Tropicals, Woody > Ficus > Ficus elastica > Ficus elastica 'Robusta'
Ficus elastica
'Robusta'
Robusta Rubber Tree, Robusta Rubber Plant, Robusta Rubber Bush
Origin: The species is found in India and Eastern Asia, however the cultivar Robusta is of horticultural origin.
| Family |
| Moraceae |
| Genus |
| Ficus |
| Species |
| elastica |
| Cultivar |
| 'Robusta' |
| Category |
| Tropicals, Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 10b - 11 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H1c - H2 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| 1 - 10 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 33.8 - 50 |
| Height |
| 5 - 6 m |
| Spread |
| 1 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Evergreen tree with large, dark coloured leaves. |
| Landscape |
| In the landscape, rubber trees become large wide spreading shade trees. They send down aerial roots that penetrate the soil, become woody and eventually form a trunk. Those grown as interior plants remain a manageable size due to container root restriction, can also be pruned for further size and shape control. |
| Cultivation |
| Best grown in partial to full shade in organically rich, well-drained soil. Water thoroughly, and allow soil to dry between watering. |
| Shape |
| Upright and erect. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| Pests |
| Mealybugs, scale, mites, and some fig wasps (non-pollinators will feed off the plant). |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Leaf Description |
| Large, thick, oval leaves growing up to 30 cm in length and 15 cm in width. |
| Flower Description |
| Non-flowering. |
| Colour Description |
| Leaves are very dark grey-green, with newly emerging leaves a striking red. |
| Texture Description |
| Leaves are glossy and leathery. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| By tip cuttings. |
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