Ficus Elastica uses, benefits and plant care tips

uses andFicus Elastica is the botanical name of the rubber plant, a widely popular houseplant for decorating home. The flowering plant, which belongs to the Moraceae family, grows as a large tree in the banyan group of figs. It has been one of the main sources of rubber production. With its lush green, shiny leaves, the plant can uplift the look of your home while also cleaning the air. Check out this guide on how to take care. Check out this guide on how to take care of the plant at home.

Ficus Elastica: Quick facts

The plant, with its origin in the eastern regions of south and southeast Asia, has been naturalised in Sri Lanka, Florida, and the West Indies. The Ficus Elastica or the Indian Rubber Tree can grow up to a height of around 10 feet (40 metres), with its trunk growing into aerial and plank roots for support. The leaves are large and glossy.

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Ficus Elastica plant uses and benefits 

Ornamental plant

Ficus Elastica, or rubber plant, is mainly preferred in households and offices as a decorative element for interiors.

Latex

Ficus Elastica produces white, milky latex, a compound separates from the sap and stored in different cells. Earlier, latex was used for making rubber, but it is different from Pará rubber tree, the commercial source of latex to make rubber.

Improves indoor air quality

Some plants, such as Ficus Elastica, can eliminate pollutants and harmful toxins. Thus, it is an excellent choice to beautify your house and purify air.

How do you care for a Ficus elastica plant?

When growing Ficus elastica at home, make sure the plant receives adequate sunlight. They are adaptable to low light. However, it is better to keep them in an area exposed to sunlight for at least six hours a day. Besides, you must ensure the plant gets sufficient water if the leaves begin to curl or the potting mix becomes dry.

Is rubber plant good for indoor?

Ficus elastica or rubber tree are widely grown indoors. However, when growing these plants indoors, additional care must be taken so they thrive. It is essential to have the right environment of light, soil and sunlight. You can also fertilizer to it to allow a healthy growth. When kept indoors, the plants can grow up to ten feet in height while they reach up to 100 feet in their natural environment outdoors.

Can Ficus elastica live indoors?

Ficus elastica can survive indoors when given proper care, which includes bright sunlight, and if soil and water requirements are met. We discuss the plant care tips below.

Ficus Elastica plant care 

Climate

The plant grows well in a frost-free climate, ranging from tropical to the Mediterranean in outdoors. It can also be kept as a houseplant in cold climates. The plant needs bright sunlight but not hot temperatures during cultivation. It is drought resistant. However, the rubber tree also thrives well in humid, or wet conditions.

Soil

The plant prefers different soil types, except clay soils. Choose a well-draining soil, but it must retain moisture. The plant grows in wide-ranging pH from 5 to 8.3. It can also survive in slightly acidic soils ranging from 6 to 6.5.

Watering

The rubber tree requires moderate watering. However, it is better to avoid overwatering as the plant does not prefer damp roots.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for the plant is 10 to 29 degrees Celsius. In hot temperatures, the turgid appearance of the plant leaves may diminish.

Repotting

Ficus Elastica grows up into a large plant even in tiny flowerpots. However, it may stop growing at some point. Hence, repotting is necessary. Choose a bigger pot with a standard potting mix for repotting.

Ficus Elastica pollination and fruiting

Ficus Elastica flowers are pollinated by a particular fig wasp, Blastophaga clavigera. The plant does not produce colourful and fragrant flowers to attract other pollinators. The fruit of Ficus Elastica appears as a small, yellowish green oval fig. The fruits are not edible and contain fertile seeds in areas that have the presence of pollinating insects.

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