Ficus elastica (Rubber Tree, Rubber Plant, Rubber Bush)
Botanical Information
| Family | Moraceae |
| Genus | Ficus |
| Species | elastica |
| Category | Tropicals |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | India, Nepal, Myanmar, China, and Malaysia. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Toxic to cats and dogs. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10b - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c - H2 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 1 - 10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 33.8 - 50 |
| Height | 5 - 6 m |
| Spread | 1 m |
| Growth | Slow |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Upright and erect. |
| Landscape | In the landscape, rubbertrees become large wide spreading shade trees. They send down aerial roots that penetrate the soil, become woody and eventually form a trunk. Those grown as interior plants remain a manageable size due to container root restriction. |
| Propagation | By cuttings. |
| Cultivation | Best grown in partial to full shade in organically rich, well-drained soil. Allow soil to dry between watering. |
| Pests | Mealybugs, scale, and mites. |
| Notable Specimens | The Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Chang Mai., Thailand. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Leaf Description | Large, thick, oval leaves. |
| Flower Description | Non-flowering. |
| Colour Description | Leaves are dark green, with newly emerging leaves a striking red. |
| Texture Description | Leaves are glossy and leathery. |
Photographs
Ficus elastica, Form.
Ficus elastica, Leaf.
Ficus elastica 'Variegata' in The Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Chang Mai., Thailand.