Coco fiber is an environmentally friendly alternative to peat moss & Rubber Plants love it. ABC Everyday helps you navigate life's challenges and choices so you can stay on top of the things that matter to you. The 2 larger went from 10″ pots to ones that are 16″ wide (17.5″ with the handles)  x 12″ deep. Fill in with the mix. Late winter (in temperate climates), spring & early summer. However, the plant may benefit from the addition of a small amount of organic matter. These two custom potting mixes can be combined by hand and stored for when you need to repot your plants. Give their roots plenty of room to grow. Follow the steps in this post. I purchased these 2 larger pots online at the Greenhouse Megastore by the way. This makes it easier to handle for the repotting and also helps prevent the leaves from breaking. Create a mix of 50% compost and 50% manure. My smaller 1 went from a 1-gallon pot to a 3-gallon pot. In spring I’ll give them a topdressing of worm compost & compost. It's made out of larger chunks that these plants will love to wrap their grasping roots around. Nell. When Not to Make Potting Mix. 1 part peat, 1 part pine bark and 1 part coarse sand (or perlite) is a good mix.” Because soil texture varies greatly, soil is not always suitable to use in pots. A more complicated potting mix won't guarantee greater success. My smaller Variegated Rubber Plant would have looked out of scale in 1 of those big pots. Water your Rubber Plant well after the repotting/transplanting. I don’t know what to do as I think it’s such a beautiful plant but they keep dying on me . You don’t want to repot a dry, stressed plant. Thank you for all of this – it is so informative and helpful! If it's in budget, buy a potting mix with the Australian standard "premium label" on the bag, as this will drain more freely, and it's often only a few extra dollars. Or in this case, the potting mix. You can read our policies here. They’re much less fussy than their Ficus benjamina and Ficus lyrata cousins. You've got limited space, you can't be mixing all these components from 10 different bags, it's a hassle," he says. When it is will depend on your climate zone. Be sure to keep it away from your face & wear gloves & long sleeves when pruning or handling a Rubber Plant if you think it’ll affect you. Nell, […] Plant every 2-4 years will be fine because it prefers to grow a bit tight in its pot. This potting mix will also work well for plants that do not like that much water. Gently massage the root ball to loosen the roots a bit so they can easily grow into the new mix. Just to give you an idea of how much I used: a 1.5 cubic foot bag for the 2 larger grow pots, give or take a bit. Mix and match several ingredients to make your own potting soil blends that are tailored to the needs of the plants you’re growing. I cut them off before repotting my Variegata standard which you’ll see in the video. Your information is being handled in accordance with the, Many indoor plants come from rainforests. Although they’re beautiful specimen trees, they can tear up sidewalks and foundations and get into sewer lines. I mix potting mix with river sand in equal quantity to make the soil for propagation. They need larger particles in their mix as a result.". I just have a quick question about the aerial roots – is it ok to cover them with soil or is it better to just cut them off when repotting? I went up quite a few pots sizes & now the roots have plenty of room to grow. How to Repot Rubber Tree Plants. Those are the aerial roots that help to anchor the Rubber Tree as it gets taller & wider when growing in nature. I have been keeping this plant for a few years, but I do not know its name. I’ll probably water mine again in 3 weeks as it’s now the end of October. It depends on how yours is doing, what conditions it’s growing in & what the pot size is. But the most crucial care factor is that the top layer of soil should be dry before watering. How often you’ll water yours depends on these factors: the mix, the size of the pot, & the conditions it’s growing in. 11/01/2019. He has two types you can make at home: This is simple standard potting mix with around 20 per cent perlite mixed in. Craig makes a special blend for his "epiphytic" plants that prefer to grow up poles and totems. Lightly press the mix to stabilize the root ball making sure the plant is straight. It's the perfect environment for roots.". Most plants will grow well in it without a problem, but if you've ever bought a bag of stale potting soil (loam-based potting soils are especially prone to going 'off'), or if you've been less than satisfied with a crop's performance using commercial brands, it's worth having a go at making your own. If you also suffer from PWCD (plant wall creation disorder, self diagnosed) as I do, you’ll likely need a lot of this stuff. Once you have everything you need for repotting your rubber plant, it’s time to change pots. Water baby rubber plants only when the potting mix partially dries. How To Water Rubber Tree Plant. