What kind of plant is this and how do I prune it?

Cindy L Moss
by Cindy L Moss
  12 answers
  • Elaine Elaine on Feb 09, 2019

    It's a rubber plant..

  • Henriette Hall Henriette Hall on Feb 09, 2019

    Rubber tree plant--they don't like pruning. Just re-pot with good potting soil and fertilize with Miracle Grow--give them semi-shade--no direct sunlight.

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Feb 09, 2019

    Hi Cindy,

    Here's how to prune a rubber tree. Wishing you the best.

    https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-a-Rubber-Plant

  • Deb K Deb K on Feb 09, 2019

    Hi it's a rubber tree, Prune rubber tree plant by making your cuts just above a node — where the leaf attaches to the stem or where another stem branches off. You can also prune just above a leaf scar. Remove about a third to one-half of the plant's branches but take care not to remove too much foliage than is necessary.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Feb 09, 2019

    Ficus Elastica belongs to fig genus AKA Rubber tree plant. Do the same as Dracena but it will drip milky sap where ever you have made cuts just put piece of tissue/paper towel over end til it stops bleeding. I would not cut this one off either(although you can) this one just start pinching brand new leaves/points/ end of stalks off as soon as they form and it will grow bushier. Do them around crown/tips steadily or they will also get bushy top heavy & break. Your plants look really healthy happy. Great lighting for them The sap can make animals ill ! You can restart cut off pieces of stalks in water or soil

  • Roger Day Roger Day on Feb 09, 2019

    Air layering is the best way unless you live in the tropics!


  • Cindy L Moss Cindy L Moss on Feb 10, 2019

    Thank you all for your help

  • Bubba Bubba on Feb 10, 2019

    I think it a rubber plant, I don’t think you can prune it without it dying

  • Henriette Hall Henriette Hall on Feb 10, 2019

    Anything can be pruned if done correctly---these Rubber Trees are the plants of the tropics--think Polynesian Village atrium in DisneyWorld--remember how tall ? They are very slow growers and tend to get leggy---it does look SO healthy, I would do as I said earlier ( re-potting ) and enjoy its natural growth and beauty. You must have it in a place that makes it really happy ! They tend to get spider mite easily--check for it especially is bringing any new plants inside your home. ( google spider mite--easy to determine and easy to get rid of it soon discovered )

  • Betty Betty on Feb 10, 2019

    Hi I also think it is a rubber plant. .you have a lot of good reply. .some of what I would have said. .good luck with your plant. .

  • Michelle Bellin Michelle Bellin on Feb 10, 2019

    I really like the “ air layering “ suggestion.

    I have no clue why because I haven’t a clue what it is either!!

    i have a rubber tree in my front room. I really do just leave it alone, but check the roots for rot because they like water & indirect sunlight.

    if you must prune it, cross your fingers it turns out well. They aren’t cheap plants.

  • Em Em on Feb 11, 2019

    Snip off the tallest branch to the height of the other ones and be prepared for a gooey white sticky mess on the end. It will leak fluid until it forms a crust over the end. It is indeed a rubber tree plant.