Pruning a Tall Rubber Plant for Compact Growth

How to Prune Ficus elastica

Rubber plants respond well to pruning. New growth emerges just below the cut.

Steps

1. Decide desired height. Cut each main stem just above a leaf node, low enough to encourage bushiness.
2. Use clean, sharp pruners.
3. Expect a single new shoot per cut (sometimes two).
4. Sap will drip—wipe with damp cloth; it’s latex-like and can irritate skin.

Propagate the Tops

• Take 6-inch tip cuttings with 4–6 leaves.
• Remove lower leaves, leaving 2 inches bare stem.
• Root in moist peat-perlite mix in a small pot. Cover with a plastic bag for humidity.
• Roots in 4–6 weeks.

Aftercare

Place in bright, indirect light. Water when top half of soil is dry. Fertilize monthly spring–fall.