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- Ficus Tineke Plant
Ficus Tineke Plant
Ficus Tineke is a select variety of Ficus elastica (FY-Kus ee-LAS-tick-uh) and one of the ‘new’ highly variegated rubber plants on the market. Elastica originates from India and Indonesia.
Some common names include:
- Rubber Tree
- Rubber Plant
- India Rubber Fig
Ficus Tineke Care
Size and Growth
Ficus Tineke is grown as a small ornamental tree or bush in use indoors. It grows outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10b to 11. Outdoors trees may reach between 50′ feet tall or more.
When used as a houseplant, Tineke grows up to 2′ – 10′ feet tall.
The size of the leaves may reach up to 12″ inches long and 5″ inches wide.
Ficus Tineke produces glossy variegated leaves reaching up to 12″ inches long and 5″ inches wide. Tineke displays striking variegated cream to almost white and green leaves. Some suggest the leaf color looks almost like watercolor.
The burgundy rubber tree is a fast-growing Ficus. Variegated Ficus has less chlorophyll and grows at a slower pace.
Flowering and Fragrance
Varieties of Ficus do flower but only when grown outdoors in their native home of Malaysia, Java, or the Himalayas. Flowering indoors is a rare occurrence. When Ficus does flower they are simple white blooms.
Its minimal fragrance only attracts fig wasps and no other kind of pollinators.
Light and Temperature
Ficus elastica Tineke does best indoors with bright, indirect light. It will tolerate lower light conditions but with less creamy variegation on the new leaves.
Indoors maintain average room temperatures above 55° degrees Fahrenheit with medium humidity levels. Consider adding a humidifier to increase humidity.
Inconsistent temperature, sudden temperature drops or cold drafts, and dry conditions can affect this Ficus.
Watering and Feeding Ficus Plants
The Ficus is a relatively low maintenance house plant. Take care not to overwater rubber plants. If the roots sit in water, they can suffer from root rot and fungus gnats can become an issue.
The indoor ficus will still seek watering according to the natural growing season. Water your plant more during the summer months and scale back during the winter months.
During warmer months feed your plant once per month with a half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer.
Soil and Transplanting
This variegated rubber tree plant thrives in light, well-draining moist soil. It can tolerate heavy clay, sandy, or loamy soils. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
It does well in either acidic or alkaline soil. Do not water until the top inch of the soil is dry.
Regardless of the Ficus variety, these plants will grow indoors. Do not overpot. Your plant should be fine in the pot it was bought in for a year. If it gets top-heavy