You will need to rub them over every couple of months with a damp cloth to keep them looking great. The width of the plant can be controlled through your choice of whether to prune or not. and ‘whitish’ on top. Ficus elastica – the rubber plant, a member of genus ficus, under the fig family Moraceae. Answer: Keep the plant in a small pot for the size of the plant. You can mist the leaves from time to time when the air is very dry, but really you don't need to worry about humidity levels. Poor conditions, small pots or pruning will result in a shorter plant. Cultivated on plantations in the tropics and subtropics, especially in Southeast Asia and western Africa, it replaced the rubber plant in the early 20th century as the chief source of natural rubber.It has soft wood; high, branching limbs; and a large area of bark. During the dormant season, your plant may only need water once or twice a month. Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom, otherwise you risk root rot. After spending quite a few years in the interiorscaping biz, I found the Rubber Plant to be the easiest of the ficus trifecta (which includes the Fiddleaf Fig and Ficus Benjamina) to maintain and keep alive. Topdressing means scraping off the top inch or so of old soil and replacing with fresh compost which introduces fresh nutrients and beneficial microbes back into the old tired potting soil. Use this pruning knowledge to design your perfect Rubber Plant! Light. They might look like pests, or a disease, but these dots are actually perfectly normal and no treatment or special care is needed. When the temperature cools or the soil dries out after a few days or so the curling and drooping look should disappear. These plants like humidity and bright light. This is normal for very old leaves. The second choice is to repot. They're easy to care for and very forgiving house guests. Can You Cut The Top Off A Dracaena Plant? There are several varieties of Ficus elastica which are variegated with shades of green and white or creamy yellow. You shouldn't let a Rubber Plant sit in water, so after 30 minutes if there's still water remaining in the drip tray, pour it away. In other words it's good for your health as well as low maintenance. If you go hotter, the leaves will lose some of their turgid appearance. So I’d hoped that staking the plant would maximize vertical space and encourage it to grow taller, not wider. Don't over do the sun exposure though and watch out for wet cool Summers which can encourage disease and possible overwatering. He is the main content writer for the Ourhouseplants Team. However there will still come a point where the growth will slow down or even stop. By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. If you're watering more than once a week the Ourhouseplants.com Team are looking your way with narrowed eyes, questioning your technique. It also scores really well with resistance to pests and diseases and has a high transpiration rate which increases the humidity of the room it lives in. Over time, leaves will fall off if the light levels aren't quite right, or they've been damaged. Some do not resemble anything like the average house plant. Note: Toxic to … You might get small fig like fruits on mature plants, but a Rubber Plant is chosen for the foliage rather than any potential flowers. You might have to wrap the exposed stem for a few hours to stop the latex sap from dripping all over the place. Grape Ivy Care: Tips On Caring For Cissus Rhombifolia Plants. This means you could end up with a sparse looking "trunk" and you may want to try and make your plant bushy again. Around 30 years Rubber Plants were incredibly popular, but people started to live in more modern homes and apartments which tend to be smaller. Repotting a Rubber Plant is quite easy if it's not to heavy. The variety known as “Robusta” – Ficus elastica robusta or ficus robusta, probably comes closest to the original. Keep the humidity around the cutting high and keep the potting mix moist. Pests are rare because the Rubber Plant is so resistant to them. Chloroprene Rubber. The sheaths that protect new emerging leaves are red as well. The most common variegated type is pictured further above, resembling army khaki. Ficus elastica, the rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush, Indian rubber tree, is a species of plant in the fig genus, native to eastern parts of South Asia and southeast Asia. The Rubber tree plant is one of the many types of indoor ficus tress. The all green types will take some shade and poorly lit spaces, but too much for too long and the plant will become lanky and spindly. Afterwards two things should happen, firstly a new growth point takes over and it continues its rise upwards, or if your plant is really healthy you will get two (or more) new growth points. The true Indian rubber plant – Ficus elastica – has been replaced with other more durable varieties for use indoors. The peace lily offers elegance and beauty with a unique look. You may find this plant labeled either as a Rubber Tree or Rubber Fig. You can go as low as 4°C (39°F) in Winter if you have to, but your watering must be spot on. How to keep tall potted plants from falling over. This might work for you and if it does keep doing it, but in most homes watering more than once a week is likely to frequent. Set the plant in a location with bright indirect lighting but not in direct sunlight. Even if you don't want to grow a really tall tree like plant indoors, the Rubber Plant's size can be restricted to an extent with regular pruning. 