Take your rubber plant to the sink or shower and gently put them in. Use a clean, damp cloth to remove any lemon-water residue, which could cause the leaves to burn if placed in direct sunlight. Why you should clean rubber plant leaves? 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. My name is Richa and I am here to simplify all your houseplants problems and get you a healthy and thriving plant that adds to the beauty of your home. Thus, wiping them is all you can do. Take the showerhead and run the water at really low pressure. 1. Here are some steps you need to follow to shower your rubber plants: That might have sounded really easy to you, but there are a few hazards you need to be aware of. Rubber plant is a hardy species that tolerates dry soil quite well, so prefer staying on the under-watering side. Thus, in this article, we shall learn all about cleaning the leaves of your rubber plant the right way. Add a teaspoon of fresh-squeezed lemon juice -- or 1/2 teaspoon of reconstituted lemon juice -- to a pint of water in a bowl or other container and mix well. Have you ever noticed how every single plant at the florist seems to have particularly luminous leaves? 3. 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, should you repot your ZZ plant or leave them in a... How Often Do You Water Spider Plants? While wiping down might consume hours of your time, showering them is just going to take a few minutes. 4. Clean your plant by dusting the leaves thoroughly with a feather duster, clean cloth or soft brush to remove loose gunk. Plants also need water to survive, whether less or more. Mar 27, 2018 - This video will explain and show you how to correctly clean the leaves of your Rubber Plant, (Ficus elastica). link to Does ZZ Plant Like To Be Root Bound? The water you use to shower the plant must be lukewarm. The fine hairs attract dust and dirt but they can be damaged if water gets on the leaves. 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. Rubber plants typically do not need much in the way of pruning. Why are my rubber plant leaves turning brown? Allow the plants to drip dry. Also read: Why are my rubber plant leaves turning brown? Lay the second damp rag on top of the same leaf. The mayonnaise residue will require more frequent cleanings, however, due to the sticky nature of the mixture. Thus, you need to clean the leaves of your rubber plant regularly. Wash the cloth after cleaning a few leaves and repeat the process. For instance, a rubber plant will stand far more water pressure than will a begonia. After cleaning, you can use a clean microfibre cloth and rub each leaf to buff the surface and get that extra shine. Mix well until the water is sudsy. Always make sure you are extra careful while working with young leaves as those are delicate and can be harmed easily. A study has found that these products can block the small pores on the leaf’s surface. Much like your television, vases and shelving, if left unattended, your houseplant's leaves will become covered with dust, dirt or stray pet hair. You can use home remedies, or household products to shine the leaves of your houseplants. Place this hand under the leaf of the rubber tree plant. You can use milk, vinegar, or similar natural ingredients from your home to shine up the leaves of your rubber plant. However, the final choice of which route to choose will depend upon the plant size, space, and resources you have, and finally, your choices. Quiet Operation for Large Room Use: Ultrasonic humidifiers are incredibly silent,... 4L Tank Capacity & Mist Adjustable: Over 1.06 gallon of water lasts for 12-50 hour... 95mm Water Inlet: Allows you to refill and clean the machine with ease and... 3-IN-1 FUNCTION -- can be used to test soil moisture, pH value and sunlight level,... Double-Probe Detection -- quick and easy to insert into the soil and get you more... No Battery Required -- plug and play, save you from changing the battery. 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. Houseplant leaves tend to get dusty, and if they are in the kitchen they get greasy. Please note: Simplify Plants is reader-supported. Leaves that turn yellow and brown and drop signal over … However, you need to be aware of the right method, hazards, and use the correct cleaning agent to bring that lustrous shine on the leaves. Also, there are some harsh chemical products available in the market that are economical and does the job well. Also, another common problem is the lack of space in your home. If the water from the shower doesn’t drain well, then it might lead to conditions like root rot and fungal infection. If you are struggling with these issues, then go with the wiping method we discussed earlier. However, if you think you can give your plant a quick shower, then go ahead and give this a try. A nice clean leaf is shiny and attractive as it is - no additives needed! Method 2 of 2: Cleaning Large Leaf Plants. Small plants that can’t handle the force of a spray can be cleaned by holding the base of the plant at soil level, inverting it into a bucket of water, and swishing the leaves about. Rubber plants earned their name thanks to their sap, which is sometimes used to make rubber. 100% AUTOMATED DRIP IRRIGATION KIT: Combine pump and (30) day timer in 1 automatic... SCIENTIFIC WATER-SAVING DESIGN: Use 70% less water than traditional spray & drip... DIGITAL TIMER DISPLAY: Featuring an extra-large LCD screen with bright, easy-to-read... 