Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica): Varieties, Care, Pruning

[ГОЛОВНЕ ФОТО (прев’ю): фікус еластика з темно-бордовим глянцевим листям у світлій кімнаті]

The rubber plant, Ficus elastica, is a home and office classic: big glossy leaves, slow growth and tolerance of dry air. Here are the popular varieties, from dark burgundy to variegated, how to care for the plant, how to make it branch, why leaves drop and how to propagate it by cuttings or air layering.

More on this topic: ficus types and care, weeping fig, houseplants: names and care.

Rubber plant varieties

Robusta: the classic green, toughest and fastest-growing.

Melany: compact with short gaps between leaves and dense foliage; good for small rooms.

Abidjan and Burgundy (Black Prince): dark burgundy, almost black leaves with a red midrib.

Tineke: cream and green variegation with a pink tinge on new leaves.

Ruby and Belize: variegated with pink-red patches; the brighter the light, the stronger the colour.

Variegated types grow more slowly and need more light than green ones. Other species are covered in ficus types and care.

[фото: листки фікуса еластика сортів Robusta, Abidjan, Tineke й Ruby поруч]

Rubber plant care at home

Light: bright and indirect; a little morning sun helps. In shade it gets leggy and drops lower leaves.

Water when the top 3–4 cm is dry. Slightly too little is better than too much; roots rot quickly in wet soil.

Temperature: 18–26 °C, not below 15 °C in winter. It dislikes draughts and moving and may drop a few leaves after a move.

Leaves: wipe with a damp sponge every 2–3 weeks; dust blocks pores and dulls the shine. Leaf polish isn't needed.

Feeding: spring to autumn, every 2–3 weeks with a foliage-plant fertiliser.

Repotting: young plants every spring, mature ones every 2–3 years; see how to repot a houseplant.

[фото: фікус еластика біля світлого вікна, листя протирають губкою]

How to propagate a rubber plant

Take a 10–15 cm tip cutting with 2–3 leaves, rinse off the milky sap, let the cut dry for 1–2 hours and root it in water or moist mix. Roll large leaves and hold them with a rubber band to reduce water loss.

Roots appear in 3–5 weeks, faster in warmth under a plastic bag.

Air layering for a tall plant: make a shallow cut in the stem, wrap it in damp moss and film. When roots show under the film (1–2 months), cut below them and pot up.

[фото: повітряний відводок на стовбурі фікуса, обмотаний мохом і плівкою]

Is the rubber plant toxic

The milky sap (latex) irritates skin and is toxic to cats and dogs; wear gloves and keep it away from pets.

People with latex allergy should be careful when pruning.

Beliefs linking ficus to new babies are folklore; it is simply a handsome plant.

Why the rubber plant drops leaves

• Lower leaves fall after a move: stress. Give it 2–3 weeks to settle and don't move it again.
• Leaves yellow and fall while the soil is wet: overwatering.
• Leaves go soft and droop: cold or underwatering.
• Spots, residue or scale under the leaves mean pests; see why houseplants get sick.

A living plant as a gift

Looking for a living gift that lasts for months? A potted orchid is a great choice for home or office.

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See houseplants and orchids.

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FAQ

How do I make a rubber plant branch?

In spring cut the tip above a node and give the plant good light; side shoots follow in 3–6 weeks.

How often should I water a rubber plant?

When the top 3–4 cm is dry: every 7–10 days in summer, less in winter.

Why is my rubber plant dropping leaves?

Usually moving, draughts, cold or overwatering.

Is a rubber plant safe with cats?

Keep it out of reach: the milky sap is toxic to pets.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.