Broad, leathery leaves with a lacquered shine explain why the rubber tree (Ficus elastica) is such a much-liked indoor plant, reaching about 10 feet indoors though it climbs to 130 feet in the wild. It abhors dry air: give it steady moisture and bright indirect light, never direct sun, and the foliage stays glossy.
| Name | Ficus elastica |
|---|---|
| Family | Moraceae (mulberry family) |
| Type | indoor plant |
| Height | 10 feet (3 meters) indoors |
| Soil | indoor plant soil mix |
| Exposure | abundant indirect light |
| Foliage | evergreen |
Of course, when rubber is mentioned most people think of latex, but we’re all the wiser in knowing that it is a marvelous indoor plant.
This tropical plant abhors dry air. It must be provided with as much air moisture as is possible to compensate this lack.
Aside from regularly misting the leaves themselves, the rubber tree pot can be laid on a 1 inch (3 cm) bed of clay pebbles that will be doused with water from time to time, so that evaporation can bring moisture up to the leaves.
Quite common for rubber trees, this is normal as long as leaf loss is regular and not too many are falling.
But in case of stronger leaf fall, first check that it is correctly watered.
It should quickly bounce back more vigorous than ever.
This is often caused by red spider mites.
This is usually due to mealybugs or scale insects to which the rubber tree is very vulnerable.
Most rubber tree troubles announce themselves on the leaves. Read the symptom, then match it to the cause before reaching for any treatment.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A few leaves drop now and then | Normal, regular leaf renewal | Nothing: only heavier leaf fall needs investigating |
| Heavy leaf fall | Watering fault, roots standing in water, a change of pot or place, or too little light | Check watering, let the soil drain, move it to a brighter spot and then leave it alone |
| Leaves turn yellow | Red spider mites | Treat with organic mite killer from horticulture stores, not chemical products |
| White splotches that turn sticky | Mealybugs or scale insects, to which the plant is very vulnerable | Follow scale insect treatment |
| Leaf tips and edges drying up | Dry indoor air, worst when the heating runs | Mist the leaves and stand the pot on a bed of watered clay pebbles |
Once the cause is corrected, the plant should quickly bounce back more vigorous than ever.
The Ficus tree is a tropical plant that needs water but is vulnerable to having too much of it.
If the air indoors is quite dry, especially in summertime, it’s possible to water more often, but always wait for the soil to have dried up in the surface layer before watering anew.
Oppositely, in winter, you may space the watering somewhat.
Feel free however to mist the leaves on a regular basis, this will increase leafage quality. It’ll also keep the leaves from drying up, especially in winter when the heating runs at full blast.
No pruning is required, although Ficus elastica copes with pruning very well.
Cut just above a leaf scar or node, since new shoots break from the dormant buds hidden there.
Milky latex will bleed from every cut, so wear gloves and lay newspaper under the plant.
Dab the weeping wound with a damp cloth until the flow stops.
Healthy rubber tree prunings with two or three leaves can be rooted in water or damp potting mix, though success varies and is improved by warmth, bright indirect light, and rooting hormone.
The rubber tree is a tree from the Moraceae (mulberry) family that can grow up to 130 feet (40 meters) tall when in the wild, but rest assured, it won’t top 10 feet (3 meters) as an indoor plant.
It’s called the “Rubber plant” because it’s possible to make rubber from its latex. Latex is a milky-white substance that flows out to protect the plant when it’s wounded or broken. It’s different from sap which carries nutrients. It helps the plant heal and protect the wound.
The term Ficus means fig and there are over 1000 different species that have evolved into different shapes, some of them shrubs, some of them trees, and others closer even to vines.
In the Western world, about two dozen varieties are available for sale for indoor use, and the most common and famous of these is Ficus benjamina. Another common one is Ficus retusa, often grown as a small bonsai.
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Take note that the rubber tree leaves are toxic when ingested, and they provoke irritations, including for animals like cats and dogs.
Image credits (edits: Gaspard Lorthiois):
© CC BY-SA 2.0: Margaret Shear
Pixabay: Ирина Кудрявцева
