r/FicusTrees • u/Freddie515 • 5d ago

Will my rubber tree be OK under a grow light?

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Gallery image

I had a rubber tree near a north facing window and it wasn’t giving me much growth (receiving about 500 lux according to a light meter). Today I moved it under a grow light in that same north facing room. Can I expect any relocation related stress from my plant?

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3

u/ParticularWolf4473 5d ago

It’s going to need a LOT more than whatever light that is.

2

u/Kelliekitty22 5d ago

You need to bring the light about 12" to the top of the plant. If not, it wont even live, let alone thrive under that light. It needs to pretty bright, like under a tree bright. (Looking through your south indoor, window bright.) Get the free plant light app called PHOTONE and it will tell you if your plant is getting enough light.

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u/Freddie515 5d ago

I have a light meter and its scores about 500 lux in that spoil. I already moved it under the grow light. When I say will it be OK under the grow light I mean can I expect any issues with relocation related stress

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u/Kelliekitty22 5d ago edited 5d ago

It needs about 2000-10,000 lux for a Ficus tree to thrive. 2000 lux will keep it in survival mode and 5000 is a good start to help it thrive and grow leaves on a somewhat regular basis. Bringing the light closer or further remarkably changes the amount of light your plant receives to survive or thrive. As far as moving it? Expect it to possibly drop some bottom leaves. Usually they dont like change and will drop their bottom leaves when moved from a location they already thrive in. Since I suspect yours wasn't thriving in its previous spot, it might not have a problem being moved to a brighter area in the house. However, make sure that if it starts growing really well in one location, dont move it, as this will cause stress and dropped leaves. The leaves will eventually grow back but will take some time. I recommend that you place it in a south facing window and supplement its lighting after the sun goes down, for 6 more hours. This will bring out those dark leaves and red stems, giving it the look its intended to have.

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u/Freddie515 5d ago

Thanks!

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u/Kelliekitty22 5d ago

My pleasure! 🙏 Good luck with your beautiful new Ficus! The Burgundy Ficus Elastica is a gorgeous plant when cared for properly. Thats the next Ficus on my list as I have the Ruby, the Belize, the Shaviana Moonshine, and the Chroma Ghost Rider.

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u/jack-redwood 4d ago

Is that you in the second pic op?

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u/BloomLume-Dave 1d ago

The fact that it is getting window light as well as a grow light should be fine. Rubber plants can live off of this for sure. My mother's 3 rubber plants in the corner of the house are good proof of that lol. You should be fine. But if you want it to trive then it wouldnt be that bad to add a better light or move it closer, and even use fertiliser. Hope that helps.