FICUS ELASTICA
There are many different types of this sturdy easy care plant. From the pink hued leaves of the Ficus Belize, the variegated Tineke and the deep green of the Robusta there are many striking varieties. They can grow up to 1.5m in height and you can prune them to encourage new growth off the sides.
WATER
Water only when the top 5-10cm of soil is dry. If in doubt leave it a few more days, then soak the plant until waters pours out of the bottom and then leave it to partially dry out before watering again. If you lose some of the bottom leaves this is a sure sign of over watering.
LIGHT
Ficus Elastica like lots of bright indirect light and can tolerate a few hours of gentle direct morning light. Too much midday direct light and the leaves will burn, not enough light and the plant will grow very slowly.
FERTILISING
Feed every 2 weeks in the Spring and Summer months standard houseplant fertiliser.
SOIL
Ficus like a very well draining soil that is nice and loose. Visit our soil bar for pumice, orchid bark and coco coir to add to a standard houseplant mix.
TEMPERATURE
Most household temperatures are fine but in the winter you may want to move away from windows as Ficus do not like temperatures below 12C.
HUMIDITY
Average household humidity is fine for Ficus Elastica.
TOXICITY
Ficus are considered toxic to humans, cats and dogs. The milky sap from their leaves and stems is a skin irritant.
General Watering Tips
Place your plant, still in its plastic nursery pot, inside the decorative pot you've chosen. This setup allows the plant to enjoy the drainage and airflow provided by the nursery pot's holes, which are beneficial for root health.
When it’s time to water, you have two options:
1. Top Watering: Take the plant, nursery pot and all, out of the decorative pot and water it over a sink. Allow the water to drain completely before placing it back in the decorative pot to prevent water build up.
2. Bottom Watering: Place the nursery pot in a shallow dish of water and let the plant absorb moisture from the bottom. This method encourages the roots to grow downward and reduces the risk of overwatering.
Both methods help keep your plant healthy by promoting good drainage and root aeration.