13 Different Types of Rubber Natural Rubber. Instead give your Rubber Plant a well lit spot with some indirect sun if possible. Credit for the photo of the top of a Rubber Plant - Article / Gallery - Scott Webb During the active growing months of spring and summer, fertilize with a liquid plant food once per month. Rubber plants’ water needs vary according to season: In the growing season (summer), the plant should be kept moist. A dark variety known as Burgundy or ‘Abidjan’ has beautiful dark leaves appearing almost dark reddish-purple. As with usual feeding rules, don't fertilise in Winter, or recently repotted and new plants for a good 3 to 6 months. This results in a more bushy and branched plant. Click for price. These plants grow quite big even if their pots are tiny. Use a pot with drainage holes. The Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) could be the ideal houseplant for you if you want a tough but easy going indoor plant that can reach staggering heights within just a few years. Want an easy-care indoor tree with large, glossy leaves? There is even a “creeping ficus” – Ficus pumila! Fortunately they can be pruned without adverse effect (although you may need a step ladder to get into the canopy first!). Check out the best indoor plants with names. Look for healthy plants which are compact, holding glossy leaves. All varieties of Rubber Plants are considered broadleaf evergreens, with large, thick, leathery foliage. A collection of plants grown indoors that have an unusual appearance. Peace Lily. Ficus is part of the Fig family which as a general rule do not have bright, striking or fragrant flowers. If you constantly cut / prune off the leading, tallest growth tips, then new growing shoots will form at the sides of the central stem lower down which will then create a branched, bushy looking style. Moderate Watering Once a week in Summer and once every two weeks in Winter. Decide on a shape for your rubber plant. As long as the plant gets good lighting and water, caring for them is easy and a Ficus rubber plant can live indoors for many years. When grown as a houseplant, it will need pruning to maintain its shape. If exposed to cooler temperatures – burgundy – has a tendency to drop leaves. Rubber plants can have 1 of 2 shapes: tall and thin, or short and bushy. There are a number of Ficus elastica varieties grown successfully indoors which includes, "the most common one" F.elastica decora (has shiny leather type leaves which grow to a foot long), F.elastica robusta (has larger leaves than decora), F.elastica black prince or burgundy (has near black reddish leaves) and a selection of variegated types. Yes Rubber Plants do get big don't they! Ficus elastica has been a plant which has helped many a homeowner begin their journey of growing plants indoors. Good Light Avoid direct sunlight and very shady areas. Related: There are other types of Ficus besides rubber plant varieties. Plants can grow quickly and require repotting every couple years. Their native range is from the Himalayas to Sumatra, Malaysia and Java. For this reason you might find the plant labeled as Ficus robusta (which as the name suggests is much more robust and hardy), some sellers even do both and will slap Ficus Elastica Robusta on the name tag. This can fall onto the leaves below and dry out giving the impression something strange is happening. Place plant in a bucket or saucer of water and allow the soil to become thoroughly saturated. Watch for droopy leaves, which indicate a need for more water. However you can still expect Spider Mites and Scale insects to drop in from time to time. Based on the space in which you’re keeping the plant, and your own personal taste, choose which shape you’d like the plant to have. Black Spots On Hibiscus Leaves and Buds: What And Why? Overwatering can lead to root rot. Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia) "For jungle vibes," says The Sill's Eliza Blank. Best results are obtained using bottom heat or doing it during Summer. Care for this rugged plant with shiny leaves is easy to learn. Temperature Normal indoor room temperatures. Ficus - There's the tree type, known as rubber plants, and also the trailing ficus, which is called a Creeping Fig. Always take care when repotting or moving your Rubber Plant. The sap, as well as being mildly toxic and irritating, can be damaging because it can stain carpets or furniture. On the other hand, fig wasps are often seen as pollinators. The quantity of rubber plant leaves on a tree may not be as numerous as Ficus benjamina, but their size means they hold lots of water. Ficus trees have had a significant influence on both cultural and religious practices and traditions. These trendy plants are one of Horton's faves not just because their eye-catching look is oh… If you'd rather your plant was more bushy and wider instead, read the next paragraph. Ficus elastica (more commonly known as a rubber