How to make a rubber plant's leaves grow as big as a palm

The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is an evergreen tree with alternate, single, long-oval leaves that are thick, fleshy and broad, in a rich deep green that looks almost ready to drip with fresh color; its growing tip is bright red, and when the stipules split open they hang down just like a red tassel, full of charm. The rubber plant has very high ornamental value and is a famous foliage plant for pots. Placed in a living room or study, it looks majestic and grand, and brings out a tropical flavor even more.

The rubber plant is a very easy plant to grow. It grows well both in sunlight and in partial shade, and it does not need frequent watering or fertilizing, so it falls under rough-and-ready management. Some people like the rubber plant because its leaves have a beautiful shape and attractive color. Below I will share with you how to grow it so that its leaves grow even bigger than a palm, with bright and glossy color:

Everyone knows the rubber plant is a tropical plant, and the biggest feature of tropical plants is that they tolerate drought and high temperatures, but they need good ventilation. Put your rubber plant at home in a place with plenty of sunlight and good ventilation, and do not water it all the time. In summer, watering once every one or two months is no problem; water again when you see the leaves wilting. During the periods when you are not watering, you can spray the leaves with water, since leaves all have the ability to absorb water. In winter, the amount of water should be even less. Water only when you see the soil dry out and cracks appear. But each time you must water thoroughly, and remember never to give half-hearted watering. In this way the rubber plant will not grow taller but will develop sideways, and its leaves will get bigger and bigger while the trunk gets thicker and thicker.

If you want the rubber plant's leaves to be glossy and shiny, apply some monopotassium phosphate fertilizer appropriately. Monopotassium phosphate contains phosphorus fertilizer, potassium fertilizer and ammonia fertilizer, and it has no smell; just mix it with water in the proper ratio, or you can use a compound fertilizer instead.

The rubber plant has the effect of purifying the air and absorbing smoke and dust. Placed at home it not only serves an ornamental role but can also absorb harmful substances from the air, truly achieving two things at once.