Ficus
elastica, is commonly known as the rubber fig, rubber bush,
rubber tree, rubber plant, or Indian rubber bush and is a native to northeast India and southern
Indonesia. It grows up to 30–40 metres (98–130 ft) (rarely up to 60 metres /
200 feet) tall, with a stout trunk up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) diameter. The trunk
develops aerial
and buttressing
roots to anchor it in the soil and help support heavy branches.
Ficus elastica prefers bright sunlight but not hot
temperatures. It has a high tolerance for drought, but prefers humidity and
thrives in wet, tropical conditions.
Ficus elastica can be grown by asexual propagation i.e. by planting cuttings
or air layering.
Air layering is done by cutting a slit in the plant's stem. The wound, which
oozes with the plant's latex, is packed with rooting hormone and
wrapped tightly with moist sphagnum moss. The whole structure is wrapped
in plastic and left for a few months. When it is unwrapped, new roots have
developed from the plant's auxiliary buds. The stem is severed and the new
plant is potted on its own.
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