A rubber tree plant is also known as a ficus elastica.
What does a rubber tree plant look like.
The rubber plant is all about having a small tree indoors with broad shiny attractive leaves.
But indoors a rubber tree typically tops out at 6 to 10 feet tall.
In its native jungle habitat in india and malaysia the plant can grow up to 100 feet tall.
Don t worry though as a houseplant rubber plants usually get to around 8 10.
The rubber tree or plant ficus elastica decora is a favorite houseplant.
Ficus elastica more commonly known as a rubber plant rubber tree or rubber tree plant is a popular houseplant because of its waxy leaves and larger than life appearance.
Its sap is used to produce rubber hence the name.
New leaves have a rosy colored sheath.
With its glossy leathery leaves and upright form it s a striking addition to almost any room in your house.
With careful pruning you can shape your rubber tree to be exactly as tall as you want.
The most common variegated type is pictured further above resembling army khaki.
The variegated ficus tineke pictured below is a really pretty rubber tree in the ficus family their leaves start out pink with painted green and they turn mostly green and white once they fully open.
The rubber plant is also known as ficus elastica and rubber tree.
As a domesticated houseplant rubber plants grow anywhere between six to ten feet tall.
These large trees can grow up to 50 feet 15 m tall.
The ficus benjamina or weeping fig drops leaves like it s fall every day.
Caring for rubber trees.
If you re new to plant parenting a rubber tree is the plant for you.
You may find this plant labeled either as a rubber tree or rubber fig.
The ficus lyrata or fiddleleaf fig is revered in the groovy design world but we know many find it a challenge to grow.
Ficus elastica which is what rudy is is considered the most common type of rubber tree.
Rubber trees will grow well in most homes with just a little care.
The rubber aspect of its name comes from the rubber white sap that oozes out of the glossy leaves and woody stems if they re scratched or cut.
How it looks and displaying.
Rubber plants have large thick glossy green leaves.
In its native environment it s normal for a rubber plant to grow to over 100 tall.