Ficus elastica 'Belize' - Variegated Rubber Tree

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The Ficus elastica grows like a miniature tree, with its broad, many-shaded leaves branching off a central stem. This variety's variegated leaves are tinted pink, with shades of cr eam, olive and forest green in the mix too. This colouring marks it out as a standout shrub, an ideal centrepiece or statement plant which will add interest to any room. In the wild, these trees can grow up to 60m tall - in your home it will be more like 2m (6ft) which, indoors, is still quite the presence! Add a more than a little splash of colour to your home with this beautiful plant.Scientific NameFicus elastica 'Belize' (springy fig, cultivar: Belize)Common NameVariegated Rubber Tree, Pink Rubber Plant OriginNative to Asia, from the Himalayas to Malaysia, Sumatra and JavaLightYour Ficus will thrive best in bright, indirect light for most of the day, but a splash of morning or evening sun will go down well and help avoid both overwatering and loss of variegation.WaterAllow the top half of the soil to dry out between watering; the pot will also be lighter at this point. Reduce even further in winter when the water will evaporate less. HumidityLikes high humidity; your plant will appreciate the addition of a humidity tray! SoilUse a well-draining soil mix. A mix with chunky elements like bark alongside moisture-retentive coir will work well; look out for mixes designed for Ficus plants. Repot every three years in the spring as the plant grows.FoodFeed every four waters in the growing season, reduce to every six in autumn and winter.TemperatureIdeal temperature is 18-26°C; make sure it does not get colder than 12°C in winter.Pet-safeNo, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.Sprouts Top TipsKeep an eye out for lower-leaf loss; this will tell you if your plant is in too dark a location and/or too full of water. This is how you get a rotten plant, so it's important to watch for early signs and avoid it at all costs. It's important due to the variegation on this plant that it gets enough light, so try and choose a location where it gets some morning or evening sun (like a west- or east-facing window) and this should help avoid overwatering too. Show more