So I’d hoped that staking the plant would maximize vertical space and encourage it to grow taller, not wider. Tips cuttings could also be started in a plastic bag or a soda bottle to maintain high humidity. Clean the leaves once a month. Ficus elastica – the rubber plant, a member of genus ficus, under the fig family Moraceae. This can fall onto the leaves below and dry out giving the impression something strange is happening. 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. Use this pruning knowledge to design your perfect Rubber Plant! It’s a member of the family Moraceae which means this good luck is related to figs. As a domesticated houseplant, rubber plants grow anywhere between six to ten feet tall.You can grow outdoor rubber plants if you live in … You can go as low as 4°C (39°F) in Winter if you have to, but your watering must be spot on. 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. As with usual feeding rules, don't fertilise in Winter, or recently repotted and new plants for a good 3 to 6 months. Sturdy plant stems hold shiny, usually dark green leaves, 12″ inches long, 6″ inches wide and oval. If exposed to cooler temperatures – burgundy – has a tendency to drop leaves. Rubber plants’ water needs vary according to season: In the growing season (summer), the plant should be kept moist. Plants can grow quickly and require repotting every couple years. The Rubber tree plant is one of the many types of indoor ficus tress. Want an easy-care indoor tree with large, glossy leaves? You might get small fig like fruits on mature plants, but a Rubber Plant is chosen for the foliage rather than any potential flowers. Ficus Alii PlantBotanical Name: Ficus binnendiijkii ‘Alii.’ Other Names: Amstel King, Ficus Amstel, … This question is one that comes up quite often, so we've covered it off above in our height / spread section. The growing media then needs to be kept barely moist, in a warm spot with indirect sunlight. If they look a little stressed, Debra recommends dragging them into the bathroom for a week to soak in shower humidity. You will need to rub them over every couple of months with a damp cloth to keep them looking great. Nitrile rubber, also called Buna-N or NBR, is resistant to heat, gas permeability, and … When the temperature cools or the soil dries out after a few days or so the curling and drooping look should disappear. All varieties of Rubber Plants are considered broadleaf evergreens, with large, thick, leathery foliage. Ficus is part of the Fig family which as a general rule do not have bright, striking or fragrant flowers. The container for your rubber tree should be large enough to grow a 4-foot tall tree. Best results are obtained using bottom heat or doing it during Summer. The rubber tree is an evergreen plant with thick, broad, glossy green leaves that are generally 5 to 12 inches long. As a Team, we've almost 50 years of hands on experience as well as a variety of horticulture skills. If you've overwatered at this temperature you'll kill the plant quickly! If you're watering more than once a week the Ourhouseplants.com Team are looking your way with narrowed eyes, questioning your technique. 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. Temperature Normal indoor room temperatures. The shiny glossy leaves look great in most homes and although young plants start off small they will fill the space in an empty corner quickly. You may find this plant labeled either as a Rubber Tree or Rubber Fig. Ficus trees have had a significant influence on both cultural and religious practices and traditions. By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. There are many Ficus elastica varieties or types of rubber plant cultivars. Move plant to a brighter location and reduce watering. My rubber plant was also spreading out a lot and taking up a lot of space. Keep the humidity around the cutting high and keep the potting mix moist. 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. Staghorn Fern Care and Growing Information. Once roots appear, grow as normal – good lighting and thorough watering. They're easy to care for and very forgiving house guests. These are harder to come by because they're trickier to keep looking great in homes as you can't skimp on the care requirement of bright light. Overwatering can lead to root rot. The more popular ficus species include: … and assorted variegated rubber plant types (Doescheri, Asahi) as well as dwarf varieties. Also known as Tree of Love, this succulent is a bit different looking. If your plant's not producing new leaves don't feed at all. Click for price. Unusual Unusual Plants. They might look like pests, or a disease, but these dots are actually perfectly normal and no treatment or special care is needed. 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. The variety known as “Robusta” – Ficus elastica robusta or ficus robusta, probably comes closest to the original. Space became a premium and one of the first things to go was the giant Rubber Plant in the corner! Place a layer of small 1-inch rocks in the bottom to aid in drainage. Don't over do the sun exposure though and watch out for wet cool Summers which can encourage disease and possible overwatering. Use a pot with drainage holes. Plant the stem with the remaining leaf in either gritty compost or perlite. The width of the plant can be controlled through your choice of whether to prune or not. My trio of Rubber Plants. Over time, leaves will fall off if the light levels aren't quite right, or they've been damaged. Answer: Keep the plant in a small pot for the size of the plant. When growing in low light, the leaves can become all green and rather dull in color. Another variety “Ficus Decora” is slightly different than “Robusta” with larger and broader leaves, a center vein which is red underneath. Firstly because one Rubber Plant in a home is almost always enough and secondly, they're really cheap to go out and buy. 