Care Instructions For Rubber Plant

I was given a rubber plant and I do not have good luck with plants. I live in the country and have a high ph in my water as well as other minerals, should I get water from town or distilled water. And it was a large plant when I got it and its roots look weird to me I mean I can see them up at the top above the dirt, is this normal? And I am not sure I get what is meant by root ball when replanting. Anyway I really want to keep this plant.

Plant Expert Reply: Well water is usually fine for houseplants. That is unless your water ph is over 7 or your mineral content is way out of line. If you can drink your well water, you should be ok to use it.
The root ball is the mass of soil and roots attached to the base of the plant. Most plants want their roots to be covered, yet they don't like soil pile up against their trunks. However, it sounds like your plant needs more soil to cover the roots. You need about a 1/4" of soil covering the roots. You can do this by simply adding a little soil to your container or you can completely re-pot the plant. Do not pile soil up against the trunk.
Since you are new to Rubber Plants, you might want to follow these Rubber Plant Care tips:

1. Keep the plant moist but not soggy. Rubber plants love a humid environment, so mist the air area around them every few days. Be sure to use luke warm water when misting.
2. Give them light. Rubber plants like a lot of light just not all-day direct light.
One more tip: Don't be surprised if it drops some leaves. Anytime you move Rubber plants from one location to another, they go through transplant shock. If you follow the rubber plant care tips, the plant will bounce back in couple of weeks.

Top 5 "Thank You" Flower Arrangements, same day delivery

Nothing Says "Thank You" Like A Bouquet of Beautiful Blooms
Your local florist makes it easy to say "Thank You!" Sometimes the best thank you is a little recognition, and having flowers delivered to them at the office never fails to brighten someone's day. Here is FSN's choice for the Top 5 Thank You flower arrangements!

#5 Tulip Tribute Floral Design

This flower arrangement has sophistication and style. Send this design to your most classy friends!

#4 Thank You Blooms

This fun and funky design features playful Gerbera daisies. It's sure to please any girly gal.

#3 Hip Hip Horray!
We love the bright colors in this one, perfect for springtime!

#2 Beyond A Bud Vase
This Thank You bud vase uses incredibly unique flowers to pull off a stunning display. Perfect for the creative people in your life.

#1 Cup O Cheer
This spring flower arrangement is extra special because of the cute coffee mug that it comes in. Your friends will always be reminded of your special gift!

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#7 Dracaena

This plant is as impressive as its name. It bears tufts of long, narrow, deep green leaves edged in red at the tips of woody gray stems. Young plants are shrubbier, but soon grow more upright. The variety 'Tricolor' has pink-and-cream leaf margins, and is sometimes known as rainbow plant.

Its grassy leaves on tall stems give it a festive appearance.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 65-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 10 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Jade Plant

If watering is an issue, jade plant may be for you. This slow grower can survive for decades if it has bright light and stays dry. It combines well with cacti and other succulents. It appreciates normal room temperatures during the growing season, but grows best if you keep it on the cool side and just moist enough to prevent leaves from shriveling through winter.

It's a low-water, treelike plant with interesting, gnarly branches and succulent, fleshy leaves.

Growing Conditions: Bright light; 65-75 degrees F., 55 degrees F. in winter; keep moderately dry

Size: To 6 feet tall and 3 feet tall
Peperomia

Peperomias are a diverse group of small houseplants with waxy and often highly textured leaves. Red-edge peperomia (pictured) has a narrow band of red surrounding a wide creamy leaf margin. Other peperomias we love include ripple peperomia, watermelon peperomia, baby rubber plant, and silverleaf peperomia.

Its waxy, colorful foliage adds a splash of color in any room -- without taking up a lot of space.

Growing Conditions: Low to medium light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 1 foot tall and wide

Norfolk Island Pine

The secret to keeping Norfolk Island pine healthy is to give it ample light and humidity. In low light, the lower branches may turn brown and fall off. If the air is too dry, it becomes a prime target for spider mites, a common houseplant pest. In its native habitat, Norfolk Island pine can reach 200 feet tall, but don't worry -- indoors, it seldom grows taller than 10 feet.

This tree is perfect for decorating for Christmas -- or giving as a holiday gift. Outside the holidays, its soft texture adds a cozy feeling to any room.

Growing Conditions: Bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide

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#6 Cast-Iron Plant

One of the toughest you can grow, cast-iron plant withstands neglect, low light, low humidity, and a wide range of temperatures. It grows slowly so purchase a plant that is large enough for the space in which you intend to use it. Several varieties have white or yellow variegation on their leaves.

This plant really lives up to its name: It's nearly indestructible.

