Rubber plants (Ficus Elastica) are a popular choice for the home or office. With their glossy leaves and easy care requirements, these plants make an attractive addition to any room.
Known for its resilience, this plant is great for those looking for a low maintenance houseplant. The most common rubber plant variety is the burgundy version which has deep purple-red foliage with dark green veins running down the centre of each leaf.
These plants can reach heights of up to 3 metres when grown indoors and will continuously produce new leaves throughout its life cycle. In terms of care, they require bright indirect light and should be watered approximately once per week during active growth periods. To ensure your rubber plant continues to thrive, it’s important to fertilise occasionally with an all-purpose fertiliser in spring and summer months.
Rubber Plant at a glance
| Common Name | Rubber Plant |
| Scientific Name | Ficus Elastica |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Full maturity | 2-3 years |
| Height (max) | 1+ metre |
| Width (max) | 1+ metre |
| Pet safe? | Maybe |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight |
| Soil Ph | 5.5–7.0 |
| Native to | India and Southeast Asia |
Growing Rubber Plant indoors in Australia
Growing indoors in Australia is often seen as a challenge for many households due to the lack of natural sunlight and humidity that can sometimes be lacking. However, with the correct plant selection and care tips, there are numerous species that can thrive indoors in Australian homes.
The Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) is one such species – its striking foliage makes it an attractive houseplant while its easy-care nature ensures it will remain healthy and vibrant. This tropical evergreen shrub originates from India and Malaysia where it grows wild in rainforest conditions.
In Australia, this hardy indoor plant can thrive in most living spaces providing they are well lit without direct sunlight or exposed to air conditioning or heating systems too much. With its glossy leaves and long stems, the rubber plant adds a pleasant botanical touch to any interior style or decor setting.
Quick care tips
Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) is an attractive evergreen shrub that can bring a unique style to any home or office. While it’s a low-maintenance plant, there are some basic care tips that people should follow to ensure their Rubber Plant stays healthy.
Here are some quick care tips for keeping your Rubber Plant looking beautiful: Start by making sure the plant has plenty of sunlight. Place it in an area with indirect light and make sure the room temperature remains between 60-90°F.
Water your Rubber Plant weekly and check the soil to ensure it’s not too dry or overly saturated. Make sure you use well-drained soil and fertilise your Rubber Plant every two weeks during growing season with a balanced fertiliser diluted to half strength.
Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) (Source)
Caring for your Rubber Plant
Plant care is an important part of keeping any home garden looking beautiful. The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a great choice for anyone looking to add some lush greenery to their space.
This tropical evergreen tree can reach heights of up to 3 metres and its large, bright green leaves not only look gorgeous in any environment, but also help purify indoor air. Growing a rubber plant indoors requires plenty of attention and care, so it’s important to understand how best to keep your ficus happy and healthy! By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of this unique plant for years to come.
First and foremost, the rubber plant needs access to plenty of bright light throughout the day. Place it near a south- or east-facing window that receives direct sunlight for at least four hours per day.
Light
Light is an essential element for any living plant, and rubber plants are no exception. With its attractive dark green leaves and ability to survive a variety of light conditions, the rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is one of the most common houseplants around.
From bright direct sunlight to low indirect light, this resilient species can thrive in many different environments. For best results, place your rubber plant in an area that receives bright filtered or indirect sunlight throughout the day.
If you lack natural light from windows, you can supplement with artificial grow lights. Rubber plants tolerate both strong and weak sources of light but be careful not to keep it in too much direct sun as this will cause leaf burn or discolouration over time. Lastly, remember to rotate your rubber plant every few weeks so that all sides receive equal amounts of sunlight as it grows!
Water
Water is the lifeblood of any living organism, including plants such as the rubber plant (Ficus Elastica). This tropical evergreen tree is native to India and Southeast Asia, and has become a popular houseplant due to its ability to tolerate low light levels.