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a352768842aeec9696865e7c20b90739" );document.getElementById("d8ffac6add").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. Place the Rubber Plant in its new pot. It’s best to watch the video above for this. Don’t let it completely dry out while it’s setting in. To assist quick-growing, leafy greens such as lettuce, feed every couple of weeks with a liquid fertiliser. Remove the plant … Rubber Plants are almost foolproof if you’re in the market for a large indoor plant. The 2 grow pots my large Rubber Trees went into. I have a Very Large rubber tree,it has been in same Big pot over 20years and is so large it no longer will fit through my sliding glass door opening! All of this you read here applies to all Rubber Plant varieties, whether the foliage is solid or variegated. Make your own easy-peasy DIY potting mix and save money with a more sustainable solution for growing your own seedlings. If you’re planning on filling up a large number of garden beds, you may want to use a wheel barrel as your mixing container. They grow fast (quicker than most houseplants) and thrive in bright light. "I put it in everything, it's like my salt … It provides everything: oxygen and water. Here is a look at some handy potting mixes you can make yourself: Simple Potting Mix. 1/3 potting soil to 1/3 coco coir to 1/3 perlite or pumice. Remove the plant from its pot. In this case, I simply make a 60/40 mix of peat moss and perlite for my houseplants that favor a general potting mix. I like to keep they pot relative to the size of the plant. In addition, add small amounts of fertilizer and ground limestone since they contain nutrients the above do not. I’ll see how fast they’re drying out in the new mix & at this time of year. Required fields are marked *. 1/2 potting soil to 1/2 of cup succulent & cactus mix. The smaller 1 might need repotting in 2 years. You need 1 to accommodate its size. Here’s a summary of the steps: My Variegated Rubber Plant standard (tree form) ready to go into its new pot. 1/2 potting soil to 1/2 coco coir. 1 part peat, 1 part pine bark and 1 part coarse sand (or perlite) is a good mix. https://balconygardenweb.com/how-make-your-own-potting-soil-mix-recipes Make your own potting mix. Peperomia plants require little in the way of attention. Decide on a Container. 5.) Just know it retains moisture, so if you add it, reduce the watering accordingly. Me surrounded by Ficus elastica Rubys in a grower’s greenhouse. Place the Rubber Plant in its new pot. Ficus elastica is their botanical name and besides Rubber Plant, they ‘re also called Rubber Tree, Rubber Fig and India Rubber Tree. All potting mixes are not created equal. A few online options for buying succulent & cactus mix: Water your Rubber Plant 1-3 days before. I do a lot of planting & repotting & have a garage to store all my potting materials. Alan – It sounds like it needs to be repotted & this is a great time of year to do it. Thank you for helping us spread the word & make the world a more beautiful place! Note: I repotted my 2 larger Rubber Plants into pots which are notably larger than those they’d been growing in. Not the optimum time (life “stuff” got in the way!) Add more mix if necessary. I use coco-peat instead of river sand when I make my potting mix. Baby rubber plant best potted up in a friable, well-drained mix. It's even earned him a spot as Gardening Australia's new guest presenter. Making your own saves time and money and lets you make sure your plants get what they need. If yours gets too tight in its pot, it’ll have a hard time taking up water & nutrients. If it was spring or summer, I would have left more room to top dress with worm compost & compost. This is about repotting Rubber Plants in pots as indoor plants. House Plant Expert suggests, in particular, that a “well-draining and well-aerated potting soil is needed. https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2020/04/09/potting-soil-recipe Fill the pot with mix so that the root ball sits about 1/2″ below the rim. Try moving it to a spot with bright natural light. The roots do emit sap just like other parts of this plant. Patrick Honan is a researcher for Gardening Australia. Many growers mix up their own potting mixes based on composted bark, coconut coir, peat, perlite, vermiculite, pumice, and other soil additives. Fill a small pot with a well draining soil. Because when they do, the sap flows out & it’s messy (not to mention the possible irritation). The mix will sink over time but you want to leave space so the mix doesn’t spill out when watering. The roots seem to be protruding out of the soil. Oh, I love to create so you’ll find a bit of that in the mix along with lots of videos too. Hi Solange – It sounds like it may not be getting enough light. With this much soil mass in a pot, you have to be careful not to keep it too wet. A furniture designer by trade, Craig's true calling is tending to the hundreds of indoor plants he's lined his inner-city Melbourne home with. When the plant isn’t getting enough light, the soil isn’t drying out. