If you re tired of coddling the notoriously fickle fiddle leaf fig or weary of picking up dropped leaves from your weeping fig every day try a rubber plant.
Rubber tree plant outdoors.
Ficus elastica more commonly known as a rubber plant rubber tree or rubber tree plant is a popular houseplant because of its waxy leaves and larger than life appearance.
They prefer heat and humidity so it is a good idea to cover the roots with a 2 inch layer of mulch which will keep the soil moist longer.
If the plant gets less light while leaves are growing the leaves will actually be larger.
Rubber plants can grow up to 100 feet in their native homeland of southeast asia.
But indoors a rubber tree typically tops out at 6 to 10 feet tall.
How to grow rubber plants outdoors.
In this area outdoor rubber tree plants should be planted on the north or east side of a building for protection from the wind.
For best results bring your summer camper indoors before you turn on the central heating.
A rubber tree plant is also known as a ficus elastica these large trees can grow up to 50 feet 15 m tall.
Outdoor rubber tree plants ficus elastica may grow in zone 9 if winter protection is offered.
Ficus elastica is the classic rubber tree rubber plant or india rubber plant.
As a houseplant ficus is very popular.
Water your trees when the top inch of soil becomes dry.
Rubber trees formally ficus elastica can be enjoyed as either medium sized house plants or grown to become focal point beautiful indoor trees if you re patient enough to grow your own plants that start out younger when you buy them adapt better to indoor living than starting with a more mature plant.
They re fast growers with the right light conditions and can last 15 years or more with proper care.
These rubber plant care and growing tips will keep yours looking great.
Rubber tree plant care sun.
When the plant is young prune it to a single trunk as these plants tend to split when caught in the wind.
After spending quite a few years in the interiorscaping biz i found the rubber plant to be the easiest of the ficus trifecta which includes the fiddleaf fig and ficus benjamina to maintain and keep alive.
As a domesticated houseplant rubber plants grow anywhere between six to ten feet tall you can grow outdoor rubber plants if you live in zone.
Native to india and malaysia elastica is among the oldest plants used as houseplants worldwide.
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When learning how to care for a rubber tree plant there are a few key things to remember but rubber plant care isn t as difficult as one might think.
Rubber trees do not require much light but flourish in bright indirect light.
A rubber tree plant can survive some chilly weather it is one of the hardiest figs but if your area has winter snow or cold snaps when the outdoor temperature stays below 50 degrees fahrenheit keep your rubber plant in a container on wheels.
Want an easy care indoor tree with large glossy leaves.
Outdoors rubber plants grow in full sun or partial shade.