Dear Melissa,

 Thank you for submitting your very interesting question. As is usually the case, I have had to do some research on your topic. I do not have any experience with rubber plants, but after reading about them, they seem rather fascinating.  

I certainly agree that it would be better to try to straighten the plant. It may have grown this way in a desperate attempt to reach more light. Rubber plants like a good light source.  From what I have read, the best way to determine if the plant is root bound or needs a bigger pot is to remove it from the pot and check the roots. If they are traveling around the pot and seem to be completely surrounding it, chances are you would want to repot.  You certainly do not want the roots airborn, so a larger pot may be needed.  I did find some good information on repotting houseplants. 

Repotting Houseplants (psu.edu)

This factsheet offers some information on general care of ficus (your rubber plant)

Microsoft Word - Fsficus.doc (cornell.edu) 

I did find some general houseplant care information in this factsheet from Oklahoma State.:

Houseplant Care | Oklahoma State University (okstate.edu)

I hope you find this information helpful.  Feel free to ask additional questions. 



Dear Melissa,

Based on the information I read and sent to you, I believe that I would do the following:

 Check the root system to see if the plant is root bound. 

If so, I would plan to repot using the instructions sent, making sure the pot was large enough to fit all of the roots with the plant standing straight up.

If not root bound or not wishing to repot, then I would set the plant in sunlight so that it would begin to reach toward the light in hopes it might straighten itself out.

I think repotting might be the best way to assure a straighter plant, but it would need to be in good sunlight so it would remain straight.  Otherwise it might grow crooked again.

I'm not 100%  confident that replanted it will stay straight, as I don't know your lighting situation.  

 I do know that pruning is possible with the rubber plant, in case you would want to do some pruning to help with the straighteneing. Here are some general pruning guidelines:

Pruning trees and shrubs | UMN Extension

Best of luck,