Ficus elastica
Light: Bright indirect light or filtered outdoor shade. Protect from intense Phoenix afternoon sun; acclimate gradually to gentle morning sun.
Water: Water thoroughly when the top 2–3 inches of potting mix feel dry, then drain completely. Check outdoor containers frequently during summer heat; reduce watering in winter.
Soil: Well-drained, aerated potting mix amended with perlite and fine pine bark. Use containers with drainage holes; avoid dense soil and standing water.
Mature size: Typically 6–10 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide indoors; potentially larger in protected containers. Trees in frost-free tropical landscapes can exceed 50 feet.
Bloom: Rarely flowers indoors or in containers; mature trees in tropical climates produce tiny flowers hidden inside fig-like structures.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; cold, drought, or abrupt environmental changes can cause leaf drop.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast in warm conditions with adequate light; slower indoors or during winter.