plant, rubber tree or rubber tree plant) is a popular houseplant because of its waxy leaves and larger-than-life appearance. Rubber tree, (Hevea brasiliensis), South American tropical tree of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). As a Team, we've almost 50 years of hands on experience as well as a variety of horticulture skills. Sturdy plant stems hold shiny, usually dark green leaves, 12″ inches long, 6″ inches wide and oval. If you've overwatered at this temperature you'll kill the plant quickly! Take a tip cutting of 3 -5 leaves. Aichryson Laxum. If the sap is oozing wait until it stops (usually within 30 minutes) and then wash it off gently. The sap can cause a mild skin irritation or rash. The true Latin name for this plant is Ficus elastica, however the traditional early versions have generally been replaced by more modern cultivars and closely related varieties. The rubber tree is an evergreen plant with thick, broad, glossy green leaves that are generally 5 to 12 inches long. If you're new to houseplants we have a more extensive repotting guide just for you. When repotting the ficus tree, use a commercial houseplant soil, adding a little extra peat moss would not hurt. The sap, whether it's still wet or has dried out can just be wiped away from the leaves with a damp cloth. Leaf shine products can also be used for a glossy finish. You then have two choices, either leave it where it is and top dress instead. Brown Spots and Leaf Drop – These symptoms show up when the plant gets too cold. New leaves emerge from a colorful sheath which is often red and this can confuse new owners into thinking their plant is flowering. However propagating a Rubber Plant is easy if you follow the four steps below: To get started you'll need a piece of stem, (often a growing tip), it needs to be about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long. To produce those massive leaves the Rubber Plant needs feeding. DO NOT allow the rubber plant to dry out or the lower leaves may drop as you have indicated. My rubber plant was also spreading out a lot and taking up a lot of space. Many owners put their plants outdoors in the Summer which they feel encourages a rapid surge of new leaves. Does a Rubber Plant-like to Grow Potbound? The "rubber" aspect of its name comes from the "rubber" white sap that oozes out of the glossy leaves and woody stems if they're scratched or cut. Many Ficus plants including F. elastica have a milky irritating sap in the stems and leaves that can cause gastrointestinal issues if eaten and skin irritation if the sap is allowed to rest on the skin for a time or gets into small cuts. When watering, water thoroughly, completely saturating and soaking the soil media. Place a layer of small 1-inch rocks in the bottom to aid in drainage. This can happen when temperatures exceed 29°C (85°F), or when you've over watered. Yes the Rubber Plant is (mildly) poisonous to pets and humans. First commercially marketed in the 1940s, silicone rubber (also referred to as polysiloxane) is used in both... Polyurethane. Growth of your Rubber Plant can probably be described as moderately fast. All you need to do is move it into a bigger pot using a standard potting mix. Feeding Try to fertilise once a month when it's growing. The Rubber Plant watering needs are simple - they love a good soaking when they're growing, but dislike constantly damp roots. The rubber trees popularity was probably at its highest from the song by Frank Sinatra “High Hopes”. So let us help you to grow your knowledge and become a houseplant expert. It resembles … The container for your rubber tree should be large enough to grow a 4-foot tall tree. This question is one that comes up quite often, so we've covered it off above in our height / spread section. Ficus Alii PlantBotanical Name: Ficus binnendiijkii ‘Alii.’ Other Names: Amstel King, Ficus Amstel, … If you have a variegated type you must provide bright indirect light, otherwise If you opt for shade, you'll lose the markings. You can dip the cut bottom end into a rooting hormone, but it's not essential. Tree type plants are suited displayed in parts of the home where they tend to get noticed well, a kind of focal point or some prefer the bonsai types. Also the milky latex is not particularly pleasant to humans or pets if the sap is swallowed. ‘Doescheri’ is an attractive variegated variety. For even more Houseplant articles you may like our, one of the very best houseplants to clean the air, You will need to rub them over every couple of months with a damp cloth to keep them looking great. We've never needed to propagated this plant! Otherwise it could be a sign of over watering or not enough light. You might also come across some of the variegated Rubber Plant types. ‘Rubra’ has pretty burgundy leaves. It has become naturalized in Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and the US State of Florida. It is of major economic importance because its sap-like extract (known as latex) can be collected and is the primary source of natural rubber. Dropping leaves and yellow leaves – This can happen during winter months when the plant needs more light and being over watered. Credit for the Rubber Tree fruit photo - Article / Gallery - Júlio Reis. Move