Ruby Rubber Plant · Ficus elastica Ruby
Also known as: Rubber plant, Rubber tree, Indian rubber tree, Variegated rubber plant
Grow in a loam-based or other well-drained houseplant compost. Place in bright, indirect light; insufficient light causes the pink and cream variegation to fade. Water thoroughly when the top few centimetres of the compost feel dry, and make sure excess water drains away freely. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-4 weeks from spring to summer, withholding feed in winter. Keep temperatures above 5°C, and avoid cold draughts; the plant grows best at 16-24°C.
Take 10-15 cm stem-tip cuttings in late spring or early summer. Remove the lower leaves, rinse the cut end in lukewarm water to remove latex, then insert into moist cutting compost. Root in bright, indirect light at 20-25°C with high humidity; roots usually form within 3-5 weeks. Air layering is also successful for larger plants.
