The scientific name is Ficus elastica, part of the banyan group under the ficus genus. It belongs to the fig family known as Moraceae. There are more than 1,100 species that mainly thrive in tropical and subtropical countries.
Ficus elastica is native to many countries in Asia, such as:
- Malaysia
- China
- Nepal
- India
- Bhutan
- and Indonesia
The tropical climate suits it best. It has become naturalized in other regions, including the West Indies and Hawaii.
It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant, though other countries have unique ways of finding a use for it. In some areas in India, people use the roots of fully grown ones as “living bridges.”
These areas are prone to heavy downpours, so these living bridges prevent the flooding from cutting off villages. In the past, people also used the tree’s white latex. It is a chemical compound different from sap. It is used to make rubber. For Feng shui experts and practitioners, they symbolize fortune and good luck.
They come in different varieties that can be distinguished by their variegated leaves & height. The widely known varieties include:
- Tineke
- Tricolor
- Burgundy
- Decora
- Robusta
- Melany
- Abidjan
- Doescheri
- and Dwarf Ficus elastica
In this article, we listed three of the most popular varieties. There’s a guide on how to care for each of them. It includes watering and temperature needs. We’ll also talk about light needs. Speaking of lists, you may want to check out our list of the best plasma cutters for your money.
Variegated ones
Variegation is the appearance of at least two colors on the flowers, stems, or leaves. These may appear as spots or stripes. It borders with a different shade than the rest of the variegated section. This happens not because of adaptation but due to a shortage of chlorophyll in cells, leading to cell mutation. Variegation can be inherited, but it can also occur randomly. That’s a process known as chimeric.
Variegation is genetic when the color change is consistent and stable. If you propagate a colored plant with green leaves, the new one should have both colored and green leaves.
Meanwhile, chimeral variegation occurs when one has one tissue that can yield chlorophyll and another that cannot. This often results in a type that has a yellow or white color and a solid green zone. Chimeral variegation may appear either through random or asymmetrical patterns.
In some cases, variegation happens due to a viral infection. One of the most common is the Mosaic virus, which results in mosaic-like patterns on the infected parts.
Variegation is also present among certain varieties of Ficus Elastica. One example is Ficus Elastica Ruby, which we introduced in the section above. These prized possessions exhibit red midribs and cream-yellow patches splashed against the shade of green.
Caring for variegated ones is no different from maintaining traditional ones. This variety needs well-lit spots where it can get enough indirect sunlight. It requires watering every week in summer and every two weeks during winter.
If the color appears to be fading, it probably needs more light. Variegated ones can tolerate low-light settings. Too much shade would cause their colored markings to disappear over time.
This variety also enjoys humidity. You may need to mist it daily or have a humidifier to keep it healthy and vibrant. Another remedy for lack of humidity is placing it on a pebble tray half-filled with water. Falling leaves are an indicator of low humidity levels.
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