Rubber plants(Ficus elastica ) are easy - to - grow houseplants and humble maintenance , have few problem , and brook a all-embracing range of condition — just not dusty temperatures . For these reason , they are good for founding father or those that feel “ horticulture challenged ” , or good choices for tough indoor conditions such as in commercial-grade and occupation options .
This native of southern and southeast Asia is neither made of rubber nor used for it now , although a low grade of rubber was made from the sap in the early 1900 ’s . Most of the world ’s rubber , instead , now come from another safety tree ( Hevea brasiliensis ) . The genus name ( Ficus ) refer to the eatable fig to which it is related , and the mintage name(elastica ) to the white sticky sap . This sap may irritate the cutis or belly if eaten , so keep it away from pets and children that may ingest it .
Although rise 50 to 100 feet marvellous in its native tropics , with aerial antecedent that constitute torso supporting the heavy limb to the ground , indoors caoutchouc plants generally grow from two to 10 ft tall . It has attractive , glossy and leathery give up to one foot long and to five inches wide . They are oval to oblong . Flowers and fruits are seldom check on plants grown indoors .
While you may see it growing outside in full Lord’s Day in southern Florida as alandscape plant , indoors it prefer brilliant collateral lighter and will tolerate down light . An ideal location is by a window that gets morn sunlight from the east .
Water regularly while it is growing — generally outpouring and summer — but do n’t overwater . lease the soil dry to the touch before watering . If in doubt , do n’t water . Under - watering is sound than over - watering . Reduce watering when plants are n’t growing — generally , fall through winter . Make certain plant are in pots with drain holes , and that pots do n’t sit around in saucer filled with water . Fertilize when plants are growing , allot to the recording label direction on a product of your choice .
Rubber plants prefer humid air but will tolerate the drier air of most indoor environments . Also , they prefer warm temperature — 60 to 65 degrees ( F ) at night and 75 to 80 stage during the day is idealistic . Yet they raise well at most temperatures above 55 degrees . Avoid a colder temperature than this , sudden temperature drop , or cold drafts such as near outside threshold .
Plants may grow tall and lanky indoors , particularly if grow with lower light levels . you’re able to either support them with a bet or prune them back in spring as growth re-start to make them bushier . This is the time to repot them , too , if needed . If you cut them back , you’re able to propagate new plant from the root word or confidential information newspaper clipping , or by air layering .
line layering is the process of get new roots to raise on a stem while it is still attached , and is used on plants with thick stems or cane such as rubber plants . Notch the base where you ’d like roots to spring , dust with a rooting hormone powder ( uncommitted at full - service garden stores , or online ) , then wrap this area with a moist foam or sphagnum moss . Cover with plastic ( held with twist ties ) to conserve the moisture . Hopefully , after a few months , you ’ll find roots produce and you could edit the stem below these , and pot . apply a houseplant soil ( not garden soil ) for potting , or repotting .
The principal pest you may find on caoutchouc plants indoors are white mealybugs . Wiping leaves sporadically with gently saponaceous water will keep these from multiplying , and will clean dust off that tends to accumulate on the large leaves . If leave of absence turn yellow and drop off , that is a sign the dirt may be staying too wet . Leaves may just fall off , too , if plant receive too slight light , cold drafts , or are in air that is too dry . Using a humidifier near plants will help them , as well as you if indoor humidity is really low .
While the species has dingy green leaves , there are several popular cultivars ( cultivated varieties ) that you often find alternatively , some of which have been around since the tight-laced era . ‘ Decora ’ has creamy white midvein counterpoint on the dark fleeceable leaves . ‘ Doescheri ’ has variegated leaf that are cream and hoar , with pinkish midribs . ‘ Robusta ’ has very big parting up to 18 inches long , and tolerates low light well . ‘ Rubra ’ is perhaps the most commonly found cultivar , its youthful crimson leave maturing to inscrutable green with red-faced edges . ‘ Tricolor ’ is just that , its fleeceable leaves with cream and pinkish patches .
prophylactic plant life , themselves , may avail you indoors as they ’ve been found to be one of the top “ clear melodic phrase ” plant . In a famous report by Bill Wolverton during the 1980 ’s while he was with NASA , this plant was found to remove some chemical toxins from the indoor atmosphere , peculiarly formaldehyde . The latter can come from paper product , particle board , plyboard panelling , and synthetical fabrics . His recommendation was to have at least two large ( 8- to 10 - inch toilet ) for 100 square infantry of space .
While other researchers , in subsequent studies , have question this effectiveness in homes equate to normal air substitution with outdoors , rubber plant may still help melodic line character in smashed building . standardised to other houseplants , having these around can help with many psychological and physical benefit , too , such as reducing stress and improve mood . If you want a tough indoor plant life that allow a range of condition and stresses , including neglect , then the galosh flora may be a skilful choice if you have blank for a medium to large plant .
Dr. Leonard Perry , Horticulture Professor EmeritusUniversity of Vermont
