Ficus Elastica, Burgundy

Ficus Elastica, Burgundy
Sun Preference
Bright Indirect
As low as: $0.00

Description

An ornamental accent plant producing large, oval, glossy green leaves with a burgundy tint and bright red midribs; direct sunlight produces the darkest burgundy color; grows quite large in frost free areas; a popular houseplant in colder climates

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Details

Height: 30 feet

Spread: 30 feet

Sunlight: full sun partial shade

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Other Names: Rubber Plant, Rubber Fig

Description:

An ornamental accent plant producing large, oval, glossy green leaves with a burgundy tint and bright red midribs; direct sunlight produces the darkest burgundy color; grows quite large in frost free areas; a popular houseplant in colder climates

Ornamental Features

Burgundy Rubber Tree has attractive dark green foliage with pointy red spines and tinges of burgundy. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant.

Landscape Attributes

Burgundy Rubber Tree is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Burgundy Rubber Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Shade
  • Hedges/Screening
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Burgundy Rubber Tree will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Burgundy Rubber Tree is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

More Information

Common Family Name Ficus
Sun Preference Bright Indirect

Product Questions (13)

Gertens carries annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, water plants, house plants, edibles, cacti/succulents, seasonal blooming holiday plants and a wide variety of bulbs and seeds!
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Hardiness is the capacity of a cultivated plant to withstand adverse conditions, usually its tolerance of low temperature. Plants are given a hardiness rating by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 11 zones based on the coldest or warmest temperature...
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Spider mites are common on house plants in our warm dry homes but are easily controlled with diluted rubbing alcohol or dish soup sprayed on the infected plant. Pyrethrin is an organic insecticide that will kill most insects on houseplants. The most ...
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Yes! Apply neem oil early in the morning or at night when beneficial insects are dormant. This also protects the foliage from burning from the combination of sunlight and the oil. Keep in mind that it does take time for neem oil to work and you may need...
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Plants growing in pots should be repotted when the roots start growing out of the drain holes. Typically, the new pot should be just one size larger than the pot it’s been growing in. Never use garden soil in a pot. Always use a soilless container mix...
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Yes, you can overwater plants. Especially in pots but also in the ground, however, planting in the ground allows for better water dispersion so the odds of overwatering are less. Low lying areas may be more prone to flooding. Areas with clay soil also...
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A rough estimate for the last frost date here in zone 4b is the first week of May. This is not exact, as Minnesota weather can be variable, but it does help for plantings.
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Indoor lighting and supplement lighting are big topics. Fluorescent lights have been used to grow seedlings and must be within inches of the plants to be useful. The introduction of LED lights has improved the usefulness of grow lights dramatically. ...
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Pottery for depends on the houseplant. For plants which like to be drier at the root, such as: palms, citrus, succulents, and cacti, use an unglazed terracotta pot. For houseplants...
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Use ant repellents.  Terro = Grease Ants Revenge = Garden Ants NOTE: Before bringing...
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Root stimulators provide a hormone to the root system to recover faster from any damage done during the transplant process. This will also help the roots grow faster and stronger. To view Gertens recommended root stimulator, click ...
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Full sun is six or more hours of direct sunlight (Note: afternoon sun is the hottest). West side: plants that like it hot and dry.  Part sun is four to six hours of sunlight including some afternoon...
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Mulch helps stabilizes soil moisture and temperature. Gertens experts recommend Red Cedar mulch, from that fact that the cedar oil repels soft body insects. Place mulch 2 ...
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