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Glossary

Rubber Tree, Ficus elastica

Go to - Landscape Trees
Landscape Shrubs

Family - Moraceae

India Rubber tree, Rubber plant

Occasionally used as a landscape tree, the Rubber tree plant is more common as a potted specimen used indoors or on a patio.

A native of India & Indonesia, this tree can exceed 100 feet in its home range, in Florida it is fast growing, reaching about 40 feet tall with a more or less equal spread.

The thick elliptic leaves may be over 12 inches long and are copper colored when new. There are a few cultivars available, one has reddish to copper colored foliage,  another has yellow and green variegated leaves.

U.S.D.A. zones 10 - 11, Full sun to partial shade, if as a container plant indoors Rubber trees should be given as much light as possible.

Most soils are acceptable, as long as it is well drained. Water thoroughly & allow to dry out well between watering.

Surface roots may lift sidewalks, driveways or other concrete structures if planted too closely.

The Rubber tree's natural habit of growth is with multiple trunks but they can be pruned when young to train as a single trunked tree. No serious pests, subject to damage in high winds. Excellent drought tolerance, medium salt air tolerance.

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