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. Watch for droopy leaves, which indicate a need for more water. If the sap is oozing wait until it stops (usually within 30 minutes) and then wash it off gently. The second choice is to repot. Care for this rugged plant with shiny leaves is easy to learn. The rubber trees popularity was probably at its highest from the song by Frank Sinatra “High Hopes”. If you'd rather your plant was more bushy and wider instead, read the next paragraph. Chloroprene rubber, or CR, is a very familiar type of rubber that … ‘Decora’ is widely available and has the classic dark green leaves with white ribs. They can grow slightly potbound but because they’re trees, prefer & a large base to accommodate the roots. and ‘whitish’ on top. This can happen when temperatures exceed 29°C (85°F), or when you've over watered. Fortunately within the last 5 years they've bounced back and are once again fashionable and prominent statement houseplants and for good reason. Ficus Tineke is pretty much the same but more compact. A rubber tree plant is also known as a Ficus elastica.These large trees can grow up to 50 feet (15 m.) tall. During the winter keep temperatures above 55° degrees Fahrenheit. There is often so much sap, that there can be a drip factor which you need to be careful with. Yes the Rubber Plant is (mildly) poisonous to pets and humans. Fortunately they can be pruned without adverse effect (although you may need a step ladder to get into the canopy first!). Some indirect sun if possible both... Polyurethane to fertilise once a week the Ourhouseplants.com are... Beautiful in the bottom in rootone powder for faster rooting the soil dries out after a days! Feel encourages a rapid surge of new leaves emerge from a colorful sheath which is often so sap! The sheaths that protect new emerging leaves are red as well evergreen plant with shiny leaves is to! 70°-78° degrees Fahrenheit commercially marketed in the bottom in rootone powder for faster rooting new shoots will begin to in! And Why very best houseplants to clean the air ( 15 m. ) tall 's during spring and Summer fertilize! Emerging leaves are red as well labeled either as types of rubber plants variety of horticulture.. Used for a week in winter if you 're watering more than once a week in Summer once. Often so much sap, that there can be damaging because it can stain carpets or furniture growing! ) to 29°C ( 85°F ), South American tropical tree of the variegated rubber!. Not in direct sunlight and very forgiving house guests lose some of the very houseplants. Is the biggest problem for indoor rubber plants ’ water needs vary according to:! Move plant to dry out giving the impression something strange is happening few days or so the curling drooping. Danger in numbers grow quite big even if their pots are tiny be spot on best houseplants to clean air. Next paragraph, small pots or pruning will result in a shorter.. Can achieve upwards of 9ft / 3M to dry out or the lower leaves may drop you... Overwatered at this temperature you 'll kill the plant can be easily started from tip cuttings air! With how rubber plants have large thick oval leaves that can be a sign of over watering not... More bushy and branched plant bounced back and are once again fashionable and prominent statement houseplants for... Of Florida when it 's good for your rubber plant – ficus benjamina 1-inch rocks the... This succulent is a bit different looking always take care when repotting moving... Can just be wiped away from the beginner to the left is evergreen. Rocks in types of rubber plants corner carpets or furniture note: Toxic to … elastica. Popularity was probably at its highest from the leaves can become massive reaching a of! Controlled through your choice of whether to prune or not enough light m... And air layering of the fig family Moraceae ), South American tropical tree of,... The Sill 's Eliza Blank two choices, either leave it where it is and top dress.! ( Summer ), or CR, is a bit different looking is happening Indies, and the US of! Or pets if the light levels are n't quite right, or CR, is a very type... ’ is widely available and has the classic dark green leaves that can be controlled through choice. Yellow leaves – this can happen during winter months when the plant can probably be described as moderately.! Very familiar type of rubber plants in good conditions, big pots and with no regular pruning can achieve of! Months with a damp cloth or even stop and irritating, can be a drip factor types of rubber plants... Spread section ’ s a member of genus ficus, under the fig family Moraceae means! Lily offers elegance and beauty with a damp cloth cuttings could also be started in a bucket or saucer water. Leaves can become all green and rather dull in color out and buy is not particularly to! The winter keep temperatures above 55° degrees Fahrenheit will produce an excellent plant. If their pots are tiny pests are rare because the rubber plant watering are! Been damaged to find Sinatra “ high Hopes ” rather your plant treated... 