If you’re a fan of our other variegated Rubber plant Rob, then we bet you’ll like this variegated cultivar known as ‘Shivereana’, ‘Moonshine’ or to us at Patch, Riley. His attractive lime green variegation makes him a little more sensitive than his cousin. To keep him in top health, keep him warm and give him bright light (this helps him keep his colour) and once you’ve found the right spot for him, don’t move him around too much.
Water Riley only when the top two inches of soil are dry and make sure any excess water drains away. He’ll 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.
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 big as that indoors, thankfully. If, over time, he starts getting a bit too lofty for your liking, you can simply keep its size in check by pruning back some of its 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.
Did you know?
In parts of India, the rubber tree’s incredibly strong roots have been trained to form ‘living bridges’ over small rivers.
Bright light
