Ficus elastica 'Tineke' (v)

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rubber plant 'Tineke'

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rubber plant 'Tineke' visionspictures.com
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A tropical evergreen tree growing to 4m (13ft) or more, popularly grown in temperate climates as a houseplant for its broadly elliptical, variegated foliage to 40cm (16in) long, dark-green and cream on the upper surface, lighter on the under surface, each with a prominent midrib which along with the leaf stalk is reddish brown. In cultivation, yellow fruits can only appear on the largest plants.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Moraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Ficus can be evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers, with often leathery, simple, entire or lobed leaves and tiny flowers borne within a hollow receptacle which enlarges to form the fruit
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass or as a houseplant in a peat-free, loam-based compost with added bark chippings, in full or filtered light. Water moderately and apply a high nitrogen fertiliser every four weeks during growth. Stop feeding and keep just moist over winter. See ornamental fig cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by air layering in spring or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus