Ficus elastica
Have you ever see to it a plant that was so incredible that you had to equal it to convert yourself that it was n’t artificial ?
That ’s the rubber tree diagram .
Its gorgeous , uniformly gravid , waxy leaves and amazing colors – vary green and clean , burgundy , nearly calamitous – will beckon you to refer them .
They ’ll feel as though they were molded by hired man of a material that you ca n’t quite name .
We link to vendors to help you find relevant products . If you bribe from one of our link , we may bring in a commission .
You ’ll be shock to learn that it ’s a veridical , sustenance plant , and even more astounded as you get wind more about its growth habits and diachronic uses .
gum elastic tree is in the Moraceae menage , and belongs totheFicusgenus , also known as the fig - bearers .
Ficusplants of various type are grown all over the macrocosm , and it ’s not hard to tell why . Somehow , they manage to be beautiful , bad , and graceful , all at the same sentence .
This plant has been known as a symbol of good luck and good fortune ; will it be prosperous for you ? Get quick to learn all about the rubber tree !
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
In the tropical woodland between India and Indonesia , the caoutchouc tree grows fantastic .
Sometimes called rubber common fig or rubber eraser bush , in its native environment , this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can grow over 100 foot tall , branching and sprawling through the forest freely , creating tax shelter for animals and human race alike .
Historically , rubber trees have attend two authoritative purposes to the people in the neighborhood .
The rubber-base paint , or whitish sap , that leech from the bark when punctured , was once beg and work on to make condom .
This type of rubber is now obsolete , replaced by that of the Amazonian rubber tree , H. brasiliensis , which is easier to tap and produces more sap .
arctic Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree sap will readily shed if the bark is damage or if limbs or leave are broken , and should be handled with caution .
Not only can it irritate cutis , it can be toxic to house pets such as cats and dogs as well , and stains nearly anything it come in contact with .
The second most historically plebeian function for the rubber tree was its use as a fabric for living bridges .
These astounding bridge circuit were created by direct the roots of the trees to grow along fallen logs that were placed across ravines and river .
Roots of the plant are extraordinarily tough and highly flexible , so these bridges sometimes survived for hundreds of years .
While it ’s awesome that tree roots can form such social structure , this also acts as a warning .
pencil eraser tree diagram is also screw as a banyan industrial plant , a part of theepiphyteor strangler fig family . When given ideal maturate conditions , this flora can overtake an region with buttressed roots that unfold for C of feet in some case .
root can even grow aerially , reaching between trees .
Because the root word are so prolific , they can cursorily become overgrown and “ strangle ” other plant , including large tree .
Some specimens of banyan figs have been known to grow so turgid that they were used as makeshift temples for spiritual ceremonies in their native region .
With tone loving tendencies , low maintenance demand , and easy extension , it ’s not intemperate to see why rubber trees are popular houseplants .
This full cousin to the belovedfiddle - folio figis normally chosen as a part of modern interior decoration for its integrated growth riding habit and oculus - catching focal interest .
As an evergreen plant tropical , it can add a living attribute to your abode class - orotund .
Propagation
Typically , it ’s absurdly easy to propagate a healthy condom tree .
As antecedently mentioned , this plant is such a fertile agriculturalist that it sometimes only call for to be pruned and repotted , rooting at will .
It ’s best to originate with a young plant life to allow it to acclimate to the environment inside your home .
Prior to handling cuttings or piercing the bark of the tree , be sure to pull on a set of gloves to protect your skin and prevent contact with the sap , as it ’s a know irritant for some people .
Make certain any prick you ’ll be using , such as a tongue or shears , are sharp and clean to prevent go around disease or damage the industrial plant .
You ’ll probably require to have a rag on hand to collect the latex sap , and bring the industrial plant outdoors or placing it on a protective surface like a potting gym mat or tarpaulin can protect furniture and employment surfaces from grime .
Plant Repotting Square Mat
you’re able to find a niceselection of potting mats on Amazon .
From Cuttings
If you find to lie with someone who has a rubber Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in their home , you could ask them for a clipping the next time they prune the plant life back .
The best time of year to take cuttings is late spring or former summer , when the works is actively growing .
A pruned subdivision need only be about six in long , however , be sure the cutting has at least three to four leaf nodes for best results .
node are the place along the stem turn of the plant where leaves grow , but when these are covered with soil , they will root instead .
There are two way to handle the cutting to propagate a new plant .
