Ficus elastica Abidjan - Rubber tree
The Green East

Ficus elastica Abidjan - Rubber tree

£18.00
/
Tax included.

The Ficus elastica 'Abidjan', we often call this the Rubber Plant, but the 'Abidjan' is a particularly moody and magnificent cultivar. While the standard variety is quite green, this one has those stunning, deep burgundy—almost black—leaves with a striking red rib down the centre. It’s a real statement piece if you’re looking to add a bit of drama to a corner of your lounge.

Origin

  • Heritage: The broader Ficus elastica family is native to the tropical regions of Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Malaysia.

  • The Cultivar: The 'Abidjan' variety is a specific cultivated strain, named after the city in Ivory Coast, though its genetic roots remain firmly in the Asian tropics.

Care Guide

  • Light: It’s a sun-lover but doesn’t want to be scorched. Bright, indirect light is best. A spot near an east or west-facing window is spot on. If it’s too dark, those lovely moody colours will fade to a dull green.

  • Watering: Don't let it sit in a puddle—they hate "wet feet." Wait until the top two inches of soil have dried out before giving it a proper drink. In winter, you can cut back significantly.

  • Humidity: Being a tropical soul, it appreciates a bit of a misting now and then, especially when the central heating is blasting.

  • Feeding: Give it a balanced liquid fertiliser once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). No need to feed it in the winter when it’s having a nap.

  • Maintenance: The broad leaves are absolute dust-magnets. Every couple of weeks, give them a gentle wipe with a damp cloth; it keeps the plant breathing and looking its glossy best.

Toxicity & Safety

  • Sap: Like all Rubber Plants, the 'Abidjan' contains a milky white latex sap. This can be a skin irritant, so I’d recommend wearing gloves if you’re pruning it.

  • Pets & Children: It is toxic if ingested. It can cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting in cats and dogs, so it's best kept on a sturdy plant stand out of reach of curious nibblers.

It’s a sturdy grower and very rewarding once it settles in

Sold without decorative pot, colour and size may vary slightly.

Local plant delivery or collection available in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland.