Ficus Decora
4.5 out of 5 (4 experiences)
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
About Ficus Decora
Ficus elastica, more commonly known as the rubber tree, has a white, milky latex that is a source of natural rubber. They’ve also been shown to have excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The aerial roots of the rubber tree have been used to create incredible living bridges in India. The bridges get stronger over time as the roots slowly fuse together, and some are over a hundred years old! 🌉
Taxonomy
Ficus elastica 'Decora'
Ficus
Moraceae
Rosales
Also known as
Indian Rubber Plant
How to care for Ficus Decora
Water
How often to water your Ficus Decora
every 9
Ficus Decora needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Jacksonville, Florida
45% Low
Growing Ficus Decora in Jacksonville right now
Plant growth potential is currently medium 👌
January 26th, 2023
Sunlight energy as measured by “net radiation” in Jacksonville is currently medium 👌.
The availability of high quality sunlight in your home impacts ability for plants to thrive and is key in dete…
Sunlight will increase by 20.6% ☀️
January 25th, 2023
Jacksonville is trending towards greater sunlight intensity!
The amount of sunlight in Jacksonville is expected to increase by 20.6% over the next 2 weeks to an average of 11.8 megajoules of energ…
Daylight will increase by 0.7 hours 📈
January 28th, 2023
This month, Jacksonville is getting an average of 7.8 hours of clear sky sunlight per day.
Hours of daylight will increase by 6.5% over the next two weeks. Your plants will get 10.8 total hours of…
Finding light for Ficus Decora in your home
a window
Ficus Decora love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive during this time of reduced sunlight intensity in Jacksonville, Florida ⛅.
Ficus Decora does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Ficus Decora
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Ficus Decora after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
Ficus Decora prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Ficus Decora requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Humidity
Ficus Decora doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Ficus Decora does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Ficus Decora should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Ficus Decora to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Ficus Decora is native to worldwide Tropics.
Propagation
Ficus Decora can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Care Summary for Ficus Decora
Ficus Decora
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 9 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on your location in Jacksonville, Florida, the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Large, lush leaves 3
Fast grower 2
Survivor 2
Easy to propagate 1
06/04/2021
Cute little vera gated plant. Looks awesome and takes very little care
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
Survivor
