Ficus ruby is known for being an evergreen plant that can provide year-round interest in the home or landscape. It has deep green, glossy leaves that are often have a burgundy hue. The ficus ruby can grow anywhere from six to ten feet tall and wide, making it a good choice for use as a living screen or hedge. This plant does best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Related plant:
Ficus Variegata
Related plant:
Ficus Burgundy
About soil condition, ficus ruby can grow in various soil but prefer well-drained, fertile soil. It's adaptable to different soil types, but doesn't like wet, mucky or clay soils. This plant is drought tolerant and will do just fine in average home gardens as long as you don't overwater it.
Like the other ficus plants, the ficus ruby requires bright, indirect sunlight to maintain its vibrant color. If the plant does not receive enough sunlight, it will begin to lose its color and eventually turn green. The ficus ruby can tolerate low light conditions, but it will not thrive and may even die if left in a dark corner for too long.
The temperature conditions that ficus ruby thrive in are warm and humid. They do best in temperatures that are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too cold, the leaves of the ficus ruby will start to turn yellow and drop off.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40-50%. The leaves of the plant will start to brown and fall off if the humidity drops below 40%. If the humidity is too high, the plant will be susceptible to fungal diseases.
For the fertilizer, this kind of plant prefers something with a low nitrogen content. The root system is very sensitive to too much nitrogen, so be careful not to overdo it. A good rule of thumb is to use a fertilizer that is one-third the strength of what is recommended on the package.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your ficus ruby healthy and looking its best. Pruning allows you to remove dead or dying leaves and branches, as well as shaping the plant to your desired look. When pruning, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears and make clean cuts at a 45-degree angle.
Propagation is easy and can be done by rooting stem cuttings. Cut a 6-8 inch (15-20 cm) section of stem below a node (the area on the stem where leaves are attached). Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone and plant in moistened potting mix. Place the pot in a warm location out of direct sunlight and keep the soil moist. New roots will form and new growth will appear in 4-6 weeks. Once the plant is well-rooted, it can be transplanted to a larger pot or planted in the garden.
Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been conducted in tropical climates. The average growth rate is between 3 and 6 inches (7.6 and 15.2 cm) per year, with a range of 1 to 12 inches (2.5 to 30.5 cm) reported. Growth rates are highly dependent on growing conditions, such as temperature, humidity, nutrition, and water availability.
Common problems for this kind of plant are leaf drop, yellow leaves, and root rot. These problems are often caused by too much water, too little light, or too much fertilizer. To solve these problems, you should adjust your watering, lighting, and fertilizing schedules. If you continue to have problems, you may need to repot your ficus ruby in fresh soil.
Source:
Care and Selection of Ficus - Cornell Cooperative Extension
(PDF) Ficus elastica: Rubber Tree1 | Dennis Watson - Academia.edu
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