What Kind of Tree Is the Rubber Plant? A Complete Guide to the Rubber Plant
The rubber plant is a well-known potted foliage plant, also known as the Indian rubber tree, Indian banyan large-leaf green, red Burmese tree, red-mouthed rubber tree, etc. It is a large tree of the genus Ficus in the mulberry family, with high ornamental value, and is extremely suitable for indoor decorative arrangements. Small and medium-sized plants are often used to beautify living rooms and studies, while medium and large plants are suitable for placement on both sides of the entrance halls of large buildings and in the center of lobbies, appearing majestic and spectacular, and can reflect a tropical scenery.
The rubber plant can reach a height of 30 m and has abundant milky sap. The digitate compound leaves have 3 leaflets, the petiole is up to 15 cm long, the leaflets are elliptical, with 10 to 16 pairs of lateral veins, and the petiolules are 1 to 2 cm long. The inflorescence is axillary, paniculate, covered with grayish-white short pubescence. The male flower calyx lobes are ovate-lanceolate, and the female flower calyx is the same as the male but larger. The capsule is elliptical, with a pointed beak at the apex and slightly concave at the base, the exocarp is thin, with a reticulate vein pattern after drying, and the endocarp is thick and woody. The seeds are elliptical, light grayish-brown, with markings. The flowering period is from May to June.
The rubber plant is native to Brazil and is now widely cultivated in tropical regions of Asia. In China, it is cultivated in Taiwan, China, southern Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and southern Yunnan, with more planting in Hainan and Yunnan. It likes a high-temperature, humid environment with plenty of sunlight. The suitable growth temperature is 20 to 25°C, and it avoids direct sunlight. It can also tolerate shade but not cold, and the safe overwintering temperature is 5°C. It tolerates dry air. It dislikes clayey soil and does not tolerate barrenness or drought. It prefers loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
The rubber plant has a unique function of purifying dust, and can also purify formaldehyde among volatile organic compounds. The rubber plant can also absorb carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen fluoride from the air, purifying the air. The rubber plant likes places with plenty of sunlight, which ensures vigorous photosynthesis and transpiration. For offices with a lot of dust, it is most suitable to place it by the window. The rubber plant is not cold-tolerant, so do not place it in a low-temperature place in winter. Repot it once every 2 to 3 years.
The rubber plant has thick and beautiful leaves. Its leaves are broad, attractive and glossy. The red terminal bud resembles a crouching cloud, and when the stipules split open they look just like a red tassel hanging down, full of charm. As a potted plant, it is a good material for decorating hotel halls and family rooms. In the south, it is often arranged in front of buildings, in the center of flower beds and on both sides of roads.
In home feng shui, the rubber plant is connected with family harmony and the cultivation of interpersonal relationships. The placement of the rubber plant affects the fortunes and prospects of the family. Placing the rubber plant in an appropriate position indoors has the effect of inviting good fortune and promoting prosperity, and dissolving indoor yin energy and negative energy. If the living room at home has relatively sufficient light, it is an auspicious position for regulating qi in the house. Try not to place too many green plants on the balcony, so as not to block the light, while placing the rubber plant in the living room can invite good fortune.