Description

Variegated leaves make the Tineke a great alternative to the conventional ‘all green’ rubber plant. Native to the tropics of India and Malaysia, the leaves of the Tineke look almost ‘painted’ and being brighter in colour, are sure to stand out. Preferring brighter conditions (which will help preserve those stunning two-tone leaves, avoid direct sun as that will lead to scorching. Similarly, this isn’t a plant to tuck away in a dark corner either – if you’re looking for a rubber plant for a darker space then it’s siblings may be a better fit.

The large oval shaped leaves and height provide instant impact and Ficus Elastica is a popular statement piece in living rooms and offices. Their glossy leaves bring great air filtering qualities and will appreciate a gentle wipe with a cloth every so often and a monthly rotation of the pot (by a quarter turn) will help it grow in peak condition.

 

Water / Feed: Water every 1-2 weeks and only until the soil is moist, not soggy. Let the soil dry out in between waterings which will help make sure the stems don’t rot. Water less in the cooler months and feed around once a month during spring and summer.

Pet / Child: Toxic if ingested, and it’s white sap can cause irritation to skin.

Temperature / Humidity: 18-21 degrees Celsius. They can survive slightly higher temperatures but they’ll suffer if the room temperature is too chilly or draughty. A constant temperature is best, so be wary if you have an open fire that can cause the room temperature to spike.

Soil Type: They’ll thrive in most well-draining soils as long as have enough aeration. Avoid acidic or alkaline soil as it’ll degrade the roots.

Light / Position: The Ficus Tineke needs bright, but indirect light. Avoid direct sun and rotate regularly to ensure even exposure.  

Growth / Spread: Fast – 1.5 to 4m tall.

Geographic Origins: South East Asia

Please note: images show how this plant may look at various stages of maturity. The size you choose may look different. Any decorative pots shown in photographs are not supplied with the plant (which is sent out in a simple nursery pot). They do however make excellent potted plants and, if you wish to pot yours up, we do have a wide range of pots on our website to choose from.