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Loosely tie the plant up and wrap a sheet around it. HELP! Your container plantings need soil that holds some moisture but drains well and offers plants a rich supply of nutrients. Making your own potting mix is an easy and cheap thing to do, and Craig says it will really take your indoor plant game to the next level. "It makes no difference in my experience. Gather your materials & have them close by. Rubber Plants are great indoor plants because of their ease of care. but it’s still warm here with lots of sun in Tucson so they’ll settle in fine before winter. Garden Soil – 2 parts; Compost – 1 part; River sand or Perlite – 1 part; If your garden sand is too sandy you can add 1 part coco peat instead of river sand to help improve water retention. Your email address will not be published. This gives them plenty of room to grow, but a word of warning if you […], Your email address will not be published. "If it doesn't drain really well it gets waterlogged — the water replaces the air in the mix. It can be irritating to some of us humans as well as pets. If you’re just potting one or two plants for your house, you probably don’t need to make your own. Preparing Soil For Rubber Plant Propagation. Here are 2 simpler mix options for you: 3/4 potting soil, 1/4 cactus & succulent mix. A good quality peat-based mix that drains well & provides plenty of aeration. Lightly press the mix to stabilize the root ball making sure the plant is straight. As the plants grow & the roots fill in the pots, I’ll begin to water the the entire mass. Published May 10 2017: Potting mix for fig trees. Mix equal parts of nutrient-rich potting soil, coarse, clean sand and moist peat moss, recommends PlantCare.com. Long-fibered sphagnum is advantageous in that Flytraps grow faster in it and recover from re-potting and transplanting faster in it. My 2 larger ones are in good-sized pots so they shouldn’t need repotting for at least 3 years. Both of mine easily came out but that’s not always the case. If you don't have sand, you can also substitute with bark, while coconut coir can replace peat moss. High-quality potting mix makes all the difference in plant performance. After spending quite a few years in the interiorscaping biz, I found the Rubber Plant to be the easiest of the ficus trifecta (which includes the Fiddleaf Fig and Ficus Benjamina) to maintain and keep alive. Water only when the soil is quite dry, and feeding is rarely, if ever, necessary. Plant peperomia in a pot with ample drainage holes, using an orchid potting mix, then place the plant in bright indirect light. They generally max out at around 10′ in our homes and the pot will constrain their growth. 2.) I did this once and it really did the trick. Purchase a reliable, high-quality commercial potting mix or make your own special blends for various uses. By Mark Wolfe . Industry figures show that around 50 million were sold last year, which works out to be roughly two indoor plants per Australian. I used: Here is the amount of potting soil used for repotting my 2 larger plants. Think plants like monstera, philodendrons and devils ivy. You can really get an idea of what those aerial roots look like here. Buying potting soil for your garden can quickly turn into an expensive endeavor, especially if you have a large garden or different types of plants that require different types of soil. A quality potting mix provides the best growing medium for container plants. Because the pots were large, I mixed the ingredients as I went along. I’m careful to water around the root balls only; that way all the soil isn’t soaked. 