In order for it to thrive, however, it requires regular watering and proper humidity levels. When caring for your rubber plant, make sure that you water it deeply but infrequently.
Allow the soil to dry out between waterings; overwatering can cause root rot or other diseases which can be fatal for your plant. Additionally, keep an eye on the humidity levels in your home; for optimal growth your rubber plant should have at least 40-50% humidity in their environment.
Fertiliser
Fertiliser is an essential part of the process when it comes to growing a rubber plant (Ficus Elastica). This tropical evergreen tree is commonly used as an indoor or outdoor houseplant.
It is important to understand how and when to use fertiliser in order to ensure the best possible growth for your rubber plant. When it comes to fertilising your rubber plant, organic fertiliser should be used every couple of months during its active growing season.
An appropriate mixture could include liquid fish emulsion, seaweed extract, or compost tea. Always choose a fertiliser that does not contain too much nitrogen as this can cause toxicity and damage the roots of your plant. Additionally, make sure you are applying the correct amount according to the instructions on the package. Too much fertiliser can burn your rubber plant’s leaves and stunt its growth, so always stick with recommended doses.
Temperature
Temperature is an important factor in growing rubber trees, or Ficus Elastica. For optimum growth, these plants must have temperatures between 15-24 degrees Celcius during the day and no lower than 13 degrees at night.
Rubber trees can also tolerate temperatures that drop to 50 degrees or higher, but anything in between can cause serious damage to the health of the plant. In general, it’s best to keep your rubber tree out of direct sunlight as this will raise its temperature too high and put stress on the plant.
It’s also important to check your plants regularly for signs of heatstroke such as limp leaves and wilting stems. If you notice any of these symptoms, move your plant immediately into a cooler area where it will receive indirect light and plenty of air circulation. With proper care, temperature regulation can help ensure healthy growth for your ficus elastica!
Humidity
Humidity is an important environmental factor to consider when growing a Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica). The Rubber Plant, native to tropical rainforests of India and Malaysia, typically enjoys high levels of humidity in its natural habitat.
When growing indoors however, providing adequate humidity can be a challenge. Fortunately, careful attention to the environment can help ensure the success of your Rubber Plant.
The optimal humidity level for your Rubber Plant should be between 50-60%. Keeping your plant’s environment this humid is easy with common household items such as misting it regularly, using pebble trays filled with water or even rearranging furniture away from heating sources that could dry out the air around it. If you are having trouble keeping up with regular misting you can invest in a humidifier which will keep your plant’s environment at the ideal level without requiring daily attention.
Learn more about how humidity can affect indoor plants.
Flowering
Flowering is a natural part of the life cycle of many plants, including the rubber plant (Ficus elastica). It is an evergreen with glossy, green leaves that can reach up to 3 metres in height.
The rubber plant also produces attractive flowers, although it does not flower often. When it does bloom, however, its white and yellow blossoms are a stunning addition to any garden or home.
The timing of flowering for the rubber plant can vary depending upon the variety and environmental conditions. In order to ensure your rubber plant blooms reliably each year, provide it with plenty of bright light and moderate temperatures between 18-30 degrees Celcius. Providing consistent moisture and fertilising with a balanced fertiliser twice a year will also help to encourage flowering in this tropical species.
Pests
Pests are an unfortunate reality of plant care, but with the right knowledge and preparation, they can be kept at bay. The Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is no exception – this popular houseplant requires diligent monitoring to keep pests away.
Fortunately, there are methods to prevent pests from invading your rubber plant’s environment in the first place. Regularly inspecting your plant for signs of bugs or disease is key in keeping them healthy and free from infestation.
Additionally, you can employ certain “natural” pest control measures such as introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs into the home environment or using natural oils such as neem oil or citrus oil to spray plants that have already been invaded by pests. Lastly, if all else fails, consult a professional to discuss options for chemical treatments that will target and eliminate specific types of pests without damaging your plants.
Find out more about common indoor plant pests in Australia.