【Full set of gardening tools】GIGALUMI gardening tool set consist of 11 tools. The rubber tree plant has broad leaves that, similar to other flat surfaces in your home, can get dirty or dusty. However, at first, you need to pick whether you want to go with a natural or chemical way. Drain Smart 6” 5-Pack Drainage Discs - Perfect for Indoor/Outdoor Potted... Govee Temperature Humidity Monitor, Bluetooth Room Humidity Sensor with APP... Why Is My Spider Plant Turning Yellow? But don’t worry, in this article, we will teach you how to clean your rubber plant leaves like a pro. You could also wrap plastic wrap around the base of the plant to contain the soil while cleaning. Hello, My name is Richa, and this is where I share my passion for indoor plants. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Plants with smooth leaves are easy to shine. It’s not because they’re healthier or better taken care of than your house plants – it’s just because they have a little bit of extra help when it comes to keeping the dust and grime away! Be sure to remove dead and dying leaves, and prune your rubber plant so it grows into the shape you’d like it to have. Use a sponge and soapy water to gently wipe leaves for a healthier shine; you can also try using olive oil. These plants will grow tall and produce beautiful leaves if you give them proper care. When they're dusty or greasy, they loose their shine. Clean plant leaves with milk or beer. Press together. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers with no extra cost added to you all! Showering your rubber plant can be a quick and easy way to clean your rubber plant leaves. Apply the lemon-water mixture to rubber tree leaves that have dirt that cannot be removed with plain or soapy water. I can understand it can be daunting for a new hobbyist to clean their rubber plant. Just make sure to support the soil in the pot with your hands so it doesn’t fall out when you turn the plant upside down. The rubber plant leaves develop white scars from feeding and there will be tiny black flecks of fecal matter left behind. So, with that out of the way, let us look at some natural leaf cleaning agents. If you are not careful with the water temperature, the amount of water you use, or the process of cleaning, then you might end up damaging the beautiful foliage of your rubber plant. In this case, use a soft brush such as a small craft paintbrush, a soft-bristled toothbrush or something like a mushroom brush to clean plant leaves. Or if you want your rubber plant leaves to shine really well, you can go with commercial products as well. Place your second hand on top of the second rag. They accumulate dust just like everything else in our home, but spending a little time every couple of months doing a spot of cleaning will really help keep your plants healthy and looking fantastic. 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. 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. Here’s a rubber plant I did with White Oil >> See the leaves below on the left are milky and dull looking? Some links in the post are affiliate links and I get a commission from purchases made through links in the post. Like any other houseplant, a rubber plant also needs light and carbon dioxide for the process of photosynthesis. Cover the palm of one hand with one rag. To help with photosynthesis you must clean your houseplant leaves regularly. This method is a good way to clean rubber plant leaves or any big leaf plant. Gently wipe both sides of all of the leaves to remove any dust and grime. Whereas if you have a large plant, then moving them into a shower is not a possibility. Too cold or too hot water can harm the leaves of your rubber plant and shock the plant. If you’re new to plant parenting, a rubber tree is the plant for you! The leaves of the rubber plant play a similar role to the skin for our body. As the layer of dust or grime buildup on the leaves’ surface, the plant starts to struggle while exchanging gases and absorbing sunlight. Now that you’ve learned how to clean houseplants, you can put these suggestions to work. Use a clean damp cloth to remove any remaining soap residue. However, these chemicals are bad for the plant as well as a human being. It would help if you were careful while cleaning the leaves of your rubber plant. It helps excrete excess water, exchange gases, and absorb sunlight. (Brown Tips+Brown Spots), Why Is My Spider Plant Not Growing? But indoors, a rubber … During the dormant season, your plant may only need water once or twice a month. Using this process, rubber plants take in carbon dioxide and sunlight from their leaves to produce sugar and oxygen. Use a sponge or a soft cloth to wipe each leaf gently -- on top and underneath -- to remove any dried dirt. Source: OHIO state university, Wageningen Research. Both options will give your plants a nice shine. I wouldn't use Windex, and although there are products that are supposed to make the leaves shine, I would avoid those, because they can clog up the leaves' pores. Rubber plants’ water needs vary according to season: In the growing season (summer), the plant should be kept moist. A number of homemade cleaning treatments, starting with water, can be used to clean and even add shine to your rubber tree plant's leaves. 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