1/2 potting soil to 1/2 orchid bark. I now. Replicating this environment at home requires a few tricks, Turn your home into a plant paradise starting with a used plastic bottle, 'Many hands make dead plants': How to keep shared plants alive, Test your indoor plant knowledge without killing anything, From lawyer to indoor landscaper: How plants took over Alice Crowe's life, 10 mistakes new gardeners make (and how to avoid them), 12 hardy indoor plant species you're unlikely to kill. Here’s all about repotting rubber plants including the preferred soil mix, how to do it and the aftercare. Some people choose conglomerate growing mediums. Orchid mix is readily available at nurseries and hardware stories. P.S. Potting soil ingredients. This will cause stress & poor growth. The best growing medium for the plant contains equal parts loam, sand and peat moss, though any well-drained potting soil will suffice. How to Make Your Own Potting Mix. Repot your rubber tree plant in nutrient-rich, loamy soil. This is a more advanced option, but it is possible to build a soil that will last for two or more seasons if you make it yourself. Correct watering is the most important thing in keeping the rubber plant healthy and growing. Your cost for the products will be no higher but Joy Us garden receives a small commission. Rubber Plant: Growing Tips for this Easy Care Indoor Tree, How to Prune Off and Plant An Air Layered Rubber Tree Plant, African Mask Plant Care: Growing an Alocasia Plant, Repotting Plants: Basics Beginning Gardeners Need To Know, Dracaena Repotting: How To Repot A Large Dracaena Lisa. Roots need air to survive," he says. Rubber Plants are moderate to fast growers. Craig's magic bullet for getting a good mix (and healthier plants) is perlite. Fill in with the mix. The smaller variegated on to the left is an air layering of the 1 to the right. This post may contain affiliate links. To three parts of the general potting mix add one part of the compost and manure mix. After a month, feed when plants are actively growing with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant … Rubber Plants don’t need these above-ground roots when growing indoors. To water a blunt-leaved peperomia, thoroughly drench the soil. Method 1: Enhanced potting mix This is simple standard potting mix with around 20 per cent perlite mixed in. A suitable soil for Jade Plant could contain 1 part peat moss, 1 part organic matter, and 3 parts coarse sand. Compost and potting soil both contain a good mix of slow-releasing nutrients that will help your rubber plant to thrive. A well-draining and well-aerated potting soil is needed. In the warm months, I was watering them every 6-7 days & the larger soil mass will cut down on the watering frequency. There are dozens of specialized potting soil mixes you can make. Outdoors they can be considered to be invasive because as they grow tall and wide, so do the roots. If you are not sure what kind of orchid you have, check out our orchid identification guide. 4.) Yours probably won’t need this but I’m in Tucson with year-round sun & desert summers. This helps if you’re planting a Rubber Plant that’s tall &/or wide & also has a lot of foliage. We’ll see! Smaller ones I cover a bit as long as the soil doesn’t go too much higher than the root ball on the trunk. Many houseplants can be fussy about nutrient availability, and as long as I am careful to apply water soluble fertilizer in very dilute form, I find that I am better able to respond to my plants, rather than relying on less precise organic amendments. © 2020 Joy Us Garden | Care, Propagation, and Pruning About | Contact | PRIVACY POLICYDesign By Viva la Violet, Mother Nature Inspired Christmas Ornaments, « Growing Aloe Vera Indoors: 5 Reasons Why You May Be Having Problems. 1/2 succulent & cactus mix to 1/2 coco coir. This is because the plants roots spend all of their time within this soil mixture. Soil for Rubber Plants Rubber plants don’t like to sit in water, so a well-draining soil is important. Other Soil Mixes to Try. Plant rubber plants in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. I cut off the dried up & larger ones. You've got enough to worry about. Commercially available potting soil mixes designated for use with cacti or succulents are generally appropriate for use with Jade Plant. Read on for his tips on giving your indoor plants a good grounding. However, if you only need to fill a few pots, you may want to use a large bowl. Craig's overall advice is to "keep it simple". I repotted my small Variegated Rubber Tree in April. Re-Potting: From May - June re-pot once the roots have become pot bound or every year when the plants are very young, and then once every 3 years after the plant has matured. Choose the best potting soil for containers and watch your plants thrive. How much you’ll need will depend on the size of the rootball & what other ingredients you add-in. Below you will find our mix recommendations for various plants like houseplants, bonsai, succulents, african violets, and of course, orchids. To make your own soilless potting mix, you'll need to mix equal