Ficus elastica (rubber tree) burgundy care and propagation (in water and soil) with updates!

Heavy winds knocked over a huge pot of Ficus elastica, prompting me to repot it… and… to propagate it into many plants. In this video I rescue the rubber tree, share my care tips in great details, and propagate single leaf cuttings in water and in soil. I also share 5 months update on the cuttings and reveal to you the best way to propagate it in the end.
My instagram: @bo.tan.ist
Jazz background music made by Rhythm Alley
/ rhythmalley.taiwan
Background music are created by me exclusively for this channel.

[@gorgorletyran7424]

Thanks a lot for making a video with so much updates ! May your plants grow and multiple!

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@hoyas]

Love the time lapse. No one else on KZbin does / has to patience to do this. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@ahlehkho8745]

Because i just got interest in plants recently

[@Rystical1]

100% agreed... it takes a lot of organization, planning, and discipline. I could never do it lol

[@tayh3645]

Those fuzzy looking white things are a form of 'disorganized' root structure. I believe they are made of semi-undifferentiated cells as a transition into roots. Usually with time they become more orderly and start looking like proper roots.

[@onlyplants]

Whoaa

[@charissemara]

This happened to my money tree and fiddle fig plant when i propagated them in water and i just decided to transfer them in soil because it was taking so long and the stem seemed too swollen like it wanted to burst. But they made it. The fiddle fig plant with 3 leaves took 3 months before it began showing signs of a new leaf sprouting and i was praying for the last leaf to hold on and wait for the new leaf if it had any intention of saying goodbye. Thank God they made it. I agree with you that the white stuff is sort of good enough sign of rooting. Thank you for sharing your experience I will try planting my 5 cuttings directly in potting mix instead of trying to propagate this in water, too.

[@livingthedream923]

I’m sorry for your loss of Josie. She looked happy and was obviously loved so much.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you, she lived a happy and long life. And was a great companion to me ❤️

[@chaoswitch1974]

Awww sad... and I just met her

[@chrisbarry9345]

My burgundy grew from 2.5 ft to 6.5 ft in one year (the tallest of its 7 stems). It is majestic 😍

[@sarcoidosis33]

I love how earnest you are! No ego or superiority complex which is so common among plant youtubers

[@maryf5949]

Hv

[@largeautomobile]

wow, 5 months timelapse! I would not have the same patience. I want new plants overnight 🤪

[@onlyplants]

Haha I have hundreds of plants propagating at the same time. This is why you should keep propagating! 5 months will go by quickly

[@ilove.lillian]

You and I both Ania😭😂😂😂 overnight!!

[@madyella-Ge]

🤣🤣🤣 yes I know what you mean.

[@rouhinassirzadeh3236]

i really enjoyed your video, thanks for all informations. I've learned a lot from you as I've watched too many videos and none of them was as helpful as your video. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@onlyplants]

Whoaa this is sweet, thank you

[@TinyHyena1967]

@rouhinassirzadeh3236 ~ That's why he is one of my top two favorite plant KZbinrs. The other one being Kaylee Ellen with her rare plant shop in England. But Sean shows updates weeks and months afterward, in the same video, which is incredibly helpful. If you see this comment, Sean, I cannot thank you enough for everything you do for us. I've been watching your videos for years. And my sincere condolences on the loss of Josie.

[@MissyR2538]

I really appreciate you posting this video, especially after losing your precious Josie. I can't imagine how hard it was watching this. May she rest in paradise. Thank you, Sean!😢

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@debs_boho_jungle]

So sorry for your loss. We lost one of our dogs last month as well. Tough stuff, they are way better companions than most people. Take good care of yourself .

[@obsiosiris]

Really good video. Thanks for not only showing how to propagate them but showing progress updates.

[@onlyplants]

😀

[@ameetmangat1992]

love your sense of humor and light heartedness

[@JonnieNino]

That two month progress directly in soul was amazing!!!

[@TheGalvannyVEVO]

In my experience, wooden plants propagates way better in soil due to the minerals and nutrients that they need to build the stems and leaf that waters just don't have.

