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You can see the roots are above the soil. Should I repot this newly purchased rubber plant, or should I wait a few weeks it should acclimate to my home first.enter image description here

Joseph Wit
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Your instincts are right. You could certainly repot this plant right now but waiting for a few weeks is a good idea. Where was this plant when you purchased it? What kind of lighting? They usually over fertilize plants for sale so don't mess with fertilizer right now.

The exposed roots are not a problem. Make sure you find plain potting soil, no fertilizer added and no water holding gimmicks such as sponges and gels. You want a pot only a few inches larger in diameter. I am guessing this is an 8 inch pot. Find a 10 to 12 inch pot clay I think is great and inexpensive, make sure it has a drainage hole, use only soil in that pot no rocks or gravel at the bottom above the drainage hole. Lightly compact. Keep the surface of the soil an inch below the rim for proper watering. You can cover the roots a bit. Firm the soil to get rid of air pockets.

Another thing to do is to raise the bottom of the pot off of the saucer about a quarter inch. Use pieces of flat tiles to do this or expensive 'pot feet' that can be fun...lions claws, eagle claws, bunnies...they make them in terra cotta to match clay pots.

Feel the heft of that plant in whatever pot it is in when it is watered well. Do not water until that heft becomes obviously lighter.

Balanced fertilizer, use half of recommended amount because of the low light situation. Osmocote works...14-14-14 or Dr. Earth's All Purpose 5-5-5. Use half of the recommended amount, okay? Wait to fertilize for a good month. Who knows what is in that soil right now?

Gorgeous plant. Do you have cats by any chance? Poisonous for dogs or cats or birds...'Dumb Cane' is one of its names for a reason. Dieffenbacia is very toxic to animals even kids. No kids or animals of your own? Just be aware when your friends bring their kids or doggies over to visit. Not that big of a deal as long as you are aware.

stormy
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  • This is not a Dieffenbachia, it is Ficus elastica, the rubber plant. The white sap dries to a sticky substance. Not toxic for most people but not to be eaten in quantity by humans or pets – kevinskio Jun 07 '18 at 10:32
  • Kevinsky, good catch. I've this headache that I'm trying to 'think' through. Do not think this 'therapy' works. Thanks. – stormy Jun 07 '18 at 10:38
  • Now that it's confirmed it's a different plant, is the info still the same – Joseph Wit Jun 07 '18 at 11:16
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    @JosephWit I would provide more light and add an inch of potting soil on top. that's all – kevinskio Jun 07 '18 at 19:14
  • Gotta say in my own defense what works for Dumb Cane works for Rubber plant. I'd get rid of the stake for sure. It might be too late if the plant flops over. Plants care that they don't flop but if they have support they'll quit caring and making strong trunks. The info I gave works fine. Rubber plant is also toxic to cats and dogs and humans, not quite as toxic as dieffenbachia. Didn't I advise to leave be for now? I wouldn't bother with the inch of soil because then there would be no room to water properly and those roots are fine. Very Ficus. More light and go shop for a new pot. – stormy Jun 07 '18 at 23:25