I’ve had a rubber tree for a few years now, and it’s been so rewarding to watch it grow and develop. And though I love my rubber tree, it’s frustrating when your tree seems to be “frozen.” It can be a bummer to discover that your rubber tree is not growing, and it’s even more upsetting when you can’t figure out the solution. If your rubber tree isn’t growing, there are a few possible reasons and I’ll show you how to fix it. Keep reading to learn why your rubber tree is not growing.
It Needs Better Lighting
Though rubber trees can be really tolerant of lower light levels, they aren’t ideal. In fact, poor lighting can really hinder the growth of your rubber tree if you aren’t careful. I find that my ficus trees do best sitting near a western facing window. The afternoon rays coming from the South are sometimes too harsh. The rubber tree likes indirect lighting, but a few direct rays every day aren’t going to hurt the plant.
When I couldn’t figure out why my rubber tree wasn’t growing, I moved it to a brighter corner and was instantly rewarded with more leaves.
Try More Water
A healthy rubber tree won’t need watering more than once every couple of weeks, you should make sure that when you do water, you water deeply. Let the soil dry out in between waterings and water deep enough that the soil is evenly moist. However, root rot can definitely affect rubber trees, so always make sure that you test the soil with your finger for moisture prior to watering.
I watered too frequently because of a vacation and I came home and my rubber tree had dropped all of its leaves. Keep this in mind as you go to change your watering regime.
A Little Fertilizer
All houseplants need regular fertilization in order to keep up with plant growth. Use a half-strength fertilizer when you water, three times a year, during each of the seasons. Rubber trees should not be fed during the wintertime.
Hopefully, this writeup helped you figure out why your rubber tree isn’t growing. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to me in the comment forms below with the subject line “why is my rubber tree not growing?”
