How to propagate a rubber plant from leaves? A detailed guide to the method

The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a common indoor ornamental plant, carrying the meaning of everlasting greenery and good fortune, and many people like to grow it, so how do you propagate a rubber plant from leaves?

1. How to propagate a rubber plant from leaves?

When the temperature is above 20 degrees, select some healthy, sturdy leaves free of pests and damage, then cut them off together with the petiole, disinfect the wound, and insert them into river sand or perlite. After roots grow and the plant reaches about 3-5cm, transplant it into a flower pot.

2. How to grow a rubber plant in water?

1. For water culture of the rubber plant, choose a small soil-grown plant with a good shape and grow it in water using the root-washing method. Old roots are not prone to rotting and can adapt to the water culture environment relatively quickly.

2. You can also, from May to September, cut off healthy, sturdy shoot tips, remove the leaves at the base, let the cut dry, and then root them directly in water. Because the crown is rather heavy, it is best to add ceramsite to the container, which both helps stabilize the plant and promotes rooting.

3. Remember to change the water every two or three days at the beginning; after rooting, the frequency of water changes can be reduced, and once a suitable number of aerial roots have grown, it can be moved into a flower pot for soil culture, where it will grow more robustly.

4. Management techniques after water culture

(1) The rubber plant likes a warm, humid environment; the most suitable temperature is 22~32°C, the overwintering temperature is around 8°C, and it is highly shade-tolerant. Water culture and soil culture are basically the same in terms of care methods.

(2) In the early stage of water culture, change the clean water once every 2~3 days, and after about two weeks water roots will gradually grow. When the plant gradually adapts to the water culture environment, move the container to a spot with plenty of sunlight and add a few drops of nutrient solution to the water. After rooting, change the water once every two weeks and replace the nutrient solution.

(3) Clean the container regularly. Bacteria easily breed in water culture containers, so while changing the water, clean the inner walls of the container, and every two months clean the roots of the rubber plant and prune the old roots.