Of all of the rubber plant varieties, the ruby rubber plant is maybe the most well-liked.
Recognized in botanical circles as Ficus elastica (FY-kus ee-LASS-tih-kuh) ‘Ruby,’ this charming plant presents lovely variegation and requires surprisingly little in return.
This perennial member of the Moraceae household goes by many names, comparable to:
- Indian rubber tree
- Pink rubber tree
- Rubber bush
- Rubber fig
- Rubber plant
The guardian plant is native all through Southeast Asia and elements of jap South Asia, though it has change into naturalized in lots of places, together with Florida and the West Indies.
Ficus elastica ‘Ruby’ Care
Measurement & Development
Whereas mostly generally known as the ruby rubber plant, the time period “tree” is actually extra applicable.
As indoor vegetation, the Ficus Ruby cultivar is able to attaining a peak of 8′ toes and as excessive as 40′ toes tall outdoor.
This variegated rubber tree is an actual showstopper with massive, almond-shaped sage inexperienced leaves which have variegations of cream, ruby pink, strawberry pink, and white.
These leaves sprout from the highest, very like a palm tree.
Every one can obtain a size of 13″ inches and a width of two″ to six″ inches, making them exhausting to overlook.
Flowering and Perfume
Of their native habitat, rubber bushes produce small figs after flowering.
Nonetheless, this requires the help of a fig wasp, so vegetation within the US have a tendency to stay barren.
It’s nonetheless doable to get your ruby rubber plant to supply small, uninteresting flowers beneath the suitable circumstances, nonetheless.
Gentle Circumstances & Temperature
Whereas the ruby rubber plant can dwell in partial shade, its variegation will endure.
Likewise, placing it in direct daylight can lead to leaf burn, so attempt to decide on a spot the place it receives vibrant, oblique gentle, or medium gentle and has some shade throughout noon.
Average humidity ranges are greatest for this plant, ideally between 40 – 60% %.
Nonetheless, it can nonetheless do effectively in drier areas so long as it has one thing to spice up the native ambient humidity.
Pebble trays work effectively for youthful vegetation, whereas larger ones will want a humidifier.
You may additionally select to mist the plant sometimes to assist with humidity.
Because it’s a tropical plant, the ruby rubber tree is delicate to chilly air drafts.
It is suggested for planting outdoor in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12.
Indoors, it must be saved in temperatures between 60 and 77° levels Fahrenheit and refrained from drafts.
Watering and Feeding
As with many vegetation, your rubber Ruby bush is delicate to each overwatering and underwatering.
The most effective time to water is when its soil has change into dry 2″ to three″ inches all the way down to the contact.
Water the soil evenly with room temperature distilled water (rainwater is even higher).
Remember to drain off any extra water to forestall root rot.
Feed the plant month-to-month with a 1/2 energy diluted liquid fertilizer, following any directions on the bundle.
Cut back watering through the winter months.
Extra on How Usually To Water A Rubber Tree
Soil & Transplanting
Your ruby rubber plant will likely be comfortable in most soils so long as they’re well-drained and barely acidic.
A preferred alternative for business potting soil is a cactus or succulent combine.
When shopping for business mixes, keep away from low-cost manufacturers, as these usually aren’t sterilized and will include dormant pests or fungal spores.
Don’t be shocked in case your plant appears to be consuming the soil over time and exposing its roots.
Simply add a little bit extra soil, and your plant will keep comfortable.
This rubber plant cultivar must be transplanted as soon as each two years.
It is going to often let you recognize it’s time when the soil turns into unfastened to the touch.
Carry out any repotting within the spring and use contemporary soil.
Grooming And Upkeep
This plant doesn’t want plenty of consideration, however it would be best to wipe down the leaves on indoor specimens sometimes to make sure correct photosynthesis.
Take away yellow leaves and prune away any broken leaves as wanted to encourage additional progress.
How To Propagate Ruby Rubber Tree
It may be hit-or-miss when propagating a ruby rubber plant, so attempt utilizing a number of cuttings.
Usually, one of the best (and sometimes solely) approach to propagate is thru leaf cuttings.
Whereas the cuttings could also be grown in water, the possibilities of failure are enormously elevated.
Within the spring, cowl the world round your ficus with newspaper, because the sap can wreck many forms of flooring.
Look at the plant for any leggy branches or spots which are a little bit sparse, as pruning right here will encourage progress on the guardian plant.
- For greatest outcomes, cuttings ought to have not less than 4 leaf nodes and be round 6″ inches lengthy.
- Carrying protecting gloves
- Armed with a pair of sterilized pruners or scissors, make a diagonal reduce instantly beneath a leaf node.
- Cuttings will bleed sap
- Gently blot the injuries with a paper towel till the bleeding stops.
- Take away the underside leaves
- Be sure not less than 2 to three leaves stay on the high for quicker rooting.
- Dip the reducing in rooting hormone powder
- Plant the reducing it in a small pot full of a 50/50 mixture of peat moss and perlite
- Gently pat the soil down.
- As soon as planted, the uncovered nodes ought to all be submerged.
- Place a plastic bag (comparable to a freezer bag) over the reducing to assist entice humidity
- Place the potted reducing in a heat location that receives dappled or vibrant, oblique daylight.
- After 4 to five weeks, give the plant a mild tug, as resistance is proof the roots are forming correctly.
Rubber Bush Pests or Illnesses
These vegetation are vulnerable to all the standard suspects, comparable to aphids, scale, spider mites, and root rot.
Whereas not usually dangerous, the sap of all rubber vegetation could trigger pores and skin irritation or an allergic response to these delicate to latex.
Ruby Rubber Plant Makes use of
This rubber tree is an distinctive clear air plant, particularly within the residence.
It not solely offers oxygen and absorbs air pollution however can even take away airborne micro organism and mould spores.
The sap is a main ingredient in making latex rubber.