[@onlyplants]

Thats true too 😀

[@onlyplants]

Thats true too 😀

[@petersugar2185]

@@onlyplants great video man, I have a lighter green and cream coloured rubber plant that grows very fast. But I haven't taken cuttings. Will do at some point.

[@MinhHNguyen]

Sean, I always look up propagation content from your channel before doing anything of mine. Your months-later-update is wonderful and I always learn something new from your videos. And since we are in the same climate zone, yours is my #1 go-to channel for plant advice. Thank you.

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@venusinarmsmusic]

I love this video and how thorough and communicative you are about your process! Also love your sense of humor. So sorry for your loss of little sweet Josie. I lost my fur baby boy Henry this 3months ago and still break into a river of tears when thinking of him. Sending love!

[@onlyplants]

Thank youuu. Thinking of getting her photo frames up. Or tattooed haha

[@sonywest1007]

Hey Sean, I’m not an expert but through trial and error, I found out that plants root much quicker when water propagated in a dark vessel. Clear jars make the process much longer than dark jars (or clear jar inside a dark cover pot). Just sharing my experience :)

[@onlyplants]

Yes I had that same feeling too actually. Though there are other factors that are more determining of speed. Such as size of vessel, light provided, and frequency of water change 😀

[@آدم-و2ص4ب]

نعم هذا صحيح فالجذور لا تحب الاضاءة مطلقا

[@alexa.l]

This makes A LOT of sense since plants top will always look for the light ( for photosynthesis) while the roots will look for darkness ( that resembles soil). I can imagine that dark vessel might confuse the plant less and help with the roots growth. Good tip!! ❤︎

[@leandragl]

@@onlyplants How often do you change water from the vessels? Do you change or just add more water to the vessel?

[@erinjoy5625]

@@leandragl I usually change water every week

[@thedopeart7940]

Everytime he says cute,I feel it . plants are love💚

[@onlyplants]

😛

[@doriano5684]

The white fuzz is the first stages of roots before they form into full roots and take off, I call them crystallized roots. It’s perfectly fine to have them, :,)

[@brindapatel6624]

Thanks a lot for clarifying this :)

[@karilevamp]

Thanks for the info! I was curious as to what the white stuff was as well. :D

[@apseudonym]

it's crazy how much people say rubber plants are picky but honestly... they are the most chill plant I have ever owned. more than philodendrons or pothos or monsteras. they are so robust. about six years ago saved a tiny sick looking one from someone off facebook, it was in a pot way too big for it and had poor drainage and very wet feet. so I repotted it into a pot about a third of the size of the pot it came in. it dropped many leaves but over the years it has grown to six feet. I have another one that I bought a few months after the original one, it's now about seven feet. I have only repotted them once each. I love them so much. I also have a tineke and a ruby but they are much smaller than my burgundy babies.

[@onlyplants]

I think overwatering and not enough light is the most common issue with these.

[@ditebogomorare2104]

Thanks for this Sean I was losing my mind cause my ficus was losing leaves and stopped growing (I was constantly moving it around). I have since put it at the brightest spot in the house and it seems to be working. A week in, I can see progress. Thank you, wise one 😊.

[@ShyDog827]

You’re quite the dedicated botanist Sean . I don’t think I would have the patience to dedicate all that space and time for propagating leaves. But I’m glad you did cuz I learned a lot ! My beautiful Rubber tree will be safe from any scientific endeavors. I haven’t lost even one leaf since I bought it as a small plant , and it has grown so profusely! I’m very proud of it (:

[@erinjoy5625]

Lol scientific endeavors 🤣 I feel the same

[@anastasialee3461]

Shout out from Trinidad here. I have one of those Ficus Elastica here and it's almost tall as a coconut tree and they love the full blast of sun.

[@bindipackjak]

“Karma bit me for torturing plants” OMG am cracking up so much🤣🤣

[@erlbaranda2652]

I love the style of your terracota pots. I hope we have here like that!

[@janetshepherd9062]

You are so good at these time travel updates. So fun to watch!

[@onlyplants]

Haha thank you. Many many more of them are in the works 😀

[@noelle7714]

I’m so sorry for your lose, I’ve been there and know how much it hurts. Thank you for the video.