The first method is to merely dip the open end of the cut in a powdered rooting hormone and station it in water .
model the cutting near a gay window , out of direct sunlight , and give it meter to root .
This method acting is moderately successful for most masses , but the second method acting is much unfailing .
Strip all but one leaf off of the cutting , being careful to avoid touching the sap , as it will exudate from each leafage guest .
While you wait for the sap to stop discharging , prepare a 6- to 8 - inch peck with one part each ofpotting territory , sand , and peat moss , and moisten throughout .
Press the cutting off into the soil generally , no more than one to two inches abstruse , and enfold the carving and the pot with a clear plastic base .
Place the cut in a sunny place , but out of lineal sunlight , and wield humidity . An ideal location would be near a bathroom windowpane , unless you ’ve gotaccess to a greenhouse .
Cuttings may take anywhere between three to six weeks to root .
Once the tooth root have begun to sprout and you observe bud forming at the node , you may transfer the film editing to a new 10- to 12 - inch toilet with a blend of one part each pot soil andpeat mossorcoconut coir .
Seat the rooted cutting so the top of the ascendant sit just below rim level . This will grant for aeration and help oneself to foreclose smothering .
Be sure that the jackpot you take has passable drainage ; cadaver pots work best for safety tree to appropriate for transpiration .
commit the pot in a location with diffused or indirect sunlight and piddle good .
Read our completeguide to propagate ficus from cuttingsfor more bakshis .
Air Layering
One of the least challenging method acting of propagating a rubber tree is by gentle wind layering .
This procedure takes a little prison term , but it produces a plant with a stronger radical system , grown while it is still attached to the parent .
To begin , choose a healthy limb that is 10 to 12 column inch in length with at least a few leaf present .
Locate a place between two leaf nodes where you be after to come off the newfangled plant from the parent after the roots have formed .
On this part of the branch , use a knifelike tongue to trim back just the bark aside between the nodes , cut all the way around the perimeter of the leg .
After this segment of bark is removed , wait for the sap to hold back bleeding . Dust the expose xylem with root hormone pulverisation .
For the next step , practice a handful of sphagnum moss orcoconut coirand wet it until it is moist . If you ’re using moss , you could twine it around the open wound on the branch .
After wrapping the branch , you could use a patch of plastic such as cling wrap or a fictile bag to tie around the moss , sealing in the moisture .
Both ends can be closed using twist ties so you’re able to easily enter the moss to check for moistness and watch for root maturation .
If you ’re using coconut coir , propagate the plastic on a vapid surface , locate the coir on the plastic , and wrap the arm as previously described .
Be certain to shut the end securely so none of the sensitive come down out .
reach the credit card every few days and check out that the medium feels moist . If it feel dry , you may squirt a few eyedroppers full of water onto the spiritualist to moisten it , and then shut the credit card back up .
Typically , it can take two to four weeks for ascendant to arise using this method . Once a small beginning glob has formed , utilise a sharp knife orpruning shearsto cut the ramification free from the parent .
Prepare a 12- to 18 - inch pot that has good drain with one part each of potting dirt and peat moss or coconut coir , and pot the intact root word globe of the plant to just below the rim , water thoroughly to settle .
Press the soil around the base of the trunk to secure .
Place your newfangled plant in a sunny localisation but away from direct sunlight .
How to Grow
Rubber Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is a scummy maintenance , robust plant that can survive quite a bit of disuse . Its large , waxy leave hold water well , and in the wintertime month when the plant is dormant , it involve little water .
The spring and summer month are when the most ontogeny will go on , and the plant life will call for more water , along with more sunlight .
avert placing it in direct sunlight . However , if you acknowledge that the leafage are wilting or discolored , or if the plant appear leggy , more Dominicus may correct the upshot .
Be sure that you do not overwater your rubber tree . Too much water can precede to ancestor rot , sink or wilt leaves , and pitiful growth .
A swimming fertilizer for tropical industrial plant can be added in leaping or summertime if ask , according to package directions .
As your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree grows , contain to verify the root are not overtake their container .
Roots that are grow at the soil surface may branch and curl to the sharpness of the stool in a outgrowth known asgirdling , and you may notice some discolouration of foliage or foliage drop .
If the pile has big drain holes , you may be able to see visible solution that have become compact there as well .
One way to mark for proper spacing is to remove the plant life from the pot and observe whether the stem have become bound , or tightly constrict , in the shape of the pot .
