Rubber Tree
Rubber Tree, Indian Rubber Tree
Ficus elastica
Light Level: Medium
Water Level: Medium
Ficus elastica is the rubber plant or Indian rubber tree. The thick leaves, that come in several shades of green, are about 12 inches long. Some are variegated.
These plants do well if they have good light, evenly moist growing media, and frequent feeding. They do poorly when overwatered, exposed to dry heat or drafts, and after sudden changes in environment.
Country of Origin
Southern and southeastern Asia to southwestern Melanesia, Australia
Maintenance Tips
Note: If you have latex allergies, always wear gloves when handling Ficusplant material.
When pruning, always protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses. Protect furniture and floors with a drop cloth.
When cut, a white sticky sap oozes from the wound. This is latex which is used to make natural rubber product. Dab cuts with tissue until the oozing stops. If it drips onto surfaces, clean it immediately. You may have to use rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth to remove it from your skin.
The watering schedule will depend upon the light level. The more light the plant gets, the more often it will need to be watered.
Always check the moisture level with your soil probe before watering your Ficus. Dry soil or a high level of soluble salts may damage roots, causing the plant to die back. Also, allowing the plant to be alternately dried and moistened will result in the growing media shrinking from the sides of the planter. If this happens, add more medium to fill in the space to prevent the roots from becoming permanently damaged, and increase watering frequency.
Ficus sometimes grow aerial roots. These appear as dark brown roots coming from the stem, above the soil line. You may trim these roots off or leave them, as they lend character to the plant.
Pests and Problems
Botrytis cinerea is a gray mold disease often found on Ficus. Consists of brown leaf spots with large dark greenish gray areas along leaf edges. Necrosis may develop between leaf sheathes and new leaves. It is caused by too-frequent misting or by backsplash from watering.
Glomerella cingulata pathogen causes a disease commonly called Anthracnose. In initial stages, tips turn yellow, then brown, then dark brown. Sometimes the leaf margins are affected. Some plants exhibit water-soaked spots with yellow halos. In more advanced stages, pinkish pustules develop along the leaf veins and black spore sacs appear in concentric rings inside the yellow spots.
Phomopsis is a slow growing fungus is characterized by loose bark, dried up, grayish-green foliage, and hollow, paper-like roots. The damaged foliage initially shows up on one or more areas and, if the disease is unchecked, will spread throughout the trees canopy. The disease is easily spread from one tree to another by the use of unclean clippers, scissors, and other pruning equipment.
For more care information visit our comprehensive Indoor Gardening Guide.