{"product_id":"ficus-elastica-robusta","title":"Robusta Rubber Plant - Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRobusta Rubber Plant - Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Robusta’ is the broad leaved selection of \u003cem\u003eFicus elastica\u003c\/em\u003e, with thick leathery blades noticeably wider and heavier than the ordinary rubber plant, held on a stout upright stem. The leaf surface is high gloss and deep green, and new growth pushes out of a red sheath that peels away as the leaf unfurls. It is grown two very different ways in Australia: as an architectural container plant for shaded interiors and covered terraces, and as a fast growing shade tree in frost free coastal and tropical gardens where there is genuine room for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Robusta Rubber Plant\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf scale\u003c\/strong\u003e: Individual leaves often reach 200 to 300mm long, giving bold structure that fine foliage plants cannot match.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow light tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e: It holds colour and form in bright indirect light indoors, which is why it remains a commercial planting standard.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth speed\u003c\/strong\u003e: In warm conditions it puts on height quickly and responds to tip pruning by branching rather than sulking.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarm climate vigour\u003c\/strong\u003e: Planted out in frost free ground it becomes a large spreading tree with buttressed roots, so it needs open space away from paving, pipes and footings.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSap warning\u003c\/strong\u003e: The milky latex is a skin irritant and the plant is toxic if eaten, worth knowing where children or pets are around.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge interior specimen\u003c\/strong\u003e: A single plant in a wide pot anchors a corner in an office foyer or high ceilinged living room.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCovered outdoor rooms\u003c\/strong\u003e: Verandahs, atriums and courtyard voids with filtered light suit it year round in warm districts.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTropical shade tree\u003c\/strong\u003e: In Brisbane north and in Darwin it makes a broad, dense canopy for large properties and parkland.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarm climate screening\u003c\/strong\u003e: Planted in a line in the ground it forms a tall evergreen mass quickly, provided the long term size is accepted.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 3m apart in the ground, closer in containers\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 to 12m apart if grown on as trees, and at least 8m from any structure\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and summer, when soil is warm and growth is active\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, free draining soil or a quality potting mix, consistently moist but never waterlogged\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water when the top 50mm of mix dries out and reduce watering sharply through winter, as cold wet roots cause more losses than drought. Wipe or hose the leaves occasionally to keep the gloss and to discourage scale and mealybug, and feed monthly through the growing season.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 3m in containers, 10 to 20m or more if planted in the ground in a frost free climate\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 2m in containers, 8 to 15m as a mature tree\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright indirect light indoors, full sun to part shade outdoors in warm climates\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e North eastern India, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Insignificant\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795364970782,"sku":"ND-0763-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/hiAji7Dw3dh8MQdxVQI8E_021GdhzL.jpg?v=1787314317","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/ficus-elastica-robusta","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}