Diseases
Rubber plants (Ficus Elastica) are a popular type of houseplant that can be found in many homes and gardens. Not only do they add colour and texture to any space, but they are relatively easy to care for.
However, rubber plants are susceptible to a number of diseases that may cause damage or even death if left untreated. One common disease is Anthracnose which is caused by fungal spores in the air and soil.
Symptoms include spots on leaves or stalks, wilting leaves, and yellowing foliage. Treatment involves removing affected parts of the plant followed by fungicide applications throughout the growing season. Another disease known as powdery mildew also affects rubber plants with symptoms such as white or gray patches on the leaves and stems.
Soil
Soil is an important factor in the growth of any plant. Rubber plants, also known as Ficus Elastica, are a popular houseplant because they require minimal maintenance and thrive in most environments.
But for optimal health and growth, rubber plants need nutrient-rich soil that can hold moisture but still drain well. Successfully growing a rubber plant starts with selecting the right soil.
The best potting mix for rubber plants should contain peat moss, perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage and aeration; organic matter such as composted bark chips or coconut coir to provide nutrition; and some sand to further improve drainage while maintaining the necessary moisture level. It’s also important to avoid soils containing heavy clay which may make it difficult for roots to spread out and absorb nutrients needed for healthy growth.
Learn how to lower your soil PH.
Pot size
Pot Size is an important factor to consider when growing a Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica). Rubber plants are considered easy to maintain and can grow in many different types of pots.
But the container size should be chosen carefully, as it can affect the overall health of your plant. A pot that is too small will restrict the growth of your Rubber Plant.
The roots will become crowded, and it might not be able to take in enough nutrients from its soil. This can cause stunted growth or yellowing leaves. On the other hand, if you choose a pot that’s too big, it could allow water to stay stagnant for far too long and cause root rot. When selecting a container for your Rubber Plant, pick one that’s only slightly bigger than its current pot so you don’t shock its roots with an overly large amount of soil.
Pruning your Rubber Plant
Pruning a rubber plant (Ficus Elastica) is an important part of its growth and development. Pruning allows the plant to focus its energy on healthy growth, while also enabling it to maintain a desired shape.
While pruning can be intimidating for gardening beginners, with a few basic tips and techniques it can be done quickly and easily. When pruning your rubber plant, begin by removing any dead or damaged leaves or branches.
This encourages healthy new growth in the future and helps keep your rubber plant looking neat and clean. Additionally, you may want to remove any low-hanging branches to give the tree an overall more even appearance from all angles. Once you have completed these steps you will have established a good foundation for further pruning if desired.
Propagating your Rubber Plant
Propagation is an important part of horticulture and growing a rubber plant (Ficus Elastica) is no exception. This popular houseplant with its glossy dark green leaves and bold red stalks can be propagated through both cuttings and air layering.
Cuttings can be taken from both the stem and leaf nodes, while air layering involves wounding a branch before rooting it in damp moss. Whether you have one plant or many, propagation is an easy way to expand your collection of these beautiful plants.
Gathering cuttings during the spring or summer months gives the best results, as the plant has plenty of energy stored up for root formation. Start by taking a cutting that has several growth buds on it, then remove all but two sets of leaves and dip in hormone rooting powder if desired.
Is Rubber Plant poisonous?
Rubber plant, or Ficus Elastica, is a popular houseplant that is easy to care for and beautiful, but it can be poisonous when ingested. Cats and dogs can suffer from allergic reactions if they ingest rubber plants.
Even the sap of this plant contains toxins which may cause irritation when coming into contact with skin or eyes. This makes proper handling of rubber plants essential for safety.
Despite its potential dangers, a rubber plant can still make a great addition to any living space. It prefers bright indirect light and slightly moist soil; however, it should not remain in standing water as this could harm the roots. When carefully monitored, these plants can reach heights of up to 2.4 metres tall! Pruning the leaves regularly will help maintain their growth rate and shape.
Featured Image: Source
