Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The Rubber Plant is the species of ficus most commonly cultivated as a houseplant, largely due to its attractive shiny leaves. Perhaps not a plant for total beginners, Rubber Plants do require a moderate care regimen. Trust us though, they’re absolutely worth it. Whether tucked away in a terrarium, or grown big as a feature piece, these exotic-looking plants can brighten up any room with their abundant tropical foliage.

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Ficus elastica, the rubber fig, rubber bush, rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush, Indian rubber tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae, native to eastern parts of South and Southeast Asia. It has become naturalized in Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and the US state of Florida. Despite its common names, it is not used in the commercial production of natural rubber.

It is a large tree in the banyan group of figs, growing to 30–40 m (100–130 ft) – rarely up to 60 m or 195 ft – tall, with a stout trunk up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter. The trunk develops aerial and buttressing roots to anchor it in the soil and help support heavy branches.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Gummibaum (Ficus elastica) blumenbiene CC BY 2.0

It has broad shiny oval leaves 10–35 cm (4–14 in) long and 5–15 cm (2–6 in) broad; leaf size is largest on young plants (occasionally to 45 cm or 17+1⁄2 in long), much smaller on old trees (typically 10 cm or 4 in long). The leaves develop inside a sheath at the apical meristem, which grows larger as the new leaf develops. When it is mature, it unfurls and the sheath drops off the plant. Inside the new leaf, another immature leaf is waiting to develop.

As with other members of the genus Ficus, the flowers require a particular species of fig wasp to pollinate it in a co-evolved relationship. Because of this relationship, the rubber plant does not produce highly colourful or fragrant flowers to attract other pollinators. The fruit is a small yellow-green oval fig 1 cm (1⁄2 in) long, barely edible; these are fake fruits that contain fertile seeds only in areas where the pollinating insect is present.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

The Rubber Tree needs at least six to eight hours of light daily. This can be lower light at times, but it is best to give this species medium to bright light, preferably bright indirect. If your windows receive harsh direct sun, placing a sheer curtain over it can help diffuse the light. You can tell if the Rubber Tree is not receiving enough light by the color on its leaves, which will begin fading.

Temperature and Humidity

Rubber trees grow well with moderate to warm temperatures between around 65°F and 85°F, with moderate humidity between 40 and 50 percent.

If your space is very dry, consider running a small humidifier near your plant, or group it together in an enclosed space with other houseplants to create a more humid microclimate. Like other types of ficus, these plants are vulnerable to cold drafts.

Keep them away from cold windows or exterior doors in winter. More than a brief exposure to temperatures below 50°F can cause leaves to turn yellow and then brown before they drop off entirely.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Ficus elastica Dinesh Valke CC BY-SA 2.0

Watering

It is best to water your Rubber Tree every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Opt for the more frequent end of the range when the plant is receiving more light, such as in spring or summer, and in the fall or winter, reduce the frequency.

If the plant’s leaves begin curling inward or the potting mix is dry, this is a sign you need to water it more often. Conversely, if the leaves begin dropping or the potting mix is wet, you should decrease the frequency of your watering schedule.

Soil

Rubber plants aren’t too picky about their soil, as long as it’s well draining. Fast, well-draining soil is required to keep this plant safe from root rot and overwatering complications, so we recommend using a cactus mix to ensure good drainage. If you’d like to make your own soil mix, use peat, perlite, and coarse sand to achieve the same level of aeration. Rubber plants also enjoy slightly acidic soil, and adding compost into your soil mix will help increase acidity.

Fertilizing

Feed the plant with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength every two weeks throughout the growing season.

Healthy rubber plants can be heavy feeders, though if your plant is in a low-light area, it’s best to fertilize only once per month.

Start fertilizing your plant when you see the first new growth in spring, then stop fertilizing when days shorten and growth slows in fall.

