The rubber tree is very popular with us as a houseplant. Here you will learn everything important about the care, pruning, and propagation of the rubber tree. Many have the tree with the impressively large leaves in their room or office, but there is certainly much worth knowing that you may not yet know about the rubber tree (Ficus elastica). For example, did you know that the ficus is actually a member of the fig family and that its sap can actually be used to make rubber for gum? We have compiled more interesting and interesting facts about the popular rubber tree for you here. You will learn everything about the origin, different varieties, purchase, location, care, and typical disease patterns on the rubber tree.<\/p>\n
Like the Edible Figs (Ficus carica), the rubber tree belongs to the genus Ficus, i.e. to the fig family, and thus to the mulberry family (Moraceae). It is classified in the group of banyan figs, to which also belongs the poplar fig (banyan tree), which is significant in Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha Gautama experienced “enlightenment” while sitting under a poplar fig and thus became a Buddha.<\/p>\n
Another name is the Indian rubber tree. Both names already indicate the use of the sap of the plant, because it contains rubber, from which rubber can be made. However, this is a rather time-consuming undertaking: It takes a full seven years before rubber can be harvested for the first time after planting. Under ideal conditions, the rubber tree can live up to 100 years, during which time rubber can be extracted from it up to 30 times. However, today the rubber tree is hardly used for rubber production. Mainly only the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) comes into question for this.<\/p>\n
In our country, the tree has much more of an aesthetic function and is used as an ornamental plant. While the rubber tree was so popular in the 1980s that it was felt that everyone had it in their homes, the hype surrounding the tropical tree quickly died down afterward and it disappeared from rooms and offices once again. Today, however, the rubber tree is experiencing a revival and is once again making its way into our homes. The main reasons for its popularity are obvious: the rubber tree is beautiful to look at, robust, and easy to care for. Also, it has been proven that the tree can filter formaldehyde from the air and thus contribute to higher air quality in the room.<\/p>\n