The Ficus elastica, also known as the Rubber Ficus, is an indoor plant that you will appreciate for its beautiful green foliage. In a very bright and perfectly adapted environment, the plant can reach up to 3 meters in height.
Si the Ficus elastica is easy to maintain, its watering constitutes a very important element of maintenance that it will be necessary to take care to practice with attention not to lose the plant. How to properly water a Ficus elastica? We tell you more in our article dedicated to watering this magnificent houseplant of tropical origin.
What are the plant's needs to take into account when watering a Ficus elastica?
Ficus elastica needs a certain amount of moisture to grow, but it is not as water hungry as other varieties of Ficus. It will therefore be necessary to water it very regularly but never in abundance. This watering should be done when the soil is dry, with water at room temperature. In addition to regular watering, you will ensure that the environment around the plant is always sufficiently moist.
For this, you will be able to moisten the leaves of the plant once a week. By spraying water regularly on the leaves of Ficus elastica, you will greatly improve the quality of the foliage and prevent the leaves from drying out. This misting of the leaves will be particularly recommended in summer, when temperatures are higher, or in winter when the air is drier because of the heating. If you don't want to do this manually, you can also install a fogger near the plant. It will thus benefit from a humid atmosphere without you having to do anything. To bring more humidity to a Ficus elastica, you can also install its pot on a level of clay balls that you have previously moistened.
It is important to know that Ficus elastica needs a well-drained soil. This must always be well packed and watered moderately.
How often to water a Ficus elastica?
Ficus elastica is a tropical plant native to wetlands. This is why it will badly need water to grow and develop. If the Ficus elastica is used to tropical climates, it can still develop in climates found in mainland France.
So that your Ficus elastica can grow in the best possible conditions, you will have to water it at least once a week. In summer, the Ficus elastica will then be in full growth period. You will then have to let the substrate dry halfway so that the plant can benefit from permanent hydration. If the ambient air is dry enough, you will then be able to increase the frequency of this watering up to twice a week while paying close attention to the condition of the soil.
In winter, watering may be less frequent. Temperatures are lower and water evaporates less quickly from the plant. During this period between autumn and winter, the plant will be in full vegetative rest and watering can therefore be greatly spaced out. Always make sure that the soil is dry between two waterings to avoid any excess water.
What precautions should I take to water a Ficus elastica?
Ficus elastica is a drought-prone plant. Thus, you will take care to provide it with an atmosphere which is sufficiently humid.
If the Ficus elastica needs a lot of water, you must still take care that it is not present in excess. If your Ficus elastica is losing its leaves, it may be because its roots have been in the water for too long. From then on, the plant is in pain and it then begins to no longer pushing properly. A loss of leaves can therefore be due to excessive watering but also to watering with water that is much too cold. The thermal shock between ambient temperature and cold water can then be bad for the good development of Ficus elastica. Watering must therefore remain moderate and be done with lukewarm water.
If the leaves of your Ficus elastica are starting to turn yellow, you've probably overwatered it. In this case, you must absolutely stop watering to allow the soil to dry out. You can then resume watering moderately, while respecting a period that allows the soil to dry out between two waterings.
If it is used to hot and humid climates, the Ficus elastica will be able to thrive in your environment with a suitable watering. While it is fairly easy to care for, the Ficus elastica will still need a lot of light, well-drained soil as well as a good amount of moisture.