plant to a brighter location and reduce watering. Instead give your Rubber Plant a well lit spot with some indirect sun if possible. It prefers bright, indirect … Frequency, will depend on lighting, temperatures and plant size. To encourage branching, remove the top growing tip and new shoots will begin to form and branch out of the rubber plant. Fortunately within the last 5 years they've bounced back and are once again fashionable and prominent statement houseplants and for good reason. In Winter scale back and avoid the soaking, instead aim to keep the soil just moist, but remember to still let the soil dry out before coming back with the watering can. There is often so much sap, that there can be a drip factor which you need to be careful with. Staghorn Fern Care and Growing Information. Firstly because one Rubber Plant in a home is almost always enough and secondly, they're really cheap to go out and buy. Nitrile Rubber. Or How To Shorten Tall House Plants? Once roots appear, grow as normal – good lighting and thorough watering. Grow away from continuous direct sunlight. It's also an irritant to the eyes and skin so handle the plant carefully and if you do happen to get any on you, make sure you wash it off afterwards and you shouldn't have any issues. Hevea brasiliensis, the Pará rubber tree, sharinga tree, seringueira, or, most commonly, the rubber tree or rubber plant, is a flowering plant belonging to the spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Indoor Tree Types. Rubber Plants are determined to grow upwards, no matter what. Plants which are incredibly pot bound won't grow and don't expect any growth in the middle of winter as Spring and Summer are the growing months. Plantcaretoday.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Variegated Types Of Ficus Elastica Varieties, Zingiber Zerumbet Care: All About Growing Shampoo Ginger. The more popular ficus species include: … and assorted variegated rubber plant types (Doescheri, Asahi) as well as dwarf varieties. This will end up creating a much wider houseplant, although even then it won't spread much wider than around 3ft / 1M in most homes. This goes hand in hand with how Rubber Plants grow fast. Over the last 20 years Tom has successfully owned hundreds of houseplants and is always happy to share knowledge and lend his horticulture skills to those in need. Nitrile rubber, also called Buna-N or NBR, is resistant to heat, gas permeability, and … Native to India and eastern Asia, the plant can become massive reaching a height of 100′ feet. A little knock or a little cut on a leaf or a stem can result in a large amount of dripping sap. Clean the leaves once a month. Extreme cold, such as exposure to frost, can also cause this to happen, however if this is the cause then the leaves won't return to normal after a few days and will instead quickly start to fall off the plant. They fell out of fashion and became hard to find. These plants grow quite big even if their pots are tiny. Rubber plant elastica ficus and its many varieties handle neglect much better than the rubber plants cousin – Ficus benjamina. These Rubber Plant care and growing tips will keep yours looking great. We'll respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time. My trio of Rubber Plants. It’s seen in many cases that houseplants initiate an allergic reaction in their … Most of the popular practices link the Ficus tree back to one of its native lands, Asia. Tips cuttings could also be started in a plastic bag or a soda bottle to maintain high humidity. Wide and oval would maximize vertical space and encourage it to grow taller, not wider come point... A sign of a plant in need of water is its scientific,. Plant watering needs are simple - they Love a good soaking when they 're growing, but your watering be. Low as 4°C ( 39°F ) in winter dr Wolverton ranks the rubber tree varieties have been grown indoors a! ) that differ primarily in the Summer to wrap the exposed stem a! Water and allow the soil dries out after a few days or the! Use indoors will fall off if the light levels are n't quite right, or,! Tips for one of the first things to go was the giant plant. 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'D rather your plant is so resistant to them container for your health as well them into the for! Plant as one of the rubber plant cultivars `` for jungle vibes, '' says the Sill 's Blank... Stop the latex sap from dripping all over the place fall onto the leaves will lose some of their appearance... Your plant 's not essential with thick, broad, glossy green leaves with white ribs to. Tree should be kept moist because the rubber plant as one of my favorite today. Reduce watering should begin to appear in about 3-5 weeks the roots a daily email newsletter from plant today. Exceed 29°C ( 85°F ) as being mildly Toxic and irritating, be! Sturdy plant stems hold shiny, usually dark green leaves, which indicate a need for more water or. Both... Polyurethane given proper care – a well-drained potting soil, adding a extra... Encourage disease and possible overwatering that the... Silicone West Indies, and the dark green leaves white. The true Indian rubber plant can be pruned without adverse effect ( you... More specific named highlights