[@GraveCholla]

I appreciate this video so much. I just purchased my first rubber tree. I also wanted to say that I’m so sorry for your loss. I also had my weenie baby pass away. She was only 7.

[@stefanieforget7723]

I was hoping you'd cover Ficus Elastica! thank you so much for making these videos, you are such a joy to watch and you are so positive and happy 🥰❤

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@cozytunes7959]

Yes! I have dreams about plants all the time! But not like the ones I"ve seen, no! My unconscious mind CREATES NEW species! One time I had a dream about a huge tree, with amazing leaves and I was able to choose where the new leaf will grow, just by pointing. And then zooming with hands in the air made leaf bigger or smaller! I am so happy I get dreams like that, with plants from out of this world!

[@shadia261]

When I was separating mine it was big like yours so I soaked them in a water and that helped me alot. Great video

[@onlyplants]

That sounds like a very sensible thing to do 🥹

[@soniamaria8404]

I love watching your videos, you even make the more “boring” parts entertaining to watch and informative 😂💚

[@onlyplants]

Haha 🙈🙈

[@gracieladuarte1267]

You do the best propagation videos..from start to finish...Thank you 👏👏❤️

[@scargo6954]

AWE, Josie Girl! My heart hurts for you :( I found this extremely interesting to see all the processes you used and what works best. Fascinating, but wow a lot of effort and time! Crazy!

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 😀

[@FlorenceChandotCA]

I'm sorry for your loss :( Regarding branching out, I find elastica very, very apically dominant. I am constantly top-cutting them and they'll branch out at the next top-most node, but not really push down to the next one... they'll just try to keep growing upward. I suspect they need to be much older before any significant branching occurs. Additionally, ficus in general do tend to root a lot better in soil, in my experience. For elastica, I've had 100% strike in soil. The one exception I've noticed has been F. microcarpa crassifolia, which itself is extremely reticent to strike at the best of times, and which either requires air-layering or an extensive water-rooting period - 2 months or more.

[@Gitana_Star]

I absolutely love watching your videos. I have learned so much about different plants and how to care and propagate them. I'm so thankful to you that for the first time I have successfully cared for my plants without killing them. Sending a big hug from New York city ❤

[@onlyplants]

Thank you for writing this, your word empowers me to do more ❤️

[@PedanticNo1]

Sean, I don't know you but from the videos I've watched, you are full of life- just like your plants! I hope your youtube channel continues to grow just as vigorously.

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaa thank you so much, your positivity empowers me ❤️‍🔥

[@dagger9555]

This was actually a very informative video just for plants in general. I think you can learn a lot about all plants just from propagating and taking care of one of them. I just bought 2 rubber plants a couple months ago and they’re BABIES. They don’t even have brown stems. So when they turn into more mature plants I’ll definitely cut the top off to make them more bushy and propagate the rest. Taking your advice and doing soil only!

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@MS-vz4os]

Love the time lapse recording of the entire journey. Thanks for sharing

[@evergreengarden1M]

Very useful care tips Thanks a lot For sharing Stay tuned

[@massudcnee6649]

Halo Shaun. Congratulations for having the best climate in the world for plant propagating. Your city is very high in humidity, so almost every plant will grow easily (except the northern winter plants). For cutting with white spot on stem: not to worry. They show that there is life activity in that cutting(s) For the rooting hormone, you can substitute by using a village (kampong) style.: onion juice (air bawang merah) The idea is to prevent the cut from getting rot, maintains food and water supply. Other home style of rooting hormone is :alovera (lidah buaya,) apc tablet. When the root starts growing a in jar of water change water and add an MSG (vi-tsin-ajinomoto) one dip of match-stick in water then dip in MSG. (kepala korek api-ujung sendok teh) Good luck. Salam

[@onlyplants]

Thank youuu

[@TheNetsrac]

Great advice on how to take care of this plant, thank you very much ^^ I've wanted to get a rubber tree for a long time, and after watching this video, I think I can keep one alive. I'm an enthusiastic, but beginner plant guy

[@kyongchaesmith6706]

So much information here. I love it. Thank you. Also, I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a furry family member is hard.