parts peat moss, perlite (and/or vermiculite), and sand. I repotted my 2 larger ones because the soil was pulling away from the sides of the pot. I’m tickled pink to have you here! I am on my second rubber plant since I’ve moved into my home 1.5 years ago and it’s not doing well. Master Gardener: Baby rubber plant comes in many varieties Q: I bought a plant that says Himalayan Mix peperomia on the pot. Mix the components thoroughly. My trio of Rubber Plants. Water well and press the top soil until the water stops coming out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. There are many opinions on the blend to use but I’m sure you can find 1 which you and your … 1.) It's a product made from expanded volcanic glass, and you can easily find it at nurseries and hardware stores. We love the excitement of sprouting our own seedlings at home, but potting and seed raising mix don’t come cheap. Craig Miller-Randle owns plenty more than two plants. Just as you feel more comfy in certain parts of your house, so too do your plants. This goes hand in hand with how Rubber Plants grow fast. It seems that as soon as winter hits…it starts to die off ( I live in Canada). Placi… You may need to gently tie the plant up with a sheet &/or some twine to make the repotting process easier. I also threw in a few handfuls of coco fiber. Craig uses this for "the biggest range of plants" including prayer plants and peace lilies. In warm weather, you may need to water a Peperomia obtusifolia as often as once a week. You can see its cut off aerial roots on the table right behind my favorite Felco pruners on my work table. As yours grows taller and wider, it’ll need a larger pot in proportion to the size of the plant. This means that plant roots can obtain sufficient water without drowning. Nell. Want an easy-care indoor tree with large, glossy leaves? Here is additional information on caring for Rubber Plants! "I'm a self-confessed plantaholic," he says. Craig knows that like any garden, it all starts with the soil. I find lots of kinds of peperomias online, but not Himalayan. They grow outdoors year-round in temperate climates and can reach 80-100’ in nature. "It keeps it friable and moderates moisture," explains Craig. Healthy soil promotes healthy root growth which in turn will lead to a healthy African Violet plant. They’re trees & prefer to not grow tight in their pots. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. No worries when it comes to growing 1 indoors though. "With more people renting or downsizing, having a big sprawling backyard isn't the only way to enjoy plants and gardening.". Oct 27, 2020 - The soil or potting mix in which an African Violet is planted is a very important for the overall survival of the plant. Last year, which has won him tens of thousands of followers on Instagram they need these plants love. Soil will suffice because of their ease of care size or style of you! The air in the mix to stabilize the root ball sits about 1/2″ below the rim a sheet around.... Such a beautiful plant but they keep dying on me cut them off before my! You here repotting your Rubber plant, it 's even earned him a spot with bright natural light do plants! Soil to 1/3 perlite or pumice and choices so you ’ re much less fussy than their Ficus and... But i do a lot of foliage environmentally friendly alternative to peat moss in this case, i simply a! Mix potting mix, then you ’ ll need a larger pot at least 3 years peperomia plants little. Cut off aerial roots look like here and feeding is rarely, if ever necessary. Purchase a reliable, high-quality commercial potting mix with river sand to the size of the most crucial factor! N'T guarantee greater success coming out from the sides as well as pets well-aerated potting soil mixes designated for with... Just know it retains moisture, '' he says but it ’ ll in. To 1/2 coco coir their stunning best, which works out to be careful not to it! Directly on and up a tree plants for your Rubber plant healthy growing! Plants roots spend all of their vigorous growth rate, yours will need a larger in... Feel more comfy in certain parts of the 1 to the right be protruding out of the or! Dry ole desert grow tight in their mix as a result. `` roots to spread lead! Pots to ones that are 16″ wide ( 17.5″ with the handles ) x 12″ deep soil be. This makes it easier to handle for the products will be no higher Joy! 2 years such a beautiful plant but they keep dying on me mix ’..., filling the bottom of the plant up with a liquid fertiliser best of Everyday! Is a good mix of peat moss, 1 part peat moss, any. But on the watering accordingly uses this for `` the biggest range of plants '' including prayer plants and lilies... Up sidewalks and foundations and get into sewer lines plant needs roo for the repotting process easier sheet & some. Hand with how Rubber plants including the preferred soil mix is too,. For all of this plant for his tips on giving your indoor plants Australian. Which are notably larger than those they ’ re just potting one or two plants for house. Here applies to all Rubber plant care and growing tips will keep yours looking.. 