Growing Conditions: Low light; 45-85 degrees F.; keep evenly moist during active growth, barely moist in fall and winter

Size: To 2 feet tall and wide
Chinese Evergreen

This plant has great foliage; the leaves are punctuated with shades of silver, gray, or shades of green making Chinese evergreen an attractive choice to brighten low-light areas of your home. Take a cue from shopping mall plantings and use Chinese evergreen as a ground cover around an upright, treelike houseplant. Or showcase it alone as a specimen plant.

It's extra tough and has attractive leaves that brighten low light spots.

Growing Conditions: Low to medium light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep evenly moist

Size: To 3 feet tall and wide

Croton

While this showy shrub survives in low light levels, its foliage shows the best color in bright spots. Its gold, pink, and orange tones glow when backlit from a sunny window. Wash the leaves occasionally to maintain their shine and keep it looking dramatic.

It has beautiful, leathery leaves with exotic and colorful markings.

Growing Conditions: Bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings
Size: To 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Dieffenbachia

Several closely related species share the common name of dieffenbachia. All produce cane like stems with lush foliage variegated in green and white. Grow one by itself to for a tree appearance or several together in a single container for a shrubby look. One of the plant's common names, dumb cane, comes from the effect of the toxic sap that if eaten causes swelling and numbness in the mouth and throat.

Its large, green-and-white leaves create a decidedly tropical look to any room of your home (and it's great for decorating decks and patios in the summer).

Growing Conditions: Low to medium light; 60-80 degrees F.; keep evenly moist

Size: To 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide

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#5 Schefflera

Also commonly called umbrella tree, this plant offers glossy foliage with leaflets that radiate out from a central spoke, similar to the ribs of an umbrella. A close relative, dwarf schefflera (Schefflera arboricola) has smaller, thicker leaflets and shorter stems. Both are sometimes classified in the genus Brassaia.

Its large glossy green leaves create instant tropical flair.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep the soil evenly moist

Size: To 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide
Fiddleleaf Fig

Fiddleleaf fig is a beautiful tree that gets its common name comes from the violin-shape outline of its leathery, deep green leaves. It tolerates low light well, though it may lose its lower leaves in dim spots. If your fiddleleaf fig grows too tall, prune stems back to the desired height, or start a new plant by air layering elongated shoots.

This is one of the classiest-looking indoor trees thanks to its big leaves and the shape it forms as it grows.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 65-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 15 feet tall and 5 feet wide
Green Dracaena

Some varieties of green dracaena, such as 'Janet Craig' have solid green leaves. Others such as 'Warneckii' (pictured), bear white, cream, gold or chartreuse stripes on their foliage. All form compact rosettes when young, but eventually become striking upright foliage plants. They tolerate low light, but produce better color in medium to bright light.

It's a durable, upright plant with good-looking leaves.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 65-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Note: This plant is poisonous if eaten or chewed on by dogs.
Boston Fern

Boston fern's arching, lacy fronds make it well suited to hanging baskets or for display on a pedestal. Don't let its delicate appearance mislead you, though: This tough plant that will live for decades if you keep it moist and give it moderate light and enough humidity. The variety 'Dallas' is more compact and more tolerant of dry air.

Boston ferns create a classic feel in any room. Their beautiful, arching fronds work well with any decorating style -- but especially cottage and country.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep evenly moist

Size: To 4 feet tall and wide

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#4 Corn plant
Don't confuse this plant with the vegetable of the same name. This beautiful houseplant offers variegated leaves and a single upright stem -- so it resembles a decorative corn stalk without the ears. Plant several together in a large container for a fuller appearance.

Here's a tip: If your corn plant grows too tall, cut back the cane to a foot or two above the soil and new shoots to form below the cut.

It bears colorful yellow-and-green-striped straplike leaves on an upright stem.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 10 feet tall and 3 feet tall

Ponytail Palm

Despite its common name, this plant is a succulent rather than a true palm. Its graceful arching leaves are always attractive and its swollen trunk looks great, too. (The trunk holds moisture for the plant.) Keep your ponytail palm in a container only a couple of inches wider than its trunk base to control its size. It is sometimes sold as Nolina recurvata.

the trunk actually stores moisture, ponytail palm can survive for long periods without watering.

Growing Conditions: Bright light; 65-75 degrees F., 50-55 degrees F. in winter; allow the soil to dry between waterings

Size: To 10 feet tall and 4 feet wide
Rubber Tree

An old-fashioned classic, rubber tree gets its name from the sticky, milky sap it exudes if injured. It eventually grows into a large tree, but you can easily keep it shorter by pruning back long stems, causing it to branch into a multi-stemmed shrub.

Note: In frost-free areas, you may see rubber trees as a full-size shade trees outdoors.

