The Rubber Tree Plant

Ficus elastica the rubber fig rubber bush rubber tree rubber plant or indian rubber bush indian rubber tree is a species of plant in the fig genus native to eastern parts of south asia and southeast asia it has become naturalized in sri lanka the west indies and the us state of florida.

The rubber tree plant.

And a large area of bark. A rubber tree plant is also known as a ficus elastica these large trees can grow up to 50 feet 15 m tall. Cultivated on plantations in the tropics and subtropics especially in southeast asia and western africa it replaced the rubber plant in the early 20th century as the chief source of natural rubber it has soft wood. Rubber trees formally ficus elastica can be enjoyed as either medium sized house plants or grown to become focal point beautiful indoor trees if you re patient enough to grow your own plants that start out younger when you buy them adapt better to indoor living than starting with a more mature plant.

In its native jungle habitat in india and malaysia the plant can grow up to 100 feet tall. Rubber tree hevea brasiliensis south american tropical tree of the spurge family euphorbiaceae. If you re new to plant parenting a rubber tree is the plant for you. Many people put their rubber trees near a window where the light is filtered through a pair of sheer curtains.

With its glossy leathery leaves and upright form it s a striking addition to almost any room in your house. Rubber tree plant care sun. Rubber trees do not require much light but flourish in bright indirect light.