If you’re a fan of our variegated Rubber plant Rob, then you’ll love Reuben, his colourful cousin. This limited-edition plant is equally small and easy to look after, but packs a punch with its vibrant leaves, which will add a pop of colour to your houseplant collection. Blending cream and green with hues of pink and reddish hints, Ficus elastica ‘Belize’ has been bred as a celebration of the hardiness of these plants, but also to show off their patterned leaves.
In its native habitat Ficus elastica grows in southern parts of Asia. As a tree in the wild it can grow as tall as 60 metres, with its trunk getting as thick as two metres in diameter. Your little Reuben won’t get anywhere near as lofty as that indoors, thankfully. If, over time, he starts getting a bit too tall for your liking, you can simply keep his size in check by pruning back some of his branches to just above a node (where the leaves grow from). Do this in late winter or early spring so that you limit the amount of messy sap that will ooze from the cuts. And please wear gloves to protect your skin. Pruning your fig tree will encourage the growth of more side shoots and a fuller overall shape.
To care for Reuben, give him plenty of bright filtered light and water him only when the top two inches of soil are dry. He’ll also appreciate a feed with liquid fertiliser once a month throughout spring and summer and a top up or repot with houseplant compost every two-to-three years. Top tip: if you increase his pot size, he’ll grow bigger.
For more care advice about Reuben, check out our complete guide to rubber plant care.
Did you know?
In parts of India, the rubber tree’s incredibly strong roots have been trained to form ‘living bridges’ over small rivers.
Easy care
