Indian Rubber Tree 'Sylvie' (Ficus elastica)

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Features

Easy-care and incredible tropical appeal have made Rubber Trees a popular houseplant for generations. ‘Sylvie’ offers all the reliability of the old-fashioned Rubber Plant with a fabulous new flair. The multi-colored foliage adds a decorator touch indoors, or use outdoors in warm seasons to brighten up a porch, shady patio or balcony.

Uses

Perfect for all kinds of containers. Makes a breathtaking potted specimen plant. May be displayed outdoors in warmer weather.

Plant Feed

Once every month during growing season.

Watering

Water every 5 to 7 days depending on light and temperature. Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

Soil

All-purpose mix.

Basic Care Summary

Keep soil evenly moist. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth. Dust or wipe off leaves for best display. Prune branches to maintain desired size.

Planting Instructions

Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.



Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.



Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Remove the plant from its pot.



Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in a reliably sunny location.



Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.

Watering Instructions

Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.



Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.

Pruning Instructions

Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.

Fertilizing Instuctions

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.



Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.



Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.

Plant Details

Category Houseplants
Height Range 4-6′
Height Metric Range 1.2-1.8m
Space Range 3-4′
Space Metric Range 0.9-1.2m
Available Colors Grown for foliage
Companion Plants Palms, Dieffenbachia, Schefflera
Lowest Temperature 60° to 80°F
Lowest Temperature Metric 16° to 27°C
Bloom Time Grown for foliage
Plant Light Medium Light
Hardiness Zone 11, 12
Basic Care Instructions

Plant Feed

Once every month during growing season.

Watering

Water every 5 to 7 days depending on light and temperature. Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

Soil

All-purpose mix.

Basic Care Summary

Keep soil evenly moist. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth. Dust or wipe off leaves for best display. Prune branches to maintain desired size.

Detailed Care Instructions

Planting Instructions

Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.



Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.



Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Remove the plant from its pot.



Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in a reliably sunny location.



Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.

Watering Instructions

Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.



Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.

Pruning Instructions

Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.

Fertilizing Instuctions

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.



Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.



Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.