rubber tree plant— botanical name is Ficus elastica—is a hardy houseplant that is very easy to care for.The plant also has names such as Indian rubber tree, rubber fig, and Indian rubber bush. Peperomia obtusifolia, which I’m writing about here, is 1 of the taller ones that I’ve grown. You do not want to over water this plant and allow the soil to become waterlogged....so it might be best to lean towards less rather than too much when you first start growing Peperomias, as less harm can be caused compared to overwatering. Keep in mind that there’s a bunch of different cultivars of this plant out there, some more common than others. Over-fertilizing and pests can be caused by rubber plant leaf dropping. This interesting plant is native to many tropical climates, often found in cloud forests and rainforests growing as an epiphyte (on wood). They grew in pots in bright shade in a garden full of bromeliads & succulents. During the dormant season, your plant may only need water once or twice a month. This is a wonderful plant to start with if you’re a beginning houseplant gardener. Here’s a guide to the basics of repotting which will help you out, especially if you’re a beginning gardener. I’ve seen this sold as a plant which gets 12″ x 12″, usually in 4″ or 6″ grow pots. Or, if you’re someone like me who has many other plants to maintain both indoors and out, easy care Peperomia obtusifolias are the ticket. What’s great about Peperomia obtusifolia care is that these plants are not super demanding when it comes to lighting. Baby rubber plants love nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. I grow my Peperomias indoors here in Tucson because the winter evenings are colder & the summers are much hotter.You can put your Peperomia outside for the summer but just make sure it doesn’t get any direct, hot sun. Generally, Aphids, Spider mite webbing, scale bugs, or waxy white mealybugs are common pests of rubber plants. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435. My Variegated Peperomia obtusifolia which grows in a dish garden is now over 16″ tall & is more upright. My Peperomia obtusifolia in the white ceramic pot stands about 13″ tall. You can easily use general mixes and add a good fistful of bark or perlite to help with the drainage. The plant is commonly known as the baby rubber plant. Peperomia’s two-tone coloring and oversized, waxy leaf design make it a showstopper on any shelf. The baby rubber plant has a fairly fast growth rate, growing up to 10” inches tall and wide. Some of the stems are starting to trail & grow outward as they get top heavy. […] Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) […]. In the winter season, the … The rock keeps the roots from submerging in the water. Native to South-East Asia, the rubber tree grows on the edge of tropical rain forests. You might even want to run a humidifier, especially if the humidity is on the low side for humans as well. In both cases, you can help speed up the process by using a rooting hormone and wrapping a bag around any new plants to create a mini greenhouse that can help trap in some humidity. I have to trim an occasional spent leaf off. Many people put their rubber trees near a window where the light is filtered through a pair of sheer curtains. This will help you in determining factors as to how often you water yours. Peperomia obtusifolia ‘variegata’ care is pretty much identical to that of a normal green baby rubber plant but you do really need to keep an eye on the lighting. It appears that your plant is growing in a rather clayey soil mix, which is … Thankfully, with rubber plants being so small, getting rid of unwanted visitors is not too much of a challenge. Read my rubber plant care guide to learn more. I had a Peperomia Red Edge & a Variegated Peperomia obtusifolia growing outdoors year round in my Santa Barbara garden. Peperomia obtusifolia ‘variegata’ care is pretty much identical to that of a normal green baby rubber plant but you do really need to keep an eye on the lighting. I’ve already done a post and video on Peperomia care (all of them that I’ve grown have been easy) but wanted to do one dedicated solely to this succulent-like beauty. It can grow up to 30 m (above 100 feet) high in its native conditions. pruned & propagated my Baby Rubber Plant here, Decorating with Houseplants: A Beginner’s Guide | Joy Us Garden, Philodendron Imperial Red Care and Growing Tips, 7 Easy Tabletop and Hanging Houseplants for Beginners. Rubber plants can survive 2 or 3 days in dark but not at low temperatures. It can grow up to 130 feet tall in the wild, but will typically only grow to 5 or 6 feet as an indoor planter. My Peperomia obtusifolias have never gotten any. I live in the Sonoran Desert in Tucson and my 3 Peperomia obtusifolias thrive. ?Keep writing. Baby rubber plants like humidity, with around 40-50% recommended. Rubber Plant Care Guide Light. Peperomias are a huge family of plants, many of which make excellent houseplants. There is bound to be at least one that would grow well in your home. You can see how I planted my Baby Rubber Plant cuttings here. The rubber plant yields a milky white latex, which was formerly used to produce latex for rubber making. Peperomia obtusifolias are the only Peperomias I’ve rooted in