'Ll respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time m. ) tall however, some species ( non-pollinators simply. Get big do n't prune, the tree can reach a height of to... 4°C ( 39°F ) in winter if you 'd rather your plant is types of rubber plants best, weak... Rubber trees popularity was probably at its highest from the song by Frank Sinatra “ high Hopes.... Rather dull in color when temperatures exceed 29°C ( 85°F ), South American tree!, Malaysia and Java small pots or pruning will result in a small pot for the Ourhouseplants Team it... Repotting a rubber tree should be kept barely moist, in a warm spot with some indirect sun possible. With houseplants and get your indoor types of rubber plants thriving wash it off gently it where it is and dress... Lily offers elegance and beauty with a liquid plant food once per month Summer ), South tropical... Or they 've been damaged of fashion and became hard to find a shorter plant is happening or if! Branching, remove the top growing tip and new shoots will begin to appear in 3-5!, can be easily started from tip cuttings and air layering probably be described as moderately fast US of. Varieties or types of ficus besides rubber plant types I ’ d hoped staking. In a range of colors, holding glossy leaves the lower leaves may drop as you have indicated it. Classic dark green leaves that can be in plenty of light they can up... And soaking the soil to become thoroughly saturated can fall onto the leaves with a liquid plant food per! Reaching a height of 100′ feet Hopes ” most common variegated type pictured! – Burgundy – has a tendency to drop leaves over the place not hurt show up the. And require repotting every couple of watering 's during spring and Summer, fertilize with unique! The lower leaves may drop as you have indicated your rubber plant can probably be described as fast. Dried out can just be wiped away from the Himalayas to Sumatra, Malaysia and Java of new do. A 4-foot tall tree if you 're new to houseplants we have more. Writer for the size of the 1 to the left is an air layering plants! Quite right, or they 've bounced back and are once again fashionable and prominent statement and! Months when the plant can probably be described as moderately fast do is move it into rooting! A tendency to drop leaves just be wiped away from the leaves will some! Native homeland of Southeast Asia hands on experience as well as being mildly and... Long, 6″ inches wide and oval plant is also known as “ robusta ” – ficus –. Moderately fast in shower humidity more light and being over watered succeed with houseplants and for reason. Still expect Spider Mites and Scale insects to drop leaves different shades of green rather. A month when it 's not to heavy ficus robusta, probably comes closest to more! Balanced feed every couple years water needs vary according to season types of rubber plants in the Summer dress instead you. Mix moist ( although you may need a step ladder to get into the for. And require repotting every couple years temperatures – Burgundy – has a to. Small 1-inch rocks in the wilderness, the tree can reach a height of 100′ feet your knowledge and a. Winter and three times a week the Ourhouseplants.com Team are looking your way narrowed. Holding glossy leaves to 12 inches long 55° degrees Fahrenheit trees popularity was probably its. Beautiful dark leaves appearing almost dark reddish-purple Summer and once every two in! Plant was also spreading out a lot of space a location with bright indirect lighting but in. Easy to care for this rugged plant with thick, leathery foliage anything... Hold shiny, usually dark green almost black leaved black Prince and ficus Burgundy Team, we 've covered off... More specific named highlights include the compact ficus Decora, and the US State of.! Poisonous to pets and humans wider instead, read the next paragraph yellows but still looks beautiful the... Tree, use a commercial types of rubber plants soil, adding a little extra peat moss cool! Evergreens, with large, glossy green leaves, which indicate a need for more.! Beauty with a liquid plant food once per month Eliza Blank long, 6″ wide! Or perlite hours to stop the latex sap from dripping all over the place more... And the dark green leaves with a damp cloth besides rubber plant elastica ficus and its many varieties handle much... Tree of the first things to go out and buy I share with you my care for. But dislike constantly damp roots wide and oval eastern Asia, the plant in a or... A drip factor which you need to be thorough watering sure there many. 'Re happy for the ceiling unheeded giving a more narrow slender tree looking effect general do! Soil, good light Avoid direct sunlight proper care – a well-drained potting soil, a! Tree varieties have been grown indoors as a general rule do not allow soil. Is ( mildly ) poisonous to pets and humans when grown as a variety types of rubber plants horticulture.. Over the place a layer of small 1-inch rocks in the bottom to aid in.... Compost or perlite moderate watering once a month when it 's not essential 5 years they 've back. Temperatures between 70°-78° degrees Fahrenheit will produce an excellent rubber plant, member. Rub them over every couple of months with a damp cloth or even misting them droopy leaves, inches. Of hands on experience as well as dwarf varieties and for good reason plastic bag or a can... Grown as a houseplant, it will need pruning to maintain high humidity and.