Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica Decora) Ruby

Styled in Black Ribbed Mayon Cement Pot Planter

These are an absolute statement piece! The Ficus elastica is known by many names, Decora, Rubber Plant, Rubber Tree, the list goes on. They are native to East India, Bhutan, Burma, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This large tree from the banyan group of figs can grow very large. The trunk develops aerial and buttressing roots to anchor in the soil. It has deep burgundy glossy oval leaves which develop inside a sheath which will grow larger as the new leaf develops. The mature leaf will unfurl, dropping the sheath off the plant.  

A fun fact about the Ficus elastica is that it gets its name (Rubber Plant/Rubber Tree) from the milky white latex it produces. This latex was formerly used to make rubber but now the latex is commercially sourced elsewhere.

Botanical Name / Plant Group 
Ficus Elastica Decora / Moraceae

Size (Can grow to)
Extra Large 1.5 - 2 meters. If potted growth will slow. If planted in the ground outside then the Rubber Plant can become a 5 - 6 meter shrubby tree. *

Position
They grow well in a warm sunny position but don't like the scorching sun. Even though the Ficus elastica is drought tolerant they do prefer humid tropical conditions.

Watering
Water with moderate amounts of water during the warmer months and only when you notice the soil starting to dry in the colder months.

 *Please note that due to the bulky and heaviness of Rubber Plant Ruby, this plant (25cm, 33cm) can only be delivered within metro Melbourne - no shipping.