How to properly take care of Rubber Plant?

I'm new to gardening and just purchased my new plant "Rubber Plant" the one with big dark green leaves. Now I was told to use touch in determining if soil requires additional water, however, I thing my sense of touch is not working well because for some reason some leaves are falling off. Its either I'm watering too much or not enough. Can someone please tell me how to properly take care of this plant and how much watering is required?

Answers:
I have a rubber plant that is indoors. We water it about once every 5 days and it has doubled in size within four months. We don't have it directly in the sun, but near a window that gets partial sun during the day. Be sure to keep it dust free. You can simply use those dry "swiffer" dusters to gently wipe the leaves. I am sure you have heard of "talking to your plants"... this is actually good because you are breathing carbon dioxide on them, which would be like someone breathing pure oxygen in your face
:-) good luck and hope your plant becomes much more happy.

Other answers:
www.goodyear.com Experts on rubber
www.goodyear.com Experts on rubber
More than likely you are over-watering. The leaves usually turn yellow and then fall off when you are over-watering. A Rubber plant's leaves may or may not turn color, but the leaves falling off without drying points to over-watering anyway. The leaves will usually become brittle on the edges and brown when you are under-watering.

Houseplants usually don't need watering very often. A light misting each day will keep the leaves and stalk in good shape while watering only once every so often. Feel down a few inches in the soil to determine how wet or dry it is, do not just feeling the surface.
Sometimes when you buy a plant there is a settling in process and you may lose leaves until it aclimatises to its new position.
Buy one of those ornaments that you put in the soil which tells you when the plant needs water.
Keeping the leaves clean is important too so the plant can breathe. Ask a nurseryman for advice on the best product to use in your area of the world.
Rubber plants are pretty hardy. My aunt planted one under her verandah and it became a weed. Happy gardening.
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