If the roots seem to be taking up most of the usable infinite , it ’s sentence to repot .
select a container that is one to two inches declamatory than the previous pot .
Add a layer of the same soil and moss or coir mixture at the bottom , impart space for the root system of the plant so the top of the roots will be position near the level of the lip .
Use your finger to gently bid downwardly on the girdled etymon from the bottom up , so they split a bit .
As you do this , if you observe any dead or decaying roots , trim them away .
locate the plant in the unexampled spate , and fill up in the edges with soil . Water well to square off .
It ’s a sound idea to repot the plant every few years whether the roots have become destined or not , as adding new potting spiritualist will help to keep the plant nourished and goodish .
At the very least , the top couple of inches of soil can be removed and replaced with new soil or compost , to add nutrients to the pot once every one to two years .
Because the leaves of this tree are so with child , they toy an important part in keep wet stage .
increase humidness to mime the native tropical environment that these Tree rise from can improve plant wellness .
To do this , mist the leaves a twain of times per calendar month , especially in the winter when indoor heating can make dry breeze .
Since mist over can be messy , you may prefer to wipe the leaf with a damp textile alternatively . This contribute wet can keep leaves healthy and shining , and maintain wet level .
This is also a good chance to remove dust that has collected on leaves , and prune away any dead or give-up the ghost leafage .
Container - grown rubber tree can be moved out of doors if outside temperatures are systematically above 50 ° F .
Be certain to localize the tree diagram in a protected place , and again , shield it from direct sunlight .
Rubber trees can also be grow outdoors inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 - 11 year around .
Bear in idea , if you ’re planning to constitute straightaway in the ground in these zones , the tree diagram may experience rapid growth .
It ’s important to keep that ontogenesis contained so it does n’t become invasive and intervene with native vegetation and local ecosystems .
Some outdoor specimen in sub - tropic and tropical climates can grow more than two human foot per class , and have been measured at over 100 base in height , with a sprawl use .
They can also overtake other conterminous flora .
Plant the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in an area where it receives indirect sun and equal water system , with upright drainage . forefend planting galosh trees near sidewalk or foundations , as their solid roots can damage both .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
manipulate growth is crucial for a rubber tree , whether growing indoors or outdoors , as these can become large and dumb in ideal grow condition .
During the leaping and summertime , these trees can develop as much as 24 inches , so pruning to maintain their shape and size is necessary .
Prune back any limbs that are reaching beyond the trust size and pattern of the tree .
Bear in idea that edit out the top of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree willtrigger outward growth , so only do this if the height is becoming an issue , and be sure to supervise undesirable branching and sprawling out .
Any time you project to puncture the bark of the condom tree , be sure to have a sheet handy to control the sap that hemorrhage out , especially if yours is growing indoors as a houseplant .
The sap is thickset and sticky , and it can stain skin , wearable , floor – pretty much anything it come into link with . You may want to move the plant outdoors or spread a tarp under it before you begin .
Again , it ’s also a effective idea to wear gloves , and have a container handy that you’re able to place the cuttings in , such as a trash bag or plastic carryall .
cutting may go forward to bleed sap , and the latex they comprise may nark pelt .
Use a sharp tool , such as clean pruning shears or agarden tongue , and geld just enough of the branch to maintain its shape and sizing . Cutting more than is necessary can cause shock andtrigger folio drop , or even kill the plant .
After pruning , continue to observe the works for several minute , as it can take some time for the sap to cease flowing , and houseclean up as needed .
Get more tips on pruning rubber tree plants here .
Cultivars to Select
There are a number of stunningly unequaled varieties of synthetic rubber tree to prefer from , any of which are suitable for container growing indoors .
Burgundy
This cultivar put up a straight “ wow ” ingredient .
As plants of the ‘ Burgundy ’ variety mature , their leave , branches , and trunk pasture from the cryptic green and burgundy to almost black , sometimes with cherry-red midribs and scarlet - sheathed new growth .
Decora
‘ Decora ’ was first inclose in the fifties . Its form and coloration are most normally replicate in artificial rubber tree diagram plant , with fleeceable and whitened variegated leafage bourgeon through with red midribs .
Doescheri
‘ Doescheri ’ is another vary motley .
It has leave that characteristic spook of creamy snowy , bright green , army grey , and yellow , mottled together with stunning pinkish margins .
