Tineke Rubber Tree - Why You Need One + Plant Care

If you are a plant mom and are a big fan of indoor houseplants, then this plant may be just right for you. The Tineke Rubber Tree is also known for its other names, such as Rubber tree, Rubber plant, and Indian Rubber fig. 

The Tineke Rubber Tree belongs to the Moraceae family, a tropical flowering plant with over 1100 species. This plant can grow from 2ft up to 50ft tall, depending on how it is pruned. It can grow as a small ornamental tree or just a regular houseplant that can only be 2ft to 10ft tall. The leaves may reach up to 12in long and 5in wide. 

If you’re ever wondering why it is called the rubber tree plant, it is used to make solid rubber. They use the sap from the rubber tree to process into making commercial, industrial rubber. 

Why you should get one for your home

They do not require too much attention.

The Tineke Rubber Tree is relatively easy to care for. They are one of the low-maintenance plants that you do not need to keep an eye on every time. This Rubber tree lives off of not being watered every single day. They adapt to different light conditions and are not heavy feeders, so you do not need to give them many fertilizers. 

In fact, to prove how easy they are to take care of, here are some general must-know for our Tineke Rubber Tree parents. 

Lighting and Temperature

Generally they like bright indirect light. The best practice is to place it near a window to get sunlight but not right next to it. What this does is it will let the plant keep its variegation. Putting this plant under direct sunlight will cause new leaves to turn all green. Of course, this plant also needs humidity, it’s best to get a humidifier, but then, an average humidity room is fine. Rubber plants tend to bend toward the light, leaving you a slightly awkward-looking plant is fine, but if you want to even it out, you can rotate the plant to where the sun is. 

Soil and Watering

For the soil, the general-purpose potting mix is good. You can also add rocks or gravel at the bottom of the pot so you have adequate drainage. We need to ensure that there are some drainage holes. One of the most common problems is they get overwatered, and the root bulb at the top part of the soil will be drenched in water which will cause it to be deprived of oxygen. It is best to only water these plants when the soil is dry. Overwatering can be bad as it can lead to root rot and fungus gnats infestation. 

Does Not Trigger Pollen Allergy

Pollen Allergies? No problem! This plant is perfect for our fellow plant people who can only keep a few plants because they are allergic or someone in their house is. The Tineke Rubber Tree does not initiate allergic reactions because they do not produce pollen. Some indoor plants cause allergic reactions to their owners, which generally occur because of the sensitivity present in the bloom. Not to worry, since these plants don’t have it, it is okay to get them for our pollen allergic plant lovers. 

Aesthetic Indoors

The Tineke Rubber Tree is truly a beauty with its slippery and waxy nature; this makes it easier to be cleaned, giving them a shiny look like newly polished shoes. The variegation that it has makes them much more attractive and marvelous to look at inside the house—all the more to add to your plant babies.

Budget-Friendly

The Tineke Rubber Tree is really not that expensive because if we are going to take a closer look, once you have one Rubber Tree, they are very much easy to grow from cutting this. And by doing this, you will end up with multiple plants that you can give as a gift or simply keep and let them grow. 

Air Purifier

The Tineke Rubber Tree is considered one of the houseplants that best aid in clearing out air pollutants and other unwanted particles that eventually turn into dust particles. 

Is This Plant Pet Friendly?

Often, we might be wondering if the plants that we own are 100% safe, especially when we have little fur buddies around the house. Is the Rubber Plant safe for cats? Is the Rubber plant safe for dogs? These are just the top two questions that we always get. And to answer that, unfortunately, the Tineke Rubber Tree is not pet-friendly. The sap that the rubber tree excretes will make our fur buds uncomfortable that may cause problems. 

Has A Long Lifespan.

The Tineke Rubber tree is known to live for hundreds of years in the jungle, but when placed indoors, as long as the plant is getting a sufficient amount of sunlight and is being well cared for, this plant will be staying with you for a long time.