Its gorgeous, uniformly large, waxy leaves and amazing colors – variegated green and white, burgundy, nearly black – will beckon you to touch them.You’ll be shocked to learn that it’s a real, living plant, and even more astounded as you discover more about its growth habits and historical uses.Rubber tree sap will readily spill if the bark is damaged or if limbs or leaves are broken, and should be handled with caution.Not only can it irritate skin, it can be toxic to house pets such as cats and dogs as well, and stains nearly anything it comes in contact with.These astounding bridges were created by training the roots of the trees to grow along fallen logs that were placed across ravines and rivers.When given ideal growing conditions, this plant can overtake an area with buttressed roots that spread for hundreds of feet in some instances.Some specimens of banyan figs have been known to grow so large that they were used as makeshift temples for religious ceremonies in their native region.With shade loving tendencies, low maintenance requirements, and easy propagation, it’s not hard to see why rubber trees are popular houseplants.This cousin to the beloved fiddle-leaf fig is commonly chosen as a part of modern decor for its structured growth habit and eye-catching focal interest.Prior to handling cuttings or piercing the bark of the tree, be sure to pull on a set of gloves to protect your skin and prevent contact with the sap, as it’s a known irritant for some people.Make sure any tools you’ll be using, such as a knife or shears, are sharp and clean to prevent spreading disease or damaging the plant.The best time of year to take cuttings is late spring or early summer, when the plant is actively growing.The first method is to simply dip the open end of the cutting in a powdered rooting hormone and place it in water.This process takes a little time, but it produces a plant with a stronger root system, grown while it is still attached to the parent.Both ends can be closed using twist ties so you can easily access the moss to check for dampness and watch for root growth.If it feels dry, you can squirt a few eyedroppers full of water onto the medium to moisten it, and then close the plastic back up.Once a small root ball has formed, use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the branch free from the parent.Roots that are growing at the soil surface may branch and curl to the edge of the pot in a process known as girdling, and you may notice some discoloration of foliage or leaf drop.Increasing humidity to mimic the native tropical environment that these trees originated from can improve plant health.To do this, mist the leaves a couple of times per month, especially in the winter when indoor heating can create dry air.Bear in mind, if you’re planning to plant directly in the ground in these zones, the tree may experience rapid growth.Bear in mind that cutting the top of the tree will trigger outward growth, so only do this if the height is becoming an issue, and be sure to monitor unwanted branching and sprawling out.Any time you plan to puncture the bark of the rubber tree, be sure to have a rag handy to control the sap that bleeds out, especially if yours is growing indoors as a houseplant.Again, it’s also a good idea to wear gloves, and have a container handy that you can place the cuttings in, such as a trash bag or plastic tote.Use a sharp tool, such as clean pruning shears or a garden knife, and cut just enough of the branch to maintain its shape and size.After pruning, continue to observe the plant for several minutes, as it can take some time for the sap to stop flowing, and clean up as needed.There are a number of stunningly unique varieties of rubber tree to choose from, any of which are suitable for container growing indoors.Its form and coloration are most commonly replicated in artificial rubber tree plants, with green and white variegated leaves shot through with red midribs.It has leaves that feature shades of creamy white, bright green, army gray, and yellow, mottled together with stunning pink margins.Robusta This variety is most closely related to the true species plant that grows natively in Asia and Indonesia.Growing plants indoors reduces or eliminates the threat of damage from foraging animals – with the exception of the adventurous, whiskered house pet.A healthy rubber tree is resistant to infestation, but be mindful and keep an eye out for signs that you have unwelcome guests.While aphids are fairly uncommon on a houseplant, it’s not impossible for them to find their way in, especially if you have an indoor-outdoor rubber tree that can pick up pests while outside.Fortunately, rubber tree leaves don’t provide many hiding places with their broad, flat surfaces, and dealing with an infestation should be easier than managing one on, say, your roses or camellias.To combat aphids, spray the plant with insecticidal soap, or saturate a rag with it and wipe each leaf from stem to tip, top and bottom.They’re fairly obvious against the dark coloration of most rubber trees, and with regular observation, you should be able to catch sight of webs early on.Parasitic nematodes are microscopic roundworms that find their way into plant leaves, where they feed until the foliage begins to turn yellow and brown.There are many species of scale insects, all of which are semi-flat and vary in color from pale yellow to almost black, with a round or oval shape.Unlike other insects, adult female scale bugs have no legs and resemble tiny armored leeches.Eventually, foliage may begin to droop or fall off, and you may see black sooty mold appearing on the leaf surfaces.Because scale bugs puncture the plant leaves to access the sap, they can easily spread disease if they are not dealt with quickly.Spray plants with neem or horticultural oil according to package instructions, being sure to coat the leaves, both top and bottom.One application of oil may not do the trick, and you may need to go back for a second round to thoroughly saturate the leaves, particularly on areas where adults or crawlers are present.Pull on a pair of gloves to avoid coming into contact with any sap, and prune back damaged parts carefully.During heatwaves or very dry periods, they are more active, with their presence appearing as silver or bronze discoloration, and speckling of a brown or black color on leaves.Plants grown indoors are unlikely to fall ill; however, it’s still a good idea to watch for signs of one particular condition.Early signs of root rot in rubber trees are yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and wilting.Observe for signs of improved health, and after the plant has had a few weeks to recover, feed it with liquid fertilizer according to package instructions