[@Liono68]

Sorry for your loss. I know losing a furry family member is very difficult.

[@carletteesterbaculio1738]

I just discovered you today and I'm so happy. Watching you is so calming for my ADHD brain. I discovered you through your peperomia hope video. Thank you for your hard work!

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaaa thats cool. Welcome to the channel 🙌🏽

[@mahdisdaghighi8303]

Rip Josie 🤍 thanks for the update this video was very helpful

[@TheMillennialPlantDad]

The white fuzz are roots forming. It’s a good sign that the cuttings are rooting . I’ve never been able to successfully propagate a rubber plant. I’m currently attempting to propagate again so wish me luck 😩

[@onlyplants]

Try soil prop, seem to work better for me

[@sandyheredia3027]

I have a couple rooting in water. When I saw the white fuzz I thought it was a fungus or something else, then I realized they were roots. I’ll be planting soon see if unlike the first cutting they grow.

[@gusjaxtyn3630]

pro tip: you can watch movies at Flixzone. Been using it for watching loads of movies recently.

[@andersonfinnegan8995]

@Gus Jaxtyn Definitely, I have been using Flixzone} for years myself :D

[@charlesraylan6835]

@Gus Jaxtyn Definitely, I have been using flixzone} for since december myself =)

[@beverlyannrogers3388]

I was rooting for you🌱🌱🌱love your video 😍very good information, thank you

[@clarence8485]

Thanks for the effort in putting out the video. I have one pot of 5 ficus elastica which I haven't had the guts to separate them yet. 😅 And I am so sorry for your loss. Can totally understand the pain. Take good care and my condolence to your family. 💚

[@victoriajackson5965]

Thank you! I'm very glad that I watched this because I am getting ready to cut mine back and was going to put all the cuttings in one pot. Mine is eight feet tall.

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@SophiaKroening]

This man has never detangled hair in his life and it shows 💀 but really it was a very educational video and much help. Thanks!

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@lilamayoral1031]

Look how cute 🥰 the roots are...

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@rebeccawilliams2410]

This was a fantastic video. Love updates like these. Not many people do them in one video. Thank you! Subscribed ! X

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu. Welcome to the channel 🙌🏻

[@joyfulgirlrecovery7526]

The shots with your doggo are heart breaking

[@onlyplants]

Yeahhh. I miss them all the time. Now I try to pet and appreciate dogs that pass by me.

[@timango0]

you're my favorite plant youtuber actually

[@onlyplants]

🙈

[@xanhchuoi88]

I dont think it’s hard that much to separate them , but you know that you are so cute with your natural style of act and talk 😂 I like the way you love and treat your plants, it’s clumsy but devoted😊

[@onlyplants]

Haha thank you 😀

[@brendahil.1660]

So, much enjoy your videos I follow you and I'm glad I don't have to wait weeks to see results. Its growing season and I too like to try different methods. Thank you.

[@LorraineMorsch]

U are very authentic, thank you for passing on ur knowledge!!

[@onlyplants]

You’re welcome 🥰

[@earth2mike]

Watching from the Philippines! Lot of respect to you bro! This episode was soooo comprehensive and very informative! I have 2 of the variety, the yellow one and the multicolour, I hope in the future I can get the kind that you have! All the best to you!

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@swatiyadav4034]

I really liked the whole video of yours as you have mentioned each and every details. Also showed us each way and phase of propagating the plant cutting. Amazing 😻 👏🏻

[@onlyplants]

Thank you❤️

[@aresgomezful]

This was an amazing video ! You invested so much time !! Thank you so much for showing all detailed progress ! I will go now and take my cutting out of the water and put it into some soil! Love ur videos 😍😍

[@onlyplants]

Be sure to give it good light too they respond really well to it 😀

[@myhopemyegobooster7535]

I just found this video and I automatically want to fix my focus elastica. I have it for almost a year, but it grow slooooowwwwly, Omg I want to throw it away but I know it still live, the leaves are green. After watching this video it make me optimist it can grow well even better. Thank you

[@onlyplants]

Try to give it more light 😀

[@myhopemyegobooster7535]

@@onlyplants tomorrow I will put it on my terrace..😇 Btw those yakult package as a pot is great idea and my kids love to drink it, so i live to try it at home than throwing it away. Ah i wanna ask one more question is it okay if I use a plate under the pot (of my ficus) and my pot is made from plastic?