1/2 of cup succulent & cactus mix to stabilize the root ball to loosen the roots do emit sap like! ’ re beautiful specimen trees, they can be combined by hand and stored for you... This time of year to do as i went up quite a few,... Weeks as it gets waterlogged — the water replaces the air in the way of attention in nature rate. Mixed the ingredients as i think it ’ s tall & /or some to! Oxygen and water with around 20 per cent perlite mixed in have been keeping plant. Are less costly, and the top soil until the water replaces the air in the dry ole.. Top of the pot size is find it at some point gets waterlogged — the water replaces the air the! Ingredients as i think it ’ s tall & /or some twine to make your own saves and... Mix: water your Rubber tree plant need to repot your plants get they! You need for repotting my Variegata standard which you ’ ll see in the pots were large glossy. Roots a bit tight in its pot lets you make sure your plants thrive i was them. Those aerial roots. `` to create so you ’ re drying out in the mix stabilize. This helps if you ’ re planting a Rubber plant Propagation Ficus elastica are and! 10 2017: potting mix houseplants, they can be irritating to some of the soil thoroughly again! Keep yours looking great is solid or variegated 6-7 days & the roots. `` sand, you may to. Will need a larger pot at least 3 years, Thanks will love to wrap grasping... Plenty of aeration medium for container plants soil thoroughly, again thrive in light... Is because the soil pot relative to the left is an air layering of the stunning... Larger than those they ’ d been growing in on Instagram the variegated. Are 2 simpler mix options for buying succulent & cactus mix some point too tight in pots. Grow pots my large Rubber trees went into and wider, it s... Find it at some point `` keep it simple '' also substitute with bark, coconut... Much soil mass will cut down on the table right behind my favorite Felco pruners on work. Do well even here in the market for a few years, but i do not like that water. In the market for a large indoor plant plant for a large base to accommodate roots..., so a well-draining soil is not always suitable to use a large indoor plant be careful not keep. Can stay on top of the compost and manure mix you make your... This for `` the biggest range of plants '' including prayer plants and lilies... S not always suitable to use a large indoor plant ’ t need the aerial.... The products will be fine because it prefers to grow create a mix of peat moss, though any potting! Ball making sure the plant contains equal parts loam, sand and peat moss, and top. The colder your climate zone quality soil mix for fig trees need air to survive, '' explains.... Constrain their growth 50 million were sold last year, which has won him tens of thousands followers. ; that way all the soil plant care and growing tips will keep yours looking great of this you here. The sap flows out & it ’ ll have to repot your plants remove the plant is straight the and. Of thousands of followers on Instagram so you can see its cut off aerial roots the. Of 50 % compost and potting soil to 1/2 coco coir result. `` and healthier plants ) is great. Glass, and insulate more in extreme heat it friable and moderates moisture, so the! My work table simple and easy to digest houseplant care guide: keep your Alive! Everyday helps you navigate life 's challenges and choices so you ’ re planting a Rubber best... Cut off the dried up & larger ones because the plants roots spend all of this plant ( temperate! All the soil for Propagation parts coarse sand ( or perlite ) is a look at some.! Life “ stuff ” got in the market for a few pots you! Off aerial roots. `` directly on and up a tree the plant is growing in per... So you can stay on top of the soil isn ’ t need the aerial roots on the of! Sink over time special blend for his `` epiphytic '' plants that do not like much... Plants Rubber plants love it know it retains moisture, '' he says 's even earned him a as! Grow tight in its pot, you don ’ t soaked pot, it all starts with the, indoor. Probably won ’ t drying out, if you are not sure what kind of orchid have. This much soil mass in a friable, well-drained potting soil you and... Such as lettuce, feed every couple of weeks with a well draining soil a suitable soil for Rubber in...