Question
I have a rubber plant about 2 feet tall, and I've received conflicting advice on how to care for it.  The plant is in the corner of a room with two exposures ... north and east.  The windows are very large so the room has lots of light.  The plant is still in the plastic container it came in when purchased a couple of years ago and appears very healthy.  However, it's losing its full shape as old leaves drop off and new ones take their place. It's also growing much faster vertically than horizontally. Is there a way to prune it back to its original rounded shape without causing harm.  Also, how is the need for water determined?  How much and how often.  Many thanks in advance for any advice you might have.

Answer
Mary,

Your rubber tree would be happier with a southern exposure which would give it more sun but it wil be okay where you have it. Since it is in the same container it came in 2 years ago you might consider repotting it in the spring, anytime after April 1st, but only go to a pot with a diameter 2 inches larger than the pot it is in now. It is very hard on plants to be moved to too large of pots and frequently causes overwatering and root rot.  You should only repot plants in the spring when their roots are actively growing and only repot every 3-4 years so if you want to wait another year that is perfectly fine. It is better to wait than to repot too fast.

It is growing faster vertically than horizontally because it is a tree. It's latin name is ficus elastica. In the tropical rain forest this tree gets to be 80 feet tall. If you prune out the growing tip the side branches may grow and the main trun will stop. You will be risking it ending up looking rather distorted. This is not a plant that you ccan keep 2 feet high forever as in a bonsai tree. I am rather surprised that it is 2 years old and only 2 feet tall and is still healthy. I suggest that you just enjoy watching it grow for now and wait till it is about 6 feet tall then prune the main trun and try to develop more side branches.

As for watering, when you water give it enough that some goes into the drain tray under the pot, then you now all the soil in the pot is moist. An hour later empty the drain tray, you can use an old turkey baster for this, so it is not sitting with a tray full of water which could cause root rot. Then do not water it again until the soil is dry and the pot feels light weight when the plant is picked up or tilted. That could be 3 days, a week or 10 days depending on how rootbound your plant is, how humid your home is, and the make up of the potting soil the plant is in. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene