How to Grow Ficus Elastica Burgundy - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Ficus elastica burgundy is a beautiful plant that is native to Indonesia. It is a member of the Moraceae family and is also known as the rubber tree. The leaves of this plant are large, dark green, and glossy. The stems are thick and strong, and the roots are deep and fibrous. The burgundy plant can grow to be over 30 feet tall and is one of the most popular houseplants in the world.

How to Grow Ficus Elastica Burgundy - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • syn. Ficus elastica 'Burgundy', Ficus elastica decora
  • Indian rubber tree
  • Bengal rubber tree
  • Decorative rubber tree
  • Burgundy rubber tree

Things to Know

  • Ficus elastica burgundy is a plant native to South Asia.
  • It is also known as the rubber tree, Indian rubber plant, or simply the ficus tree.
  • Ficus elastica burgundy is a popular houseplant.
  • It is known for its glossy, dark leaves.
  • Ficus elastica burgundy can grow up to 30 feet tall.
  • The plant likes bright light but can also tolerate some shade.
  • Ficus elastica burgundy is not drought tolerant and needs to be watered regularly.
  • The plant can be propagated from stem cuttings.
  • Ficus elastica burgundy is susceptible to root rot if overwatered.
  • It is also susceptible to pests such as mealybugs, scale, and spider mites.

Related plant:
Ficus Variegata

Growing Steps

  1. For ficus elastica burgundy, first step is to choose the right plant. Ficus elastica burgundy is a very popular houseplant, so you should be able to find it at your local nursery or garden center.
  2. The second step is to plant the ficus elastica burgundy in a well-draining pot.
  3. Water the ficus elastica burgundy regularly, making sure to never let the soil dry out completely.
  4. Place the ficus elastica burgundy in a bright spot, but be sure to avoid direct sunlight.
  5. Fertilize the ficus elastica burgundy every few months using a balanced fertilizer.
  6. Prune the ficus elastica burgundy as needed to keep it looking its best.
  7. Inspect the ficus elastica burgundy regularly for pests or diseases and treat accordingly.
  8. The eighth step is to enjoy your beautiful ficus elastica burgundy!
  9. Remember to keep up with the regular watering, fertilizing, and pruning to keep your ficus elastica burgundy looking its best.
  10. With proper care, your ficus elastica burgundy can thrive for many years.

Related plant:
Audrey Ficus

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, for ficus elastica burgundy, the best type of soil is something that is loose and not too dense. This plant does not do well in compacted or hard soils. It needs soil that will allow its roots to spread out and breathe. The soil should also be able to retain moisture, but not be constantly wet or soggy. A good mix for this plant would be something like two parts peat moss to one part perlite.

About light

So, like the other rubber plants, the ficus elastica burgundy prefers bright indirect sunlight. If you can provide a spot near a south- or west-facing window, that would be ideal. But if not, any other bright spot in your home will do. Just be sure to keep it away from direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves.

The Temperature

The temperature conditions that are ideal for a Ficus Elastica Burgundy are warm conditions. This plant does not do well in cold conditions and will not thrive if the temperature gets too cold. The best way to ensure that your Ficus Elastica Burgundy is getting the warm conditions it needs is to provide it with a warm, sunny spot in your home.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 40%. If the humidity gets too low, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity gets too high, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, this family of plant foods has three major macronutrients that plants need in large quantities: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These are often referred to as N-P-K. In addition to these macronutrients, fertilizer also contains micronutrients that plants need in much smaller quantities, such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and boron. Fertilizer can be in the form of a dry pellet, granule, or powder, or it can be a liquid that's diluted with water and applied with a sprayer. Ficus elastica 'Burgundy' is an attractive houseplant that's easy to care for. It's a well-behaved member of the ficus family, which is notorious for being fussy. 'Burgundy' has deep purple leaves and stems, and it's a compact plant that doesn't get too large. When it comes to fertilizer, 'Burgundy' doesn't need a lot. Once every two weeks is sufficient. If you fertilize more often than that, you may see leaf drop. The best fertilizer for 'Burgundy' is one that's balanced, with an N-P-K ratio of 20-20-20.

About light

Pruning your Ficus Elastica Burgundy is essential to maintaining its health and keeping it looking its best. Pruning will encourage new growth and help to keep the plant compact and bushy. When pruning, always use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Start by pruning off any dead or damaged leaves or stems. Then, prune back any leggy or overgrown stems to encourage new growth. Be sure to prune regularly to keep your Ficus Elastica Burgundy looking its best!

The Propagation

Propagation is typically done by stem cuttings taken from the tips of healthy, disease-free stems. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and have at least two leaves. Place the cuttings in a well-drained rooting mix and water thoroughly. Keep the mix moist but not wet and in a warm, humid environment until roots have developed and new growth appears. Once the new plants are established, they can be transplanted to individual pots or outdoors to a garden bed.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is about 3 feet per year. However, some grow at a much faster rate of up to 10 feet per year. The growth rate of your plant will depend on the conditions it is grown in. If it is grown in ideal conditions, then it will likely grow at a faster rate.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are pests and diseases. pests include spider mites, scale, and whiteflies. Diseases include root rot, leaf spot, and wilt.Spider mites are tiny spider-like creatures that suck the juices out of plants. They are most active in warm, dry weather. Scale are small, hard-bodied insects that suck the juices out of plants. They can be found on the stems, leaves, and fruits of plants. Whiteflies are small, winged insects that suck the juices out of plants. They are most active in warm, humid weather. Root rot is a disease that can be caused by too much water, poor drainage, or contaminated soil. Leaf spot is a disease that can be caused by too much water, poor air circulation, or contaminated soil. Wilt is a disease that can be caused by too much water, poor drainage, or damaged roots.

Basics of Growing

  • Make sure to plant your ficus elastica burgundy in a well-draining pot.
  • Water your plant regularly, but do not over-water.
  • Place your plant in a bright, sunny spot.
  • Ficus elastica burgundy plants prefer high humidity, so misting them regularly will help to keep their leaves healthy and glowing.
  • These plants can grow quite large, so be prepared to repot them into a larger pot as they mature.
  • Prune your plant regularly to encourage new growth and maintain its shape.
  • If your plant starts to drop leaves, it is likely due to either too much or too little water. Check the moisture levels in the soil and adjust accordingly.
  • Yellow leaves on a ficus elastica burgundy plant are usually a sign of too much direct sunlight. Move your plant to a spot with filtered light if this happens.
  • These plants

Related Plants

  • Ficus americana (oak-leaved fig or wasp fig)
  • Ficus australis (strangler fig or rock fig)
  • Ficus benjamina (weeping fig)
  • Ficus benghalensis (banyan tree)
  • Ficus carica (fig tree)
  • Ficus coronata (crown fig)
  • Ficus deremensis (decker's fig)
  • Ficus fraseri ( Fraser's fig)
  • Ficus ingens (rock fig)
  • Ficus microcarpa (Chinese banyan)

Source:
Care and Selection of Ficus - Cornell Cooperative Extension
Ficus elastica (Moraceae) - HEAR species info
Ficus elastica 'Rubra' | Biology - University of Iowa

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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Trees Category