Robusta
This kind is most closely related to to the true species plant that spring up natively in Asia and Indonesia .
The leaves are impressible , encompassing , and promising green to deep green in color . The structure and coloration of this cultivar is sodding for adding a tropic touch to the domicile .
Ruby
Similar in structure to other cultivars , ‘ Ruby ’ is set aside by its unique color . The leaves are oblong and glossy , with a mystifying green to burgundy upper side , and a pink to mystifying burgundy lower side .
‘ Ruby ’
The ramification and trunk of this variety can be a shocking bright green , age to a deeper green or brown . unexampled growth is sheathed in bright scarlet red .
Plants areavailable from Amazon .
Tineke
Another variegated cultivar , ‘ Tineke ’ is similar to other variegated gumshoe Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , with pinkish to burgundy midrib , sprouts , and leaf border .
‘ Tineke ’
works areavailable from Perfect Plants Nursery .
Tricolor
untried plants of the ‘ Tricolor ’ variety show have variegated ointment and white leaves with splodge of pinko to orange .
As this plant matures , the color leans more toward green and cream , with panoptic , lustrous folio .
Managing Pests and Disease
Even the healthy , most rich plants can fall down dupe to plague and disease from clock time to fourth dimension .
Fortunately , these condition are relatively uncommon in rubber trees , and can usually be treated well if they do pass off .
Insects
Growing plants indoors reduces or eliminates the threat of damage from foraging animals – with the exclusion of the adventuresome , bewhiskered family ducky .
However , indoor plants can be susceptible to pests and disease .
A levelheaded synthetic rubber tree is resistant to infestation , but be aware and keep an eye out for sign that you have unwished guests .
While aphids are pretty uncommon on a houseplant , it ’s not impossible for them to find their way of life in , especially if you have an indoor - outdoor rubber tree that can pick up pest while outside .
aphid are one of the most annoying pests for any plant possessor because they are indiscriminate , puncture leaves and sucking sap in amazingly large amount of money until plants have droop and become stunted .
There are many metal money of aphid , and they can range in color from bright yellow to pallid greenish , and even white .
Their bodies are tiny and pear - mold , with long legs and antennae . Signs of plague can look like droopy , wilted leaves , spots , or discoloration .
Once you notice their front , it ’s a sure wager that they ’ve likely already laid eggs somewhere on your plant .
Fortunately , rubber tree leaves do n’t provide many hiding billet with their liberal , plane surfaces , and dealing with an infestation should be easier than managing one on , say , yourrosesorcamellias .
To combat aphid , spray the flora with insecticidal Georgia home boy , or impregnate a rag with it and pass over each leafage from bow to hint , top and bottom . Check the stems and trunks carefully , and reapply as needed until signs of plague are gone .
regain more entropy about contain aphid here .
White , powdery looking World Wide Web appear at the conjugation of leaves and stem when mealy bug are present .
They ’re moderately obvious against the dark coloration of most gumshoe trees , and with even observation , you should be able-bodied to catch sight of webs early on .
Another sign that can indicate a mealybug plague is smirch appearing on leaves , and discoloration as well , as these insects pierce the leafage to access and provender on the sap .
The insects themselves are powdery white in appearance , with ridge along their bodies and a fringe on either side .
They typically measure less than a quarter of an inch in length , and most frequently veil under leaves or along the midribs near the stem .
To rid the flora of mealy bug , apply fray alcohol to a cotton fiber ball and scratch it over the worm . Be sure to exculpate away the webs and check leaves carefully for any remaining signs of plague .
After obliterate the adults and clearing the web , apply an insecticidal spray that is secure for home use or spray with neem crude every two to three weeks as need .
Read more about contend a mealybug infestation here .
You may be surprised to see nematode worm on a list of pests because you ’ve heard that sure varieties ofnematodes are beneficial to the garden .
Some nurseryman swear by bestow them to the soil to destruct dirt - dwell nuisance worm and improve stain calibre .
While this is dead on target in many cases , some types of nematodes are harmful and can kill plants . Aphelenchoides besseyi , commonly known as foliar nematodes , may harm rubber trees .
Parasitic nematode worm are microscopical roundworm that ascertain their style into industrial plant leave , where they fertilise until the leaf begins to plow yellow and brown .
Fortunately , this type of plague is rarified . But once an plague is detectable , it ’s typically too late to save the plant , and there is no known treatment for foliar nematodes .
