Although mineral oil is a popular choice for cleaning other glossy houseplants, never use mineral oil to clean your rubber plant's leaves. Welcome to SimplifyPlants.com. With some general rubber tree plant know-how and a few common garden materials, you can help prevent further leaf loss and reclaim the health of your plant. The running water should take away most of the dust buildup. 1. They also grow well outside in temperate climates. Take the showerhead and run the water at really low pressure. Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise mixed with a pint of water in a bowl and applied with a sponge or soft cloth to give your rubber tree plant leaves a natural shine. While wiping down might consume hours of your time, showering them is just going to take a few minutes. Leave the plant in the sink or shower for the water to dry. Use a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining soap residue. Cleaning the leaves of your rubber plant is as important as cleaning our skin. As unbelievable as it might seem, milk is the perfect product to get a healthy-looking plant. A member of the Ficus family, rubber tree plants can grow up to 50 feet tall but are typically grown to 6-to-9 feet indoors. Also, another common problem is the lack of space in your home. 5. When it comes to a plant like a rubber plant with large foliage, we need to clean them frequently. Using this process, rubber plants take in carbon dioxide and sunlight from their leaves to produce sugar and oxygen. Rubber plants are commonly seen in their dark green variety, but also come in more colorful varieties. Rubber plants typically do not need much in the way of pruning. You could also wrap plastic wrap around the base of the plant to contain the soil while cleaning. Apply the lemon-water mixture to rubber tree leaves that have dirt that cannot be removed with plain or soapy water. So, let’s get started. It would help if you were careful while cleaning the leaves of your rubber plant. Thus, you need to clean the leaves of your rubber plant regularly. When dry, take them back into the house. Wash the cloth after cleaning a few leaves and repeat the process. Usually, there are two ways to clean your rubber plant leaves. I said nope he’s good, he just needs a good clean up! With its glossy, leathery leaves and upright form, it’s a striking addition to almost any room in your house. A rubber tree plant requires only a small amount of plant food and water to thrive. But if you want to go with any commercial product that you can simply spray and wipe, then Miracle-Gro Leaf Shine and Schultz Plant Shine Leaf Polish would be an ideal choice. Our guide will explain why cleaning shouldn't be neglected, why it has major beneficial effects, before we will take you through the various techniques and which is best for which type of plan… So, avoid using them in the first place. Leaves that turn yellow and brown and drop signal over … If your rubber tree plant seems to be losing lots of leaves for no apparent reason, you need to investigate and address potential issues with light, temperature, moisture, pests and fertilizer. However, there are two crucial factors here. Watch for droopy leaves, which indicate a need for more water. (Watering Requirements+Tips). Wash the leaves underneath and on top. If you just bought a new ZZ plant home or your ZZ plant has suddenly stopped growing, then you might be wondering if the plant is root-bound. Learn how to care for, clean, and propagate a Rubber Plant as well as troubleshooting why your Rubber Plant is struggling! Microfiber cloths or cheesecloths work well for cleaning plants. Mar 27, 2018 - This video will explain and show you how to correctly clean the leaves of your Rubber Plant, (Ficus elastica). The water you use to shower the plant must be lukewarm. Much like your television, vases and shelving, if left unattended, your houseplant's leaves will become covered with dust, dirt or stray pet hair. With my experience of keeping plants for several years, I have learned a lot about them and how to keep them alive and thriving and so here I am to pen down my experience for all of you. Once a year, put your plants in the shower and spray them all over with lukewarm water to remove any grime that’s been building up. Let’s dive into the details of both of these methods: Wiping down your rubber plant leaves is the most preferred and straightforward way to clean them. Please note: Simplify Plants is reader-supported. Cover the palm of one hand with one rag. 4. Have you ever noticed how every single plant at the florist seems to have particularly luminous leaves? Does ZZ Plant Like To Be Root Bound? But don’t worry, in this article, we will teach you how to clean your rubber plant leaves like a pro. However, if you think you can give your plant a quick shower, then go ahead and give this a try. (Signs+When To Repot). Also read: 7 signs your rubber plant is dying. A study has found that these products can block the small pores on the leaf’s surface. Using a spray bottle or moistened towel, gently brush across leaves to remove accumulated dirt. Baker also has a culinary arts degree from Johnson & Wales University and has his own catering business. Gently wipe both sides of all of the leaves to remove any dust and grime. Have you noticed dust on your house plants? Rubber plants’ water needs vary according to season: In the growing season (summer), the plant should be kept moist. Rubber trees will grow well in most homes with just a little care, but they can get fairly large if you don't prune them. I usually prefer any of these natural mixes that are available to me. A nice clean leaf is shiny and attractive as it is - no additives needed! Now use the cloth and gently wipe the lower part of the leaves. I've got some umbrella and rubber plants in my house and they look great and don't need too much looking after. But indoors, a rubber … How to Clean Plants With Banana Peels. Lemon juice. Dunk your cloth in water and then squeeze out any excess liquid. 3. You can use milk, vinegar, or similar natural ingredients from your home to shine up the leaves of your rubber plant. If the water from the shower doesn’t drain well, then it might lead to conditions like root rot and fungal infection. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap to a quart of water into a bowl. Method 2 of 2: Cleaning Large Leaf Plants. So, blocking these will affect the overall photosynthesis process of the plant. Gently hold the leaves from the bottom and clean the top part with the cloth. Take a microfiber or cheesecloth and some cleaning agent. The rubber tree or plant (Ficus elastica decora) is a favorite houseplant with large, thick, glossy green leaves. link to Does ZZ Plant Like To Be Root Bound? Why are my rubber plant leaves turning brown? This includes wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or even misting them. (Signs+When To Repot), link to How Often Do You Water Spider Plants? Thus, wiping them is all you can do. It helps excrete excess water, exchange gases, and absorb sunlight. Hello, My name is Richa, and this is where I share my passion for indoor plants. The fine hairs attract dust and dirt but they can be damaged if water gets on the leaves. Clean plant leaves with milk or beer. Mayonnaise (optional) Tip. Both options will give your plants a nice shine. When they're dusty or greasy, they loose their shine. You can use home remedies, or household products to shine the leaves of your houseplants. This method is a good way to clean rubber plant leaves or any big leaf plant. 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