Hello: I have had a ficus elastica for some years now, and it seems to be coming along OK.

However, I am not all that excited about the shape that it is taking – it is becoming leggy, the stalks are quiet thin, and they are growing away from the pot.

I have seen pictures on nice bushy plants with thick stems – such as the last picture that I have borrowed from the internet.

How do I make my rubber plant more bushy, with stronger stems.

Thanks!

It's always hard to compare with brand new nursery stock grown in optimal conditions.
Your plant may not be getting enough light which would account for the legginess. You can prune it which should encourage it to branch out.

Way more light.

I agree, pruning your leggy Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) will force branching but it may also need more light for optimum growth and health. The cut stems can be potted up for additional plants.

It's coming along - more light, and support as well.

What is the best light for a rubber plant?

@newyork4 - It looks great. I like the bamboo hoop!

@JenRose - Rubber Plants generally do best in a location where they get 2-4 hours of direct sun each day. They can get by with somehat less light than that.

happy for you, newyork4.
it is nice to see follow up reports

I moved mine to a place where it gets 3 hours of direct sun, and it's next to a bright window.. but I find growth has slowed.. it put out two new leaves quick in its old location and now it's very slowly growing.. normal? I thought maybe it was just growing quick after it's first watering since it was so neglected.. just want to make sure its in a good place!

@JenRose - If growth has slowed, it is not because it was relocated. It was probably going to slow in any case.

Don't look for too much tight cause and effect with plants. They can't react as quickly as animals to most things.

Here is what it looks like now, 2 years from when I posted last