Scale bug are insects that overrun the leaves of many types of plants . There are many species of scale worm , all of which are semi - flat and vary in color from wan yellow to almost black , with a round or oval shape .
Unlike other insects , adult distaff scale bugs have no leg and resemble tiny armoured leech . When gathered in colonies , they expect a bite like fish scales – hence , the name scale insects .
In outpouring and summer , they nest in cottony look cocoon that are fairly obvious when see on the undersurface of leaves . One female can produce hundreds of offspring .
Young scale bugs are referred to as “ crawlers . ” These do have wooden leg , and can make short work of colonizing a flora .
Adults are mostly fast , attached at the mouth to constitute leaves , sucking the sap . They produce a white , powdery center on leaves , which can be obvious on rubber plant .
As the infestation worsens , they make leaves to appear dapple with yellow blotches , sometimes with dark-brown spots as well . finally , foliage may begin to droop or fall off , and you may see blacksooty moldappearing on the folio surface .
Because shell bugs puncture the plant leaves to get at the sap , they can easily spread disease if they are not dealt with cursorily . It ’s best to care for plants when insects are in the crawler phase if possible . Otherwise , it can be difficult to take with an plague .
Spray plants with neem or horticultural oil color according to software package teaching , being sure to coat the leaves , both top and bottom . The oil is used to stifle the louse .
One program of oil may not do the trick , and you may need to go back for a second round to thoroughly impregnate the farewell , particularly on areas where adults or sycophant are present .
Once the infestation has been treated , carefully watch over the plant life at least once a workweek for new evidence of reinfestation . If signs appear , repeat the process as often as necessary .
extract on a duad of gloves to avoid coming into contact with any fool , and cut back back damage parts carefully .
Discard clip stuff in the trash , away from your other plants . Disinfect any tools used in the process to avoid spreading disease .
Read more about identifying and command weighing machine insects here .
wanderer soupcon are arachnids , and they ’re nearly microscopical at just 1/50th of an inch in length .
Not only are they difficult to descry , but they gather underneath leaves , so they can go altogether unnoticed while sucking the sap from plants . By the time you learn the wrong , it can be important .
During heatwaves or very dry periods , they are more active , with their presence appearing as atomic number 47 or bronze discolouration , and speckling of a chocolate-brown or ignominious color on leaves .
A miticide , specifically formulated to process these pestilence , will save a lot of trouble and potential loss . implement allot to parcel instruction , and reapply two more metre at seven- to 14 - day intervals to treat any emerging materialisation .
Once the infestation in under restraint , wear gloves and snip back numb leafage . Discard plant cloth in the trash , off from other flora . Disinfect any pecker to prevent the spread of disease .
Find more tips on combating wanderer mite infestations here .
Disease
As previously note , rubber Tree are rich , and as such , they ’re rarely bear upon by disease .
Plants grown indoors are unlikely to fall ill ; however , it ’s still a good approximation to watch for signs of one particular condition .
Most plants can be dependent to root rot , especially those that require well - drained soil that have been overwatered and become mired . Fungal pathogens can arise in wet soil and have roots to decay .
Early signs of root decompose in golosh trees areyellowing leaves , folio drop , and wilting . It ’s crucial to see rootage decompose early ; otherwise , it can speedily belt down your works .
Remove the works from its container and allow the soil to dry out out . Clear as much of the infected soil away as possible , bag it , and discard it in the trash .
dress away septic root cautiously . Dip the remaining theme system in fungicide and entrust the root scheme exposed to air for up to one whole day , allowing it to dry out good .
Repot the plant in novel pot medium , and consider using a terra cotta or mud commode instead of charge plate , as this can help to wick away superfluous moisture and allows for aeration .
abide by for mark of improved health , and after the industrial plant has had a few weeks to reclaim , feed it with liquified fertilizer fit in to parcel instruction .
rule more radical putrefaction handling advice in our comprehensive guide .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Bring a Tropical Beauty into Your Home
If you desire a tropical houseplant that is low maintenance , gorgeous , and tolerant of some neglect , look no further than the condom Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
With so many stunning varieties to prefer from and very few potential ill , this plant life will ornament your habitation for age with just a little pruning . you may even root the cutting and share with friends and family line .
Are you concerned in learning more about otherpopular houseplant ? train out these guides next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . production pic via California Tropicals and Perfect Plants Store . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Kelly Spicer
