This leafy ‘Ruby’ is even more of a gem than an actual ruby — certainly when it comes to your home and garden. Ficus elastica ‘Ruby’ is a variegated form of the beloved rubber tree, specifically Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’. The glossy ovate leaves flaunt a delicious rose-red tint as well as pink, really dark green, and cream. Precise coloring will vary, depending on light and care. And that's part of the fun! No two leaves will boast identical patterns. You will receive one Ficus elastica ‘Ruby’ fully rooted in a 6” pot. Find your ficus a nice spot bathed in bright but indirect light. This will help maintain the vibrant variegation. While the plant will do fine with less light, the visual party on the surface of the foliage will dim, so to speak. ‘Ruby’ prefers the soil to be consistently lightly moist and is very much not a fan of soggy feet. One clue that you could be overwatering is if leaves turn yellow and drop, particularly those that aren’t the oldest. Keeping your space in the 60-to-80-degree range will please ‘Ruby’, as will humidity elevated a bit above average levels. A humidifier, grouping plants, and a pebble tray are some of the ways, in combination or solo, to make ‘Ruby’ feel as if it’s residing in a tropical forest. Like virtually any rubber plant, this variegated ficus carries with it some serious growth potential, possibly reaching ceiling level in time. You can control this trajectory with a conservative repotting schedule or pruning.
The 'Ruby' rubber tree (Ficus elastica) is a popular houseplant with glossy, luxurious leaves
Your lush live houseplant will arrive in a 6" nursery pot
This live indoor plant grows best in medium to bright, indirect light
Tolerant of and adapts to lower light conditions
A low-maintenance houseplant and beloved by beginning plant parents and houseplant aficionados alike
Water this easy plant every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry between waterings or watering when the top of the soil is dry
Research shows that beautiful plants like this are air-purifiers that can reduce stress, promote creativity and boost productivity