Ficus elastica 'Tineke'

🌿 The Rubber Plant 'Tineke' (Ficus elastica 'Tineke') belongs to the Moraceae family and hails from the tropical rainforests of India and Southeast Asia. This cultivar stands out with its creamy variegation and pink-tinged stems, making it a step up from the standard green rubber plant. It's suited for intermediate growers who can manage its light and humidity preferences. Here's something neat: in its native habitat, this fig species can grow into a massive tree over 30 metres tall, though indoors it stays far more manageable.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This plant grows upright with a sturdy central stem that can branch if pruned. The large, oval leaves are thick and leathery, displaying a striking mix of dark green, cream, and pale green variegation. New leaves emerge with a pinkish-red sheath that eventually falls away. The glossy surface catches light beautifully, and the variegation means no two leaves look exactly the same.
FLOWER DETAILS
Indoor flowering is extremely rare and not the reason people grow this plant. In outdoor tropical settings, mature specimens may produce small, inconspicuous flowers followed by tiny fig fruits, but don't expect this indoors. The foliage is the main attraction, and keeping those leaves healthy and vibrant is where your focus should be.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Some morning sun is tolerated, but harsh afternoon rays can scorch the variegated leaves.
💧 Water: Let the top 5-7 cm of soil dry out between waterings. Water thoroughly until it drains, then empty the saucer. Reduce frequency in winter when growth slows.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-60% humidity but adapts to average home levels around 40%. Wipe leaves occasionally to remove dust.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining mix with perlite or orchid bark to prevent waterlogging. A standard potting mix amended with chunky materials works well.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, slightly snug rather than oversized. Repot every 2-3 years or when roots fill the pot.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate. Expect 15-30 cm of new growth per year under good conditions. Can reach 1.5-2 metres indoors over several years.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Toxic to cats and dogs. The sap contains latex which can cause irritation and digestive upset if ingested.
WHERE TO PUT IT
This plant does well in living rooms or bedrooms with large windows that provide bright, filtered light. A spot near an east or west-facing window works nicely. It can handle a corner if there's enough ambient light, but avoid dark hallways or rooms without natural light. Keep it away from heating vents and cold drafts, which can cause leaf drop.