Pruning and Maintenance

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Ficus elastica figs Júlio Reis CC BY-SA 3.0

Occasional pruning can keep your rubber plant’s height in check. It’s best to cut plants back at the start of the growing season in spring.

If you’d like to let your indoor rubber plant grow tall, you may need to support its stem by using a long wooden dowel or bamboo pole to keep it upright.

The plant’s large leaves can accumulate dust over time. Help them keep their shine by occasionally wiping them down with a damp cloth.

Propagation

Propagating rubber plants, on the other hand, isn’t as easy as pruning them. To propagate, take a smaller stem cutting and let the stem callous over for a day before dipping it in a rooting hormone. Then, stick your cutting into a pot of fresh soil. To promote healthy growth, you’ll need to create a miniature greenhouse to trap humidity and warm air. Using a few layers of plastic wrap, build a little tent around your cutting, and place it near a sunny windowsill. Mist your cutting frequently to keep the soil moist, and you should see new growth in about two weeks.

Potting and Repotting

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Gummibaum (Ficus elastica Robusta) blumenbiene CC BY 2.0

Rubber plants can grow quickly under the right conditions. A fast-growing plant may need to be repotted every year until the plant reaches the height you want.

Rubber plants don’t mind being slightly potbound, but you’ll know it’s time to repot when you see roots growing out of the holes in the bottom of the pot or appearing to fill the pot from the soil surface.

When repotting, choose a pot that’s no more than three inches larger in diameter than the previous pot.

Moving Rubber Plant Outdoors for the Summer

Light-loving rubber plants can benefit from being brought outdoors in summer once temperatures are warm enough. Start by putting your plant in a very shady spot for a few weeks.

Then, over another two weeks, gradually give plants more time in partial shade, then indirect light. Your rubber plant should never be in direct sunlight outdoors.

  • Considerations

Repot plants as needed before bringing them outside, and wait until evening temperatures are consistently above 50°F to bring your plant outside. If temperatures hit the 90s, it’s a good idea to move plants into deep shade and give them extra water.

When outdoors for the summer, your rubber plant will probably need more frequent watering since it’s getting more light and warmth outside than it would inside.

  • When to Bring Rubber Plant Back Inside

Bring your rubber plant back indoors in the fall before night temperatures near 50 degrees or so. Once inside, give plants the brightest conditions possible (but not harsh direct sunlight) to help them adjust to an indoor environment with less light.

Be sure to debug plants before bringing them back inside. Inspect the leaves for signs of common houseplant pests, then spray the foliage and stems down with a jet of water from the hose to remove any insects. Soak the entire pot in water for about 15 minutes to drive bugs out of the soil.

III. Uses and Benefits

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Ficus elastica uphillblok CC BY-SA 2.0.
  • Ornamental uses

Ficus elastica is grown around the world as an ornamental plant, outside in frost-free climates (though it also tolerates light frosts) from the tropical to the Mediterranean and inside in colder climates as a houseplant. Although it is grown in Hawaii, the species of fig wasp required to allow it to spread naturally is not present there.

Most cultivated plants are produced by vegetative propagation. This can be done by cuttings or by layering.

All parts of the plant contain an abundant milky white latex, which has been tested for use in the manufacture of rubber, but without economic and technical results; commercial rubber is in fact produced from the sap of Hevea brasiliensis.

In cultivation, it prefers bright sunlight but not hot temperatures. It has a high tolerance for drought, but prefers humidity and thrives in wet, tropical conditions. Ornamental hybrids (such as Robusta) have been derived from Ficus elastica with broader, stiffer and more upright leaves than the wild form. Many such hybrids exist, often with variegated leaves.

  • Latex

Ficus elastica yields a milky white latex, a chemical compound separate from its sap and carried and stored in different cells. This latex was formerly used to make rubber, but it should not be confused with the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), the main commercial source of latex for rubber making. Just as with Hevea brasiliensis, the latex of Ficus elastica is an irritant to the eyes and skin and is toxic if taken internally.

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