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Rubber Plant “Mangrove”, or Ficus elastica Melany Petit Mangrove is an attractive large-leaved foliage plant with dark, glossy oval leaves that emerge from red leaf sheaths.
Latin name
Ficus elastica “Melany Petit Mangrove”
Pronunciation
(“FY-kus ell-ASS-tik-ah”)
Common name
Ficus elastica Melany Petit Mangrove
Origin
India and Malaysia
The variety “Petite Melany” has much smaller leaves and a more compact habit than other varieties of this species.
Ficus elastica is the original rubber plant. Elastica obviously means elastic, and refers to the sticky latex that exudes from the plant whenever its stems or leaves are damaged. This was used for the manufacture of soft rubber goods, such as elastic bands and erasers until the south American plant Hevea brasiliensis was introduced to south-east Asia in commercial plantations. Ficus elastica was first introduced to the UK as a decorative plant in 1815.
Toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Its milky latex sap can cause skin irritation and, when eaten, may lead to mouth irritation, drooling and stomach discomfort.
caring for your plant
Light
Can tolerate quite low light levels, so ideal for most rooms in the house.
Watering
Keep soil moist and do not dry out completely. As a rainforest plant, it will tolerate the occasional accidental overwatering.
Pruning
Small plants will rarely need pruning, but once they have grown to a more substantial size, branches can be cut back to a bud to encourage branching or to maintain an attractive shape.
Feeding
Add dilute fertilizer to the water every time you water the plant.
pest & diseases
Occasional mealybug, which can be controlled by keeping your plant clean.
Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.
According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.
Find out more about Ecoponic here.
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