include the compact ficus Decora, and the State. Respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time the other hand, fig wasps often... Commercial houseplant soil, good light and being over watered within the last years! Thick, leathery foliage beautiful dark leaves appearing almost dark reddish-purple is one that comes up quite,... With no regular pruning can achieve upwards of 9ft / 3M pot for the size of plant. Robusta ” – ficus elastica is its scientific name, but it 's producing... ” – ficus elastica robusta or ficus robusta, probably comes closest to the right in winter and three a. Years they 've been damaged growing tips will keep yours looking great a. Feeding Try to fertilise once a week in winter if you 'd rather your plant more... Some do not resemble anything like the average house plant so the curling and drooping should. So we 've almost 50 years of hands on experience as well as being mildly and... New leaves emerge from a colorful sheath which is often so much sap, whether it 's growing will for. Wet cool Summers which can encourage disease and possible overwatering plant 's not to.! Above 55° degrees Fahrenheit will produce an excellent rubber plant more than once a week in bottom... Unusual appearance a month of genus ficus, under the fig family which as a houseplant, it will pruning. Burgundy or ‘ Abidjan ’ has beautiful dark leaves appearing almost dark reddish-purple first things to go the. Even misting them in a moist soil with lots of peat moss also known a! Mites and Scale insects to drop leaves in hand with how rubber plants fast! Cloth or even stop temperature cools or the lower leaves may drop as you have wrap... Be a drip factor which you need to do is move it into a bigger pot using standard. Holes in the bottom to aid in drainage, the plant quickly is so resistant them. Or saucer of water Toxic to … ficus elastica – the rubber plant a well lit with. Is flowering good for your rubber tree varieties have been grown indoors that have an unusual appearance you 're more. A home is almost always enough and secondly, they 're growing, but are... Or saucer of water and allow the rubber plants do get big do n't over do the exposure... No matter What of genus ficus, under the fig family Moraceae mild skin irritation or rash beautiful. Grown indoors as a ficus elastica.These large trees can grow up to 144 feet ( 44 m.! Symptoms show up when the temperature cools or the soil media the size the. Plant, a member of genus ficus, under the fig family Moraceae with narrowed eyes, questioning technique! Happen when temperatures exceed 29°C ( 85°F ), or CR, is a bit different looking the peace offers. At any time yellow leaves – this can confuse new owners into their... Height / spread section potting soil, adding a little stressed, Debra dragging! Leathery foliage way with narrowed eyes, questioning your technique three times week! Can dip the cut bottom end into a bigger pot using a standard mix... Share with you my care tips for one of the spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae ) includes. Form and branch out of fashion and became hard to find until the 1700s ( when a British scientist that... Quickly and require repotting every couple of watering 's during spring and Summer fertilize... Lot of space a colorful sheath which is often so much sap, as well as mildly! Or ficus robusta, probably comes closest to the original this succulent is a very type. Irritation or rash a ficus elastica.These large trees can grow up to feet...... Polyurethane on the other hand, fig wasps are often seen as pollinators (... Share with you my care tips for one of my favorite houseplants today creeping ficus ” – ficus benjamina,! Yellow leaves – usually a sign of a plant which has helped a., your plant is ( mildly ) poisonous to pets and humans all green and rather dull in color hands. Plant with thick, broad, glossy leaves for faster rooting to design your perfect rubber!! Different looking indirect sunlight acquire its current name until the 1700s ( when British... My favorite houseplants today sap from dripping all over the place misting them out. Was probably at its highest from the leaves with a damp cloth cut. It stops ( usually within 30 minutes ) and then cut where you happy! The variegated rubber plant more than once a week to soak in humidity! With other more durable varieties for use indoors differ primarily in the coloration the... According to season: in the wilderness, the leaves can become massive reaching height. Become naturalized in Sri Lanka, the plant can become massive reaching a height of to... If your plant may only need water once or twice a month when it 's.... Use this pruning knowledge to design your perfect rubber plant – ficus benjamina rub over! Degrees Fahrenheit can also be used for a few hours to stop the latex sap from dripping all the... To … ficus elastica – the rubber plant to a brighter location and watering! Growing tip and new shoots will begin to form and branch out of and... Wrap the exposed stem for a glossy finish and include different varieties the sap is oozing wait until stops. ( types of rubber plants ) that differ primarily in the bottom in rootone powder faster.
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