Its big, dark green shiny leaves definitely make a statement. The older plants get, the larger they become -- a good-sized rubber tree makes a big, dramatic accent in any room.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-80 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide

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#3 Arrowhead Vine - Nepthytis

One of the most common houseplants, arrowhead vine features distinctly arrow-shaped leaves (hence the moniker). Unlike a lot of plants, there are many different varieties from which to choose. Most have variegated foliage; depending on variety, the leaves may be green with white markings or bronzy-green with pink tones. Young plants form a mound about a foot high, but stems begin to vine as they mature, so you can grow them upright on a pole or let them trail in a hanging basket.

By the way, you may also see this plant sold as Nepthytis.

The colorful leaves keep their variegation -- even in low-light spots, so this is a top pick for dressing up just about any corner of your home.

Growing Conditions: Low to medium light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep evenly moist

Size: To 3 feet tall and wide


Grape Ivy

'Ellen Danica', the variety of grape ivy pictured here is often called oakleaf ivy because its leaves are more deeply cut than other types of grape ivy. Regardless of the variety, grape ivy is a vine with tendrils that readily cling to a trellis or stake. It offers shiny, deep green leaves that create a very nice texture.

Even though it's a vine, grape ivy has more of a mounding habit -- so it's a perfect choice for lush, tidy-looking hanging baskets.

Growing Conditions: Medium light; 65-80 degrees F.; keep evenly moist

Size: To 6 feet as a vine
Hoya

Hoya, or wax plant, has waxy green leaves and waxy fragrant pink flowers. Golden wax plant (pictured) adds creamy leaf variegation to the plant's appeal. You can let the plant climb, train the stems onto a topiary, or allow them to trail in a hanging basket.

Wax plant offers beautiful flowers (that are often powerfully fragrant). It's also a low-water plant, so it doesn't mind if you forget to water it from time to time.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 55-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: Can climb or trail to 4 feet or more

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#2 Zeezee Plant

Called eternity plan,t because it lasts so long, succulent zeezee plant tolerates low light and neglect.
The thick, fleshy leafstalks are so durable that you might even think it's plastic.
It is a slow grower, so purchase a large plant if you want a big specimen.
Cut stems remain green and healthy in appearance for several weeks, even without water.

This plant is so easy it's almost a challenge to kill it.

Growing Conditions: Low to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil to dry between waterings

Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
Note: This plant is poisonous if eaten or chewed on by children or pets.
Spider Plant

You may remember this from your grandmother's house; spider plants have been grown for years and are still popular today. Look for a number of varieties -- from types with plain green leaves to others that offer foliage marked with cream or white stripes. All make handsome hanging plants that develop plantlets at the ends of arching stems. These babies readily root in water or potting soil to start new plants.

It offers tons of old-fashioned appeal and an easy-care nature.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep the soil evenly moist

Flower, house plants & Fruit Baskets, delivered

Easy House Plants : Fantastic Foliage House Plants #1

Pothos
Pothos is a low-maintenance vine. It has heart-shape leaves and can be grown as a mounding tabletop plant, in a hanging basket, or trained upright on a pole. It's not fussy about how much light it gets, but the brighter the spot, the more variegation you'll see in the leaves.

Pothos is one of the more versatile houseplants you can grow. It looks great trailing out of a hanging basket, climbing up a pole or other structure, or just left to crawl over a tabletop or mantel.



Growing Conditions: Low to bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; keep the soil moderately dry

Snake Plant

A succulent plan,t tolerates neglect extremely well. If you've had no success with houseplants other than plastic ones, give snake plant a try. In addition to the tall form pictured here, shorter, bird's-nest forms are available. All types withstand low light but appreciate brighter conditions. The only problem likely to develop is root rot if you over water the plant.

Why We Love It: It's nearly indestructible and has architectural, sword-shaped leaves

,Growing Conditions: Low to bright light; 60-85 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 4 feet tall and wide

Philodendron

Heart-leaf philodendron is a durable foliage plant that has long been the backbone of indoor gardening. It has pretty, heart-shape leaves and adapts well to low-light spots. It is often grown with stems trailing over the edge of bookshelves or large pieces of furniture.

The climbing stems can attach to a moss pole or bark slab making it easy to create an upright tower of green.

Growing Conditions: Low to bright light; 60-80 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: Trailing or climbing to 8 feet or more

English Ivy

In many areas, English ivy is commonly grown as an outdoor ground cover. But you can also use it indoors. Grow a pot of ivy on a mantel or shelf where its stems can trail down. For a more formal effect, train the stems onto a topiary form. It's also exceptionally easy to start new plants: Simply cut off a 5-inch-long section of stem, remove the bottom leaves, and pot it up in moist soil. If you keep it moist, the cutting should root in a couple of weeks.


It's a versatile vine plant with deep green or variegated leaves. We especially love using it to create topiaries.

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 55-70 degrees F.; keep evenly moist

Size: Climbs or trails to 6 feet or more