Ficus elastica
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Common Name: rubber plant
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Moraceae
Zone: 10 to 12
Native Range: Eastern Himalayas, Assam, Burma, Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Java
Garden Location: Kemper Center for Home Gardening Building
Height: 50 to 100 feet
Spread: 50 to 100 feet
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers indoors
Bloom Description: 
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Flowers not Showy
Leaves: Evergreen
Fruit: Showy Fruit

Culture

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-12. Grow as a houseplant in St. Louis. Easily grown in a soil-based potting mix. Site indoors in bright indirect light or part shade with protection from afternoon sun. Water regularly during the growing season. Avoid overwatering. Reduce watering from fall to late winter.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Native from the Himalayas to Malaysia, Sumatra and Java, India rubber plant (or India rubber tree or India rubber fig) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree that may grow to 50-100’ tall in its native habitat. It is widely grown in the tropics as an ornamental tree. Mature trees develop banyan-like aerial roots that form trunks. In colder climates, this is an extremely popular houseplant that typically grows to 2-10’ tall. It is noted for its thick, leathery, glossy, dark green leaves (to 12” long and 5” wide) and pink to purplish stipules. Milky sap from these trees was used to make an inferior rubber in the early 1900s. Small oblong axillary fruits (1/2” diameter) in pairs are rarely seen on plants outside of its tropical native habitat. Popular variations include ‘Decora’ (larger leaves with ivory midrib) and ‘Variegata’ (narrow leaves with yellow/green margins).

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for scale, aphids, mealybugs, thrips and spider mites.

Garden Uses

Houseplant in St. Louis area.

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