A Ficus Elastica ‘Ruby,’ also known as a Variegated Rubber Tree, is a terrific choice if you’re seeking for a new and uncommon plant to add to your indoor collection.
Aside from the lighting requirements, it’s a plant that’s easy to care for and adapts well to new situations. Proof: Mine made it all the way from California to Wisconsin through USPS and is still going strong!
I’ve been looking for a variegated monstera, but they’re really difficult to find. I went for a Ficus Elastica Ruby, commonly known as Variegated Rubber Tree, and I’m really happy with it. I purchased mine from an Etsy vendor in California who specializes in houseplants.
These plants are amazing works of art. Nature is extremely breathtaking; each leaf like a watercolor painting.
If you’re lucky enough to have one of these treasures in your house, I want you to be as happy as I am, so I’m going to share my suggestions for caring for your Variegated Rubber Tree.
Variegated Rubber Tree Light Requirements
- If you put a Variegated Rubber Tree in the shade, the variegated markings will fade.
- A sunny area protected by a sheer curtain is ideal lighting for a Variegated Rubber Tree.
- If the leaves of the Variegated Rubber Tree start to fall off or lose their color, it requires additional light.
Variegated Rubber Tree Watering Requirements
- Check that the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry before watering your Variegated Rubber Tree.
- Water your Variegated Rubber Tree until the water flows out of the bottom, making sure it can drain.
- Avoid getting the Variegated Rubber Tree’s leaves wet and don’t let it sit in water.
- Water Variegated Rubber Trees every 5-7 days in the summer and every 10-14 days in the winter, or when the leaves appear wilted.
How much does a rubber tree plant cost?
What is the price of a rubber tree plant? Rubber tree plants that are smaller and younger, about 4″ tall, cost $10 to $20. Rubber tree plants that are 6″ to 18″ tall cost $20 to $60, and larger types that are 3 feet tall cost $75 or more.
How do you keep a variegated rubber plant pink?
Pink Rubber Trees prefer a lot of bright indirect light, although they can also handle medium indirect light. Keep them out of direct sunlight to avoid scorching their foliage.
Why is my variegated rubber plant getting brown spots?
Brown spots on rubber plant leaves are one of the first symptoms that something is significantly wrong with your plant, and they indicate that you should act quickly to prevent additional damage. Brown patches are a typical indicator of a variety of issues, but we usually find that it has to do with watering concerns with rubber plants.
Overwatering Or Improper Drainage
Brown spots on a rubber plant can be a symptom of overwatering or faulty drainage, despite the fact that brown spots are normally linked with a dry plant, scorching, or underwatering. Rubber plants prefer to be watered frequently, but they don’t enjoy sitting in wet soil, so you should let the plant dry out between waterings.
Because this is a plant that requires some moisture, it’s critical not to allow the soil to become completely dry; instead, wait until the top two inches are dry to the touch before watering your plant. During the growing season, you may need to do this frequently to give your plant all the moisture it requires, but during the winter months, you will need to water your plant considerably less.
Knowing when to water your plant isn’t enough either. Overwatering symptoms might be caused by an incorrect mix or insufficient drainage holes. Use peat moss or perlite in your potting soil to assist aerate the soil. Peat moss absorbs water, while perlite adds pockets to help aerate the soil. Avoid using compost or outside soil since it is too heavy and retains too much water. Finally, your container must have drainage holes because, while a rubber plant like being damp, you do not want extra water in that pot! Drainage holes allow excess water to drain away from your plant, preventing issues such as brown patches on rubber plant leaves.
Low Humidity
Because rubber plants are adapted to living in the tropics, they thrive in extreme humidity. If you reside in a dry climate or utilize heating systems that dry up the air throughout the winter, your rubber plant may be getting considerably less humidity than it needs. Keep your plant away from heat sources like fireplaces and radiators, and place it in a room with at least 50% humidity.
It would be ideal if you could keep your rubber plant in a bathroom. If not, a humidifier is a fantastic option to increase the moisture level in a space because many models have preset values. For example, you might choose 60% humidity and your humidifier would keep the room at that level. They’re an excellent choice for those who live in less humid climates yet enjoy tropical plants such as the rubber plant.
Harsh Water
This is a less prevalent cause with rubber plants than it is with calathea, but it is still a possibility. If your water contains a lot of minerals, this might build up in the soil and cause brown stains on the leaves of rubber plants. It’s more likely that you have a humidity or watering problem. If you’ve previously eliminated them, consider switching to filtered water to see if the problem disappears.
The brown stains that are already there will not disappear, but you will be able to tell if this is working as new leaves emerge. If the problem disappears after switching to filtered water, you know that this was most likely the reason.
How do you get more variegation on a rubber tree?
