Dark and Handsome – The Rubber Plant
Dark and Handsome – The Rubber Plant.
aka – Rubber Bush, Rubber Tree, The Rubber Fig, Ficus Elastica
Native to the Indian Sub-Continent (Northern India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka) as well as South Asia (Indonesia and Myanmar)
This may come as a surprise and I am sorry to ruin your dreams – however it is best to let you know before you get too excited that Rubber Plants do not grow kitchen gloves, tyres, gumboots or swimming caps. They produce beautiful dark, thick, rubbery and lush leaves which makes them equally as exciting as the previously mentioned items. In fact, perhaps they get extra points as they don’t need replacing regularly, you don’t outgrow them, nor do they make you look like you are about to get blonde tips, circa 1998. The Rubber Plant is a no-brainer to make a statement in any home, being relatively low maintenance and with its interesting darker colouring can be a nice alternative or addition to other bright green varieties.
Read on if you want to learn how to keep your Rubber Plant looking healthy and lush.
Choosing their perfect posse at home: To avoid melting (jokes, obvs), keep away from direct sunlight and your plant friend will thank you. Bright light is ideal, perhaps next to a window with sheer blinds or in a well lit room away from the window. Though Rubber Trees are hardy and resilient, burnt leaves caused by direct sunlight make for a very sad plant.
Hydration: Another Seasonal Drinker – The Rubber Plant definitely enjoys regular dranks in the warmer months and you should keep the soil moist during this time. When winter rolls around (boooo!) a drink once or twice a month is all they need. Your plant will also thank you if you give it’s leaves a wipe every now and then with a damp cloth to let them breath and remove toxins from the air. If only we could claim these plants on our private health, am I right?
Re-potting: It’s time to re-pot your Rubber Tree when it starts to lift itself slightly from the pot it is in or roots become visible out of the soil at the top. Your Rubber Plant is a fast grower – so if you wish to encourage this, re-pot it annually to a larger pot, or bi-annually if you want to keep control of it’s size. It’s worth mentioning pruning here too – preferably at the start of spring, give your rubber a little snip back to promote new growth. Removing about 1/3 of each stem is enough, just above a node.
Hydration: Another Seasonal Drinker – The Rubber Plant definitely enjoys regular dranks in the warmer months and you should keep the soil moist during this time. When winter rolls around (boooo!) a drink once or twice a month is all they need. Your plant will also thank you if you give it’s leaves a wipe every now and then with a damp cloth to let them breath and remove toxins from the air. If only we could claim these plants on our private health, am I right?
Re-potting: It’s time to re-pot your Rubber Tree when it starts to lift itself slightly from the pot it is in or roots become visible out of the soil at the top. Your Rubber Plant is a fast grower – so if you wish to encourage this, re-pot it annually to a larger pot, or bi-annually if you want to keep control of it’s size. It’s worth mentioning pruning here too – preferably at the start of spring, give your rubber a little snip back to promote new growth. Removing about 1/3 of each stem is enough, just above a node.
HELP! If your Rubber Plant starts to drop its leaves, this is probably due to a change in light and humidity. To combat this – use a spray bottle to give the leaves a mist each day and place back in a bright spot until it shows signs of regrowth, and re-assess it’s new spot. You may also come across Scale on your rubber plant (inconvenient little bugs that blend in with the back of the leaves – looking like bumps), however this is an easy fix with white oil (grab some from Bunnings!) and keep this plant in isolation from its siblings for a little while. Brutal, but necessary.
Hot Tip: Droopy leaves = thirsty rubber. Simples!
Pop in and check out our range of Rubber Plants – there are multiple varieties and sizes and they’re perfect for an impressive gift, or constant “ooh” “aah” and “wow” moments in your own home. You’re welcome.