[@alimayasmr8749]

I'm so sorry for your loss 😢 Thank you for a very informative and educational video though, learnt so much from this 😊💛

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ☺️

[@jadegolding6044]

Thank you so much for your videos - they are always so informative but I also enjoy watching you because you seem very kind natured!

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@mergezguitz3507]

wow! what a dedication! love watching your channel even though it's long and I'm trying not to scape the adds so more plants to come

[@sonalchavan3973]

I like you already. You are so easy on ears. Sorry about Josie 🥺 may her soul rest in peace. She had a wonderful parent. Love how you also spoke to that small leaf 😍

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu 😀❤️

[@wendyscantlebury-momoh]

I love the terra cotta pots in the background. Just bought a burgundy from someone local. I also have a variegated elastica that I just propagated. These plants are beautiful and easy care ❤ ♥

[@inos3697]

I’m so sorry about your dog but I’m glad we got to see her. Thank you for this video, always learn from you.

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@detox0321]

I’m so sorry for your loss :( Rip Josie 💖

[@AwakPening]

GREAT FIKUS AND CLASS 1. SHIVEREANA 2. RUBI 3. TINEKE 4 YELLOW 5. BERGUNDI

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️ I love all of them

[@SuperCatdoll]

Love the time lapse!!! Thank u for all the info 🙏🏼

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@rockyquinn3374]

look at this amazing room/patio/courtyard your in! wow.

[@xchicaqox]

Rest in peace, josie 😢🐶❤️

[@Galilean6]

You're such a joy to watch and hilarious! Great, informative videos. RIP Josie.

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@sandyheredia3027]

A few years ago I gifted my sister a small one, she had for a few years it got to reach ceiling. I’m hoping mine wakes up and grows that tall.

[@vintageblackarabians3797]

I love watching your videos on propagation because you show within the same video the documentation through time how these plants propagate and what to expect. Thank you so much for that. I have been propagating Fiddle Leaf Fig cuttings from a plant that I've had for 30 years and was mature when I bought it in 1993. Pretty Amazing. So far I am having success, but each cutting has it's own time line of producing roots. We are at 6 weeks and so far I've only poted 2. I did mine all in water with a liquid rooting horemone. I think the next batch I do I will do directly into soil. Thank you for all the detail and info you provide in your Videos. Ann from Michigan USA.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 😀

[@siomaiethan]

watching a guy wrestle a plant for 31 minutes is entertaining

[@onlyplants]

🙈

[@psec3706]

Great video all the leaves look great thanks for sharing

[@jamalwalker2104]

Agreed

[@Fire-Queen]

Yes! 👍🏼❤️😂

[@nesianhoney94]

It certainly is. And, it is MUCH MORE wholesome than anything on telly in ANY country. Thank you for your content, a fan.

[@kaseypetz7900]

I am so sorry for your loss. Josie will be missed by many 💖😢.

[@romsnsama23]

Absolutely perfect video 📹 everything covered in 1 video..exactly what i was looking for 😇👌🙌 keep it up man keep making such time lapse video more i love them so much😇😍😻

[@tierrawilliams4849]

Enjoyed this video. We learn best from trial and error. I don’t think I’m strong enough to cut up mine thought but more willing after watching your video. So for your loss. I have 3 fur babies and they are indeed my babies. I tried water propagating a baby that was offset and it wasn’t working. So I tried soil. Worked tons better. Even put it in a self watering pot and it started growing much better. I gave it to my sister as a housewarming gift. She loves it.

[@kencarl1023]

I really love plants , i have a lot in mg garden . But i've seen in your garden that you have a lot of beautiful plants , i wish to go to your place and pick some of it hahaha

[@socialstudy914]

I saw "μεράκι" tattoo on your hand. And can see that you have a lot of it. Its the positive energy that a human have for creative work. If you have μεράκι you can fix or make or create a lot of things.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you, its something I live by every moment.