The Rubber Tree comes in green, yellow, white, cream, pink, and red variegated varieties! Their vibrant hues make them the ideal statement plant for any home. Let’s go through all of the care instructions you’ll need to have a healthy variegated rubber tree.
Light
To thrive, variegated rubber trees require a lot of bright, indirect light. You’ll want to put it near a window that gets a lot of natural light. Rotate your plants frequently to ensure even development. Make sure the huge leaves are free of dust and grime so they can absorb all of the sun’s rays! Direct sunlight should be avoided because it can cause the leaves to burn.
The plant will begin to lose the beautiful variegation that has made it famous in lower light settings. Increase the brightness of the light to see more white on the leaves. You can always buy a grow light bulb to augment the light if you need it. This is a simple technique to turn any lamp or light fixture into a personal sun for your plant.
Water
One of the most crucial aspects of houseplant maintenance is watering them at the appropriate time and in the right method. Keep an eye on your variegated rubber tree to see if it needs to be watered. When the top two inches of soil are dry, water. Because these plants are prone to root rot, moist but never damp soil is ideal. When watering, make sure to water thoroughly so that water flows freely from the pot’s bottom.
Many houseplant problems are caused by improper watering, so if you’re new to houseplants or need some extra help, we recommend investing in a moisture meter like the one we use. It teaches you when to water your plants and how to keep track of their routine.
Humidity
The variegated Rubber Tree thrives in humid environments. Brown patches on the variegated margins are a regular issue with this plant. The environment is too dry, which is one of the reasons for this. Consider putting a humidifier in your room. All of your humidity-loving plants will be grateful. To enhance humidity around the plant, consider placing some other plant mates nearby or sprinkling everyday.
Fertilizer
During the growing season, from spring to summer, use a good houseplant fertilizer on this plant. Because of the strong variegation in the leaves, this plant grows slowly, thus fertilization during this period can actually help it develop faster. In the cooler months, avoid overfertilizing or fertilizing, as this can cause spindly growth.
Toxicity
Both animals and people are poisoned by this plant. Make sure curious pets and children are out of reach. Because the sap from this plant can cause skin irritation, wear gloves when pruning or propagating it.
Special Considerations
When it comes to changes in its surroundings, this Ficus can be a little cantankerous. Try to leave it alone once you’ve found the ideal position, away from any potential drafts.
What is the difference between variegated and non variegated?
Because non-variegated leaves contain more chlorophyll than variegated leaves, they might soon outgrow your plant. Variegation can still occur in plants that aren’t mostly green, with color variations ranging from yellow and orange to red and purple.
Is Black Prince and burgundy rubber plant the same?
‘Burgundy’ Rubber Tree A popular ornamental plant is the rubber plant (Ficus elastica). An wonderful choice for a foliage-rich specimen plant in a pot. The leaves of ‘Black Prince’ or ‘Burgundy’ are nearly black reddish in color.
How do you take care of variegation?
Monstera deliciosa is a hardy and easy-to-care-for flowering plant native to southern Mexico and Panama. It goes by various names, but the most common is Monstera deliciosa “The peculiar development of ridges and holes on its more mature leaves has earned it the nickname “Swiss cheese plant.” ‘The’ “The “deliciosa” component of the plant’s name refers to the pineapple-like fruit it produces in its natural environment!
The care required for the Variegated Monstera is comparable to that required for the solid green Monstera deliciosa. The key difference is that the variegated Monstera leaves’ white half cannot absorb light, therefore the plant has to work twice as hard to photosynthesize. As a result, low light circumstances are not optimal, and to keep your variegated Monstera happy, you should keep it in high ambient light.
Monsteras prefer a warm, humid climate with plenty of water and soft sunlight. Place your Monstera away from drafts and vents where it will be exposed to dry air, and in a location with medium to bright indirect light.
If you’re unsure about the lighting in your home or business, we’ve put together a primer on how to measure light.
Can I plant two rubber plants together?
Did you realize that the multi-stemmed Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) you bought at the store is probably made up of several separate plants potted together in the same container? To make the pot appear fuller, nurseries frequently do this with plants that don’t stem well. Is it feasible to separate the individual plants from one another if you want your plant to have the traditional single-trunk look?
It is feasible to separate individual Rubber Trees that have been planted together in a single container. Simply take the root ball from the container, wash away as much soil as possible, and gently disentangle each plant’s roots, cutting away roots only as needed. This works well in the springtime.
Rubber trees develop only one stem from a single root ball in the majority of cases. If you have a plant with two, three, or even four stems sticking out of the dirt, those are likely to be different plants.
Because Rubber Trees develop so quickly, each plant’s root system is likely already entwined with the others, forming one large root ball, making separation a little more difficult. You’ll learn the benefits and drawbacks of dividing your Rubber Tree, as well as how to effectively set up your separated Rubber Tree plants for success, by reading this article.