Ficus elastica 'Variegata' (Variegated Rubber Tree)
Botanical Information
| Family | Moraceae |
| Genus | Ficus |
| Species | elastica |
| Cultivar | 'Variegata' |
| Category | Tropicals |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10b-11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 2 to above 5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 35 to 40 |
| Height | 5-6 m |
| Spread | 1 m |
| Growth | Fast |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Upright/Erect |
| Cultivation | A preferred location for indoor specimens is with bright to medium light-levels and well-draining organic-rich potting medium. Allow pots to dry between watering and watch out for mealybugs, which can plague rubbertrees. When grown outdoors in tropical locations this variegated variety is best grown in well-drained soil in partial sun for best leaf coloring, but it's not too picky about location. |
| Pests | Mealybugs may become a problem on potted, indoor specimens. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Leaf Description | Large oval leaves, which are thick, glossy and beautifully variegated. The leaf centers are pale green and dark green and the edges are creamy white. Newly emerging leaves are beautifully red hued. |
Photographs
A spectacular specimen at the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, Chang Mai, Thailand.
