Full Size Variegated Rubber Tree

Product Details

The newest leaf on a Variegated Rubber Tree arrives rolled tight inside a rosy sheath, then unfurls slowly into a broad, glossy paddle marbled in cream, green, and pink. The leaves are thick and almost hand-sized, polished enough to throw the light back at you, and the variegation lands differently on every one, so no two are quite alike. Every new leaf that opens brings a little more colour, which is unusual in a world of plants you keep mainly for their green.

The Ficus elastica is native to the forests of South Asia, and is more easygoing than its colour suggests, asking mainly for bright light to keep all that cream and pink from fading. This one stands around 3 to 4 feet (about 1 to 1.2 m), full and branching, and it grows steadily into a taller tree over the years if you let it.

Care

How big does a Variegated Rubber Tree get? A Variegated Rubber Tree can reach 6 to 10 feet (about 1.8 to 3 m) indoors over the years, growing into a proper floor-standing tree. This one is a fuller, branching specimen at around 3 to 4 feet, with plenty of room to climb. If it ever grows taller than you'd like, a trim to the top keeps it at your preferred height and encourages it to bush out.

How much light does a Variegated Rubber Tree need? A Variegated Rubber Tree wants plenty of bright, indirect light, more than the plain green kind, because that light is what holds the cream and pink in the leaves. In a dim spot the new growth comes in greener and the plant stretches and slows, so a position near a bright window is ideal. A little gentle morning sun is welcome, but keep it off harsh midday glare, which can scorch the paler patches.

How often should I water a Variegated Rubber Tree? Water your Variegated Rubber Tree when the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil feel dry, then water thoroughly and let it drain. It would far rather be a touch dry than sit wet, since soggy roots are the one thing it won't forgive. Wiping the big leaves with a damp cloth now and then keeps them glossy and helps them drink in the light.

Does a Variegated Rubber Tree need feeding? A Variegated Rubber Tree benefits from a light, regular feed while it is growing. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half strength about once a month through spring and summer, then let it rest over fall and winter. Steady feeding keeps those colourful new leaves coming.

Are Variegated Rubber Trees hard to care for? A Variegated Rubber Tree is more good-natured than its showy looks suggest. Give it bright light and let the soil dry between waterings, and it largely takes care of itself. Older leaves at the base will drop as it grows taller, which is simply the plant maturing rather than a problem.

Can I prune a Variegated Rubber Tree? A Variegated Rubber Tree takes well to pruning whenever you want to shape it or keep its height in check. Cut just above a leaf node, and it will branch out and grow fuller below the cut. The stems leak a milky sap when trimmed, so wear gloves and keep it off your skin and surfaces.

Pet-friendly?

The Variegated Rubber Tree is not pet-friendly. Like all rubber trees, its leaves and stems carry a milky sap that is toxic to cats and dogs and can irritate them, so it is best kept where they cannot reach it. If you live with pets who like to test the greenery, our pet-friendly collection has plenty of statement plants that are safe alongside them.

Is the Variegated Rubber Tree safe for dogs? The Variegated Rubber Tree is not safe for dogs. If a dog chews the leaves or stems, the sap can cause drooling, mouth irritation, and an upset stomach, and it can irritate the skin on contact too. Standing this one up on its own where a dog won't brush or bite the lower leaves keeps everyone happy.

Is the Variegated Rubber Tree poisonous to cats? The Variegated Rubber Tree is toxic to cats. The same milky sap irritates their mouth and stomach if chewed, and can bother their skin when they groom it off, so a spot beyond a curious cat's reach is safest. We are glad to suggest pet-safe statement plants if a cat rules your home.

Factoids

Why is it called a Rubber Tree? The Rubber Tree earns its name from the milky white latex in its stems and leaves, which was once tapped and processed into natural rubber. That same sap is why you wear gloves to prune it. You'll see the plant sold as both rubber tree and rubber plant, but they are the same species.

Why are the new leaves pink? Each new leaf on a Variegated Rubber Tree pushes out wrapped in a slim rosy sheath that protects it as it forms. As the leaf unfurls, that sheath drops away and the fresh leaf shows its brightest pink before settling into its mature cream and green. It is a small, recurring show that the variegated kinds put on best.

Did rubber trees really build bridges? In northeast India, people train the aerial roots of rubber trees across rivers to grow into living bridges. The roots slowly knit together and strengthen over time, and some of these bridges have been in use for more than a hundred years. Your houseplant is a smaller, gentler member of the same remarkable family.

Buy a Variegated Rubber Tree

No two Variegated Rubber Trees wear their colour the same way, since the cream and pink fall differently across every leaf. The best way to choose yours is to see it. Book a free video shopping call and we will show you the plant live, turn it so you can see how the variegation sits, and help you pick the one whose colouring you like best. Book your call here. Then our own van and driver bring it to your door, leaves clean and undamaged, so it arrives looking just as it did on the call. Let's grow something beautiful together.

Title (55): Variegated Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) | Dahing Plants Meta (157): A Variegated Rubber Tree with thick, glossy leaves marbled in cream, green and pink. Easy to care for, delivered by our own van. See it on a free video call.