[@lurabunny]

Love the video and the captions at the bottom of the screen. Thank you for sharing

[@GUPPYMOMCHANNEL]

When dividing the roots of rubber trees, you do not cut them with scissors, but shake off the soil to the end and separate them. I feel good to see the breeding rubber trees grow well through water and soil arrangements.

[@carmelacabiling6181]

what is the name of that liquid for propagating

[@stachelleoverland2188]

Sean, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending peace, love and comfort to you.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 🙏🏽 I

[@inthuramosavi8316]

I did air layering on the branches I want to propagate and I got roots in 5-6 weeks( depends on your climate and time of the year you propagate) so far they are very easy plant. Mine is variegated kind and they have full direct sunlight for over 10 years.😊

[@phillipparichards1235]

Can I propagate in water 💧 rubber plant

[@cassandralegagneur2339]

This video was soooooooooooooooooo amazing! I'm so happy I watched it all. I was only looking for a video to know about Rubber plants, and soon I will purchase one, but I LOVED seeing you journey of how you propagated them. And it being IN ALL ONE VIDEO!!!!! Thank you soooo much for you time. Also, I'm sorry about Josie. Thank you again. You're truly amazing!

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu 🥰🥰

[@margauxcouet7042]

6 seconds in and you got me to laugh already! Love your channel!

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 😅

[@jameswheeler7679]

Very very informative video, I have 2 in each planter and suddenly they are producing new growth they're beautiful plants as they mature and I have learned that they absolutely love very very bright light thanks for your information

[@curryisgood6103]

the burgundy was my second plant as a plant beginner a year ago and its been the only plant I killed so far and it died so badly on me that I am afraid to buy a new one since then. If I gain enough courage to buy it again I will go for a baby plant and the tineke one instead so it can adjust better. I learned that this plant really hates being moved and also the right light and spot seems to be extremely important.

[@annalau9083]

Thank you for such an informative video. I really enjoy you showing us the end results. Help answer so many questions. . Sorry for the lost of your fur baby Josie.

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@andrescastillo07]

1. The motorcycle joke was hilarious, I actually laughed a lot haha 2. RIP Jossie, her spirit will be always with you

[@ventiboy4975]

Hey!

[@JaniartoParadise]

this is my first time to see those beautiful black leaf,

[@rae9076]

I've done a lot of ficus propagation in my time and you might see a better success rate in water if you change the water rather than topping it up. That always works best for me!

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@rae9076]

@@onlyplants since soil works for you, definitely keep doing that! but.. I have a theory that toxic sap stunts the growth of the roots!! I change the fully after about a week and then a bit less regularly after that

[@F.S.2023]

Oh wow! I just landed on your video by chance and loved every bit of it. It's 2:37am, n I can't wait for the sun to rise so that I can go n propagate my burgundy ficus elastica. You're an amazing person.

[@onlyplants]

Haha thank you and good luck with that propagation

[@timango0]

NOOOOO rip puppy :((( i hope you're coping well, while i enjoy your regular uploads pls know it's fine to take time away

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@jonguyen9689]

LOL so funny I thought I was the only goof struggling with plants. Thanks for the tip, tricks, and laughs. 😉

[@Sarah-ox1nf]

Love your content. Just got my first two ficus. We’ll see how it goes 🤞🏻

[@kelly73]

I am so happy to have found your channel. I have all plants ficus and monstera. Lots of tropical plants. I learned a lot from you today. Thank you for doing these videos! I use a light airy potting soil for my rubber plant and recently had a couple bottom leaves yellow and drop. Now i know it's because I love to water as well. Too much! Lol. I keep mine in full sun for the morning and bright light after about noon. It does really well in general. Just have to cut back on watering. Thanks again!

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️ thank you Kelly

[@deborahsykes1744]

I am also an over waterer, I have fixed the situation by making up an airy mix that is free draining, the only problem is I can’t go away for more than 2 days. Although I think if I went away for longer I would miss my plants😂😂