Ficus Elastica Tineke
Ficus elastica Tineke features waxy, smooth, ovate leaves with hues of olive and cream. With tree-like growth, this indoor plant typically starts as a compact tabletop plant and grows upwards, filling out into a grand floor plant. The rubber tree was utilized to make rubber products centuries ago. The plant produces a milky, latex substance which was the key ingredient of the rubber. This substance is excreted by the plant when a leaf or stem breaks and it is considered mildly toxic. Avoid getting it on your skin, in the eyes, or ingesting as it is an irritant.
Indoors, this plant will grow to heights of 5-6 feet, but outdoors, this plant can get enormous.
Basic Care
The Tineke prefers bright, indirect light, and will thrive and show the best colors under this condition. You’ll know if it’s getting too little light as new leaves will display faded colors and overall growth will subside. Keep in mind that too much sun is also not good— keep the Tineke away from harsh, direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves (especially the lighter cream parts of the leaf).
When it comes to watering, the Ficus Tineke is unique because it does enjoy a consistent schedule unlike other houseplants. Specifically, you’ll want to water this indoor plant once the top 1-2 inches of soil becomes dry to the touch. Depending on your home environment that could mean anywhere from once a week to once every two weeks. Once you figure out what makes your plant happy, stick to that same routine until the season drastically changes (the plant will require less water in winter and more in summer).
Tineke is a forgiving plant and will forgive you if you forget about it once in a while.
What You Get
You will receive one of the exact, healthy, rooted plants growing in a 6" nursery pot.
Difference between a Ficus Tineke & Ruby
The main difference between the Ficus Elastica Tineke and Ficus Elastica Ruby is the color of their leaves. The Tineke has variegated leaves in green and cream or pale yellow, and the leaves of the Ruby have a bright coral or pink color.
