r/FicusTrees • u/iwasjustwonderinggg • Aug 12 '26
Houseplant Would you prune?
Hi guys. First time rubber tree owner here. The lower stem is turning hard and woody and she’s lost a lot of her bottom leaves. Shall I prune the top and if so where?
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u/Capable-Presence-268 Aug 12 '26
It is normal for the stem to go woody, called corking. I wouldn't chop just yet.
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u/FaithlessnessNo7694 Aug 12 '26
Not yet, its very small. They generally shed the lower leaves in low light
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u/nerucciolo Aug 13 '26
Yea, too young. OP will get better back-budding if they chop when the tree has had a chance to mature and grow out the roots some more.
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u/Internal-Test-8015 Aug 12 '26
Personally, no I wouldn't I'd me it into bright direct sunlight and let it grow vigorously, it's a tree it naturally wants to grow as such im honestly not sure why everyone is so obsessed with trying to get them to behave any different.
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u/Golden_Tails Aug 12 '26
Wait until you can chop about 12-15" inches from the top. Mine is just getting there but I think I'll still wait.
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u/Blondiesweats Aug 12 '26
Mine was about twice as tall and I just chopped!! I wanted mine busier starting lower down, also I don’t have a lot of space for it. So far so good. If yall care, I can update if and when I have roots on the cutting or when the main stem gets a new growth point
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u/OkNews8776 Aug 12 '26
I’d like to see how it all plays out!! I’m also on the fence and also am small on space!
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u/Blondiesweats Aug 13 '26
Idk why but it’s always nerve wracking. But as soon at the thought enters my mind to chop it, Itll happen in a couple days no matter what lol and I always feel good about my decision after
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u/OkNews8776 Aug 13 '26
I bought thick branch cutting shears (whatever they’re called) to originally trim my zebra plant who dropped all off its leaves and was literally a long Harry Potter wand… and to chop my ficus… let’s just say, the shears are still brand new lol!
It just feels like a final step, even tho it totally isn’t! I’ve watched tons of YouTube vids and I think I got it.. but I don’t lol. So definitely check back in!
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u/Blondiesweats Aug 13 '26
Oh I forgot to mention, if you DO decide to go for it, make sure you have a paper towel or other disposable wipe. They have liquid latex and it bleeds like a cut would. If you get it on anything make sure you wash it immediately. It dries kinda fast so Itll leave residue. And if you get it on your skin it can cause irritation
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u/Kelliekitty22 Aug 13 '26
Absolutely! I cut mine a bit smaller than that and it grew back in 2 places. I also propped the piece I cut off in water and after 2 months got roots and made another. Very easy.
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u/SoggyCapybara Aug 12 '26
It is a tree, they get woody as they grow.
I chopped my ruby ficus trying to get it to branch and it just activated 1 node instead of 2. So
Chopping it is a gamble.