Rubber plant has gotten too big!
by
Donna Creecy
+7
I saved a good-sized rubber plant from my brother’s funeral two years ago. This past spring we took it outside to let it enjoy the warm weather. It thrived...boy, did it thrive! Now it’s too big to bring in through the door! We’re starting to have pretty cool nights. What to do?!! Can it be trimmed or divided without killing it? Any help is appreciated!
Suggested Project Book
Yes, you can prune it, but in order to start new pieces into plants you need to use this method; make a shallow cut in the branch, not more than a quarter of the way through it, preferable not far from it's origin, and use some cellophane wrap to pack damp sphagnum moss around it. Keep an eye on it, and be sure to keep the moss damp. You can do this with a spray bottle. With a little luck in about two weeks you should see some roots sprouting from the area you made a slice in. At this point you can now make another cut right below it, all the way through this time, while being careful not to damage the roots. If desired swish the bottom part in a root treatment solution before you plant it in some good potting soil. This technique also works for starting poinsettas.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/rubber-tree/prune-rubber-tree.htm
Just prune them and whatever you cut, put them in water, they will root and pretty soon you will have plenty of new plants to keep or share. That's how i end up wih more and more plants every year
When my mother's plant got to nearly ceiling height, she sold it to a restaurant for their lobby. (And then went out and bought another to start over!)
Thank you so much, Angel! I’ll try this and see if it works. The plant is very pretty, but it also has a lot of sentimental value. I appreciate your help!