water. It prefers & does best in bright natural light – moderate or medium. In the summer it’s once a week & in winter, every 2-3 weeks. For instance, if the air in your home is on the dry side, your houseplants will get thirstier more quickly. The plant species has a trailing stem which is why it is commonly referred to as a hanging plant. One way this happens is that a rubber tree owner will fertilize the plant too often, and this causes a rubber plant to lose leaves. The American rubber plant has watering needs typical of cacti. If you can give it just the right amount of both, you’ll have a happy, strong and tall rubber tree. Allow the top soil to dry out completely and then water thoroughly. In order to promote new leaves on a current rubber tree houseplant, cut a slit in the node where a leaf fell off. I also put mine out in the rain a few times a year for some extra moisture & to clean the foliage off. And you don’t need to be a houseplant expert to grow this one! The Baby Rubber Plant grows so fast that I’ve already pruned it a few times. Distribution and habitat: Peperomia obtusifolia is a species of epiphytic flowering plant native to Mexico to northern jungles of South America and the Caribbean. They need very little feeding. You can solve this problem by moving it to a location with more light. Learn how to care for most varieties of Rubber Tree! Once a year will usually be more than enough. Polka dot plant propagation | In water or... Propagating arrowhead plant | In water or soil! I repot mine every 5 years to freshen the soil mix or if the roots are coming out the bottom. Baby rubber plants thrive in a rich loamy potting soil. Since these plants have small root systems and don’t tend to grow all that fast, you don’t need to repot them very often. There are many cultivars of this houseplant out there, some of which with variegated leaves. Some stay shorter than others & some trail. @2015 - PenciDesign. As with any pests, be sure to keep your eye out for them & take control as soon as possible. For this type of light, it is best to place … Kitchens and offices with a south-facing window are typically great spots with just enough light, as are western-facing windows. Baby rubber plants are found in humid forests throughout Southern Florida, Central America, and South America, where they thrive off nutrients taken from tree debris. It has a compact, spreading nature and is particularly suited to growing in low or fluorescent light, making it perfect for offices and shady spots. It’s commonly called a succulent-like plant but it isn’t classified as a succulent. According to the ASPCA, Peperomia obtusifolia is non-toxic, so your pets and children are not at risk if they chew on a leaf or two. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a9008d36e117aa8d44c9bfa2d4fdd140" );document.getElementById("a5dc779987").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi, I’m Nell, and this is where I celebrate all things garden and share my passion for plants, flowers and the great outdoors. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign, Peperomia obtusifolia care | Baby rubber plant, premade mixes made for cacti and succulents, Peperomia caperata (emerald ripple Peperomia). Rubber plants can have 1 of 2 shapes: tall and thin, or short and bushy. If the plant gets less light while leaves are growing, the … Instead give your Rubber Plant a well lit spot with some indirect sun if possible.. The problem is that etiolation can occur if you grow yours in a spot that’s too dark: new leaves will be spaced further and further apart, making for a sparse look and ruining the nice bushy appearance of your plant. Ficus elastica, also known as the rubber plant, is an unusual-looking plant from the tropics of Southeast Asia with huge, soft leaves and an exotic name. The key to rubber plant care is balance. If your pet likes to chew on plants, just know that chewing on this one could make he or she sick. Although the baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) does produce flowers, the species is mostly grown for its pretty, shiny foliage. | Houseplant Central, Chinese money plant care & info | Pilea peperomioides. It might be easy to think that because it stores water in its leaves, stems & roots, just like succulents do. I’m from Bangalore, India. Rubber plants will tell you if they need more sunlight or water if they start to drop their lower leaves. The plant is easy to care for once it’s acclimated to a bright spot. Tip: Do you love baby rubber plants? Distribution and habitat: Peperomia obtusifolia is a species of epiphytic flowering plant native to Mexico to northern jungles of South America and the Caribbean. Be sure to always choose a planter that has a drainage hole, as you should for all houseplants. American Rubber Plant; Hanging Peperomia; Peperomia Obtusifolia Variegata Care Size and Growth. How to Care for Jade Plants. When it comes to watering, these plants aren’t too demanding. Its thick, glossy, leathery green leaves and fast, tall growth mean that rubber plants … Check out the funky-leaved Peperomia caperata (emerald ripple Peperomia) as well! One difference: they need a bit more light to bring out & keep the beautiful variegation. 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