Ficus Elastica 'Robusta'

The Ficus Elastica 'Robusta' is an indoor plant with thick, glossy leaves. This ficus will thrive with plenty of bright light and moderate watering. You may also hear this plant be called a Rubber Tree.

The Ficus Elastica 'Robusta' is a low-maintenance plant that has the potential to add dramatic height to any living space. Indoors this ficus can get up to 8 feet in height, with enough bright, indirect lighting there is always room for more if your ceilings allow it. It's definitely a plant that never grows out of style.

Ficus Elastica 'Robusta'

Botanical Name: Ficus Elastica 'Robusta'

Common Name: Rubber Tree

Family: Moraceae

Genus: Elastica

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light or partial sun. Too little light will stunt the plants growth. Direct light may scorch the leaf. When grown as an outdoor plant, (if your climate zone will allow) it can mature and withstand direct light.

Water: Water thoroughly when the top 50-75% of the soil is dry. Depending on your lighting situation, this could be every 1 1/2 to 2 week. Do not let it go too long without water.

Humidity: Average humidity is needed for this plant.

Temperature: Above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid cold drafts.

Toxicity: Toxic to pets and children.

Propagation

These plants are easy to propagate, but not always successful. Do not give up if you cannot propagate the first time you try. They can be propagated with a stem cutting or a leaf cutting. Regular prunings help this plant in many ways. If you want your plant to stay small, you can cut it. If you want to create a new plant and not spend more money on a new one, cut it. Each cutting your take will promote new growth that will likely branch out. Branching out will create a plant that looks fuller.

Helpful Tip

If you wipe the leaves of your ficus off regularly, it allows the plant to capture sunlight in order to photosynthesize to the fullest extent.

Fun Facts

Ficus Trees, in their native environment, can grow up to 100 feet tall.

Other Types of Ficus Plants

The most common ficus plants that can be found and grown indoors are the Ficus Elastica 'Tineke', Ficus Elastica 'Burgundy', Ficus Elastica 'Ruby', and obviously the one we talked about in this post, the Ficus Elastica 'Robusta'.