Rubber Plants or Rubber Trees

Botanical name is Ficus elastica and it is known by many names: Rubber Fig, Rubber Bush, Rubber Tree, Rubber Plant and Indian Rubber Tree.  Native to Southeast Asia but extensively naturalized in Sri Lanka, West Indies, Caribbean islands and warmer states in the United States.

Ficus elastica has a rich history in both European and American history as favorite Victorian era indoor plants and hot houses.  Today, we are seeing a large resurgence of popularity being driven by the classic elegance, but even more so on the new exciting cultivars bringing unrivalled beauty back to the temperate climate indoors.