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Rubber Plant “Abidjan”
Latin name
Ficus elastica “Abidjan” (Dark)
Pronounciation
(“FY-kus ell-ASS-tik-ah”)
Common name
Ficus elastica
Origin
India and Malaysia
How easy am I to care for?
Rubber Plant “Abidjan”, also known as Ficus elastica, is an attractive large-leaved foliage plant with very dark, glossy oval leaves that have a pale, almost grey, underside. The leaves emerge from red leaf sheaths
Ficus elastica is the original rubber plant. Elastica obviously means elastic, and refers to the sticky latex that exudes from the plant whenever its stems or leaves are damaged. This was used for the manufacture of soft rubber goods, such as elastic bands and erasers until the south American plant Hevea brasiliensis was introduced to south-east Asia in commercial plantations.
Ficus elastica was first introduced to the UK as a decorative plant in 1815. All our potted plants come in compostable coir pots.
Caring for your plant
Light
Medium-low – medium
Watering
Keep soil moist and do not dry out completely. As a rainforest plant, it will tolerate the occasional accidental overwatering
Pruning
Small plants will rarely need pruning, but once they have grown to a more substantial size, branches can be cut back to a bud to encourage branching or to maintain an attractive shape
Feeding
Add dilute fertilizer to the water every time you water the plant
Pest & Diseases
Occasional mealybug, which can be controlled by keeping your plant clean