Why Is My Rubber Plant Not Growing? (Causes+ What To Do)

Rubber Plant is one of the most popular indoor plants. It is a very adaptable plant, but sometimes it can struggle to grow.

People often wonder why is there rubber plant not growing? Is it supposed to grow slow or something is wrong with them? Let’s find out!

Lack of proper lighting conditions, inadequate watering, and using the wrong soil type are major causes of stunted growth in the rubber plant. Try to provide a bright spot with well-draining soil and adequate watering to see a rubber plant’s rapid growth. Rubber plants can also go dormant during winters.

Apart from those common issues, there can be quite a few reasons for stagnancy in the rubber plant’s growth. The reasons are listed below:

• Abnormally high or low humidity levels
• Underwatering or Overwatering of plants
• Lack of nutrients in the soil
• Pest attacks
• The choice of soil or timing of plantation is wrong
• The plant may be stressed out
• Repotting the plant again and again

Yes, it’s a matter of concern why your rubber plant is not growing, but you can always reduce your stress by identifying the root cause and taking quick measures.

You should still understand what your plant needs when you get your plant home, and we are here to make it easy for you. Read further for details.

How quickly do rubber plants grow?

Rubber plants can become a focal point with their glistening foliage. They can reach up to 20 feet high in a few years, touching the ceiling, but their growth and height will be restricted if you keep it indoors.

The baby rubber plant will fill your space quickly and great for growing indoors to adapt easily to the environment.

The mature ones are used to a spacious environment, so they will not be able to adjust to your indoor space, but consistent care will help them adapt and spread their branches.

Also read: How fast do rubber plant grow?

My rubber plant stopped growing

Rubber plants are sturdy and very easy to grow, which means you will have a great time nurturing them.

The reason that your rubber plant has stagnant growth or no growth is they are not happy with your care routine.

All you have to check is where you are going wrong.

Growing rubber plant at wrong time of the year

Season matters while growing your rubber plant. Choosing the wrong time to grow your plant or planting your plant at the wrong time and waiting for its growth will give you a long halt.

Creating unnecessary stress by over giving them light, water, or fertilizer will not just hold rubber plant growth but can also lead to their death.

Even if you have planted your plant in the growing season, you will hardly see any growth in the dormant season. Don’t panic; they will speed up their development in the growing season, i.e., summer and spring.

Humidity level is not ideal

Tropical plants love humidity; rubber plants cannot bloom in low humidity levels.

Even if you are watering adequately, but the humidity levels in the atmosphere are low, your plant cannot grow properly.

There are chances that you are not maintaining ideal humidity in the environment to keep the plant moist.

And if, due to climate issues, you are not able to maintain moisture in their living environment, then you should take the help of different solutions to thrive your plant.

Also read: Should you mist your rubber plant to increase humidity?

Your rubber plant is not getting enough light

Rubber plants’ prime need is adequate light. The light that is bright and indirect is what keeps them thriving.

If your plant is not growing, check your light source. How much light is your rubber plant getting?

If your rubber plant is not getting enough bright natural light or light for at least 6-8 hours, then the reason for stunted growth is light source or duration.

If they are getting low light all the time, whether through the natural or artificial source, it is not enough to facilitate their growth.

If they are getting leggy or stretching their branches to one side, it indicates low light conditions. Also, droopy leaves or sunburn are indications of too much exposure to direct light.

Also read: Rubber plant light requirement

You are under-watering your rubber plant

Rubber plants can tolerate under-watering to a certain limit. But if you are continually underwatering and expecting your rubber plant to flourish and grow, then you are mistaken.

Watering keeps the soil moist, provides the required nutrients, and helps them to grow. And if you are skipping watering needs for your rubber plant, be prepared for your plant to suffer.

No matter if it’s summer or winter, continued under watering is not recommended. They will even show you signs though droopy and yellow leaves.

Also read: How often should I water my rubber plant?

Lack of nutrients in soil

Good light, adequate water but not adequate fertilizer, will lack the nutrients required for growing rubber plants.

Rubber plants being houseplant and easy to maintain, don’t need much care but require the right dose of fertilizer.

Fertilizer is the source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other such nutrients to boost your plant’s growth.

Especially if you are not fertilizing sufficiently, they will give you signs through leaf drop, wilting, and slow growth.

If you still don’t get the signs, the plant will drop its growth over time.

Growing rubber plant in wrong type of soil

The right soil mix is the base of growing your rubber plant and healthy roots.

If you are growing your rubber plant in the wrong soil mix, it will give you a tough time to survive.

If the soil is too compact, it will not let the water flow with ease and make the soil soggy as the water will not drain out from drainage holes.

Along with soggy soil, airflow through the soil will also be obstructed, giving bacteria and fungus a perfect environment to grow.

It will further lead to root rot. Rubber plants do not like to sit in soggy soil at all and will not be able to flourish in its real beauty.

If your soil is poorly draining, it will not retain water and absorb nutrients from the water required to grow. Whether your plant is in compact soil or poorly drained soil, it will never grow well.

Re-potting again and again

Yes, there is a myth that if you don’t repot your plant, it will not grow, but this is not the entire truth.

Your plant demands repotting, but if you keep repotting every time you see your plant growing a little bit, it is a big mistake.

You can simply prune when you see your plant getting bushier or in bad shape. That will help the soil and roots to provide your rubber plant with a lack of food.

Since their roots are extensive, don’t repot just when you see a little of the roots coming out of the drainage holes.

Give them some more time to grow and allow your plant to grow too. Their roots are root-bound, and if repotted frequently, they will not get the environment to grow strong. They will lack in nutrients due to regular repotting.

Pests attack on rubber plant

Pests make their home in rubber plants very easily. Controlling these pests early will prevent massive damage to your plant.

If these pests feed on your plant for a long time and you have not discovered it yet, you may lose your plant.

These pests sting, suck on your plant foliage, stems, branches making them weak and deformed. In the long run, their growth will slow down and stop growing further.

If your caring routine is ideal and consistent, but your plant is not showing growth, look out for pest signs in your rubber plant.

Your rubber plant is stressed out

Lack of proper nutrients or under watering or low light levels will stress your rubber plant.

Both overdoing and underdoing is going to stress your plants out.

Stressing your rubber plant with overwatering, over-fertilizing, or scorching light, will not help.

Over-fertilizing might push their growth at first, but eventually, they will become leggy and will cause root rot and stop their growth over time.

Overwatering will weaken the leaves and cause wilted leaves and in long term root rot.

Thus providing adequate light, water, and other care is crucial to prevent stress in your plant.

How can I make my rubber plant grow faster?

There is no thumb rule or prescription for growing your rubber plant, but you can become a pro in growing rubber plants by understanding their needs and nature. 

By following the quick tips given below, you can keep in check what is right for your rubber plant.

Rubber plants are tropical plants and have low maintenance, having sturdy leaves and sturdy immunity as well. 

They can thrive in different ranges of conditions. But if you pour them with proper care, they will return your love through glossy indoor plants. 

• Water your plant every 4-5 days during the summer and spring season. Water your rubber plant once a week during the winter and autumn season. 
• As I told you, there is no prescribed rule. The best time to water your plant is when the soil is dry. Check by poking your finger or a skewer in the soil if the top 2-3 inches of the soil is dry; that’s when you have to water your plant.
• Exposing your rubber plant to a lot of light, bright and indirect, will indeed show real growth in your plant. They love light, but no direct scorching sun, just a few hours of direct sun can be tolerated. 
• Proper nutrients are needed for adequate growth and bushier plant, fertilizing them with organic nitrogen-rich fertilizer once a month will fulfill their needs. Dilute half the prescribed fertilizer to water to distribute the nutrients in the soil and roots evenly.
• Keep humidity and temperature level in your environment that you also strive for. That is the right environment for your plant too. 
• You can also take help from the humidifier to keep up the humidity levels.
• Misting every few weeks is also an easy way to keep your plant humid. 
• Repot every 2-3 years, or when you see their roots growing out from the drainage holes. Their roots are root-bound and don’t like to be repotted frequently. 
• Well-draining soil takes your rubber plant a long way. The right soil mix would be 60% garden soil with a 20-20 mix of cocopeat and perlite.
• Keep a close eye on your rubber plant as they can be infested by bugs any minute and won’t even realize. Keep checking under the leaves, the soil; if you see any specks, take immediate action.
• Keep pruning your plant from time to time to keep them in shape.
• Cleaning foliage with a damp cloth will make the leaves glossier and help them to absorb moisture easily.

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Sources: Stress Generation In Aerial Roots Of Ficus Elastica, Growth of rubber plants, Ficus Elastica care