Hey you... have you met the Ficus elastic Burgundy? It's an evergreen perennial that can add some serious style to any room with its stunning dark green leaves and deep reddish variegation. Yep, she will definitely up your houseplant aesthetic game. But enough small talk, let's get to the nitty-gritty of caring for your Ficus Burgundy.
Don't worry; it's not rocket science. This plant thrives in warm and high-humidity conditions, well-draining moist soil, and bright indirect light. But, unlike her relative, the Ficus lyrata (fiddle-leaf fig tree), she's a bit more easy going.
Ficus Elastica Burgundy: A Guide to Glory
If you're a first-time plant parent, don't stress. We've got a complete care guide for you to follow, and we even compiled our years of experience into an expert book to share with fellow plant lovers.
Now, let's talk about the important details. The Ficus Burgundy is a fast-growing tropical plant that can reach up to 10 feet indoors with proper care (and up to 40 ft in native soil!). Its beautiful oval-shaped glossy leaves can grow up to 4 inches in width. Wowza.
Watering
Watering your Ficus Burgundy is essential. The plant requires ample watering during the growing season, but the soil should dry out partially between watering cycles. This is usually around every 10-14 days, but it all depends on your growing medium. A basic watering routine will naturally develop within a month or two after your relationship with her develops. Remember, overwatering, or potting her in a pot without drainage will cause root rot or root damage, so don't overdo it. If you see some brown spots developing, it's time to increase watering frequency. Give her a good drink with a dash of ficus plant food each time you water—you'll know she's had enough to drink when the water flows out of the pot.
Light
So, our little reddish rubber tree is pretty chill and doesn't need to be coddled like her high-maintenance cousin, the fiddle-leaf fig tree. Medium light is the sweet spot for her to thrive indoors, and don't go overboard with direct sunlight. If you want to get fancy, fluorescent lights work like a charm, but just be careful not to go overboard and cause leaf scorch. And if you're slacking in the lighting department, don't be surprised if she gets a little purple hue. But hey, who doesn't love a gal who can handle a little low-light situation? She's definitely a low maintenance kind of girl, and we're all about it.
Ideal Environment for Ficus elastica burgundy
Your Ficus Burgundy is a tropical plant that loves high humidity and temperatures between 65°F and 80°F, with a relative humidity of 60% to 80%. If the humidity level drops, your plant's leaves may wilt and droop, a humidifier or periodic misting is a great idea (use distilled water). Keep her in a chunky soil mix, or a soilless medium with plenty of aeration.
Keeping Her Happy
The Ficus Burgundy is an awesome houseplant to have because it's both stunning and easier to keep happy than her cousin, the Ficus lyrata (aka Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree). But, here's a few tips for helping her stay in love with you:
Pruning
Maintenance is key to keeping your Ficus Burgundy happy and healthy. Cleaning and pruning every two months with clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors will help it grow faster and healthier. The soil mix should be slightly acidic with good drainage, and a slightly moist but not soggy soil. This species may do well in LECA and soilless setups as well.
Cleaning and Grooming
These leaves have a beautiful dark, waxy appearance which means they'll show water spots and dust more than a variagated plant. If you want this Ficus to have some serious Big Leaf Energy® then give her a spray down with this magical potion on the regular. Not only will it keep her leaves shiny and fabulous, but it'll also keep those pesky pests at bay. Talk about a double whammy!
Start by giving the bottle a good shake, then spray her from top to bottom, making sure to hit the undersides of leaves and the joints where sneaky spider mites and thrips like to hang out. While you wait a few minutes for the magic to happen (maybe enjoy a sip of tea), think of how happy your plant will be. Finally, give her a gentle wipe down with soft microfiber gloves or a towel to remove any excess solution. Easy as pie!
These trees need food.
You know the Ficus family loves to eat and they deplete their soil within a matter of months, so make sure to give her a constant supply of nutrients. Luckily, we have just the thing to make fertilizing a breeze. Fiddle Leaf Treats™ is our go-to Ficus fertilizer that's gentle enough to use year-round, but especially important in the spring and summer when her soil microbiome is really rocking.
And don't forget, it's not just about food - your plant needs space too. Keep an eye out for signs that she's outgrowing her pot, like roots peeking out, and give her a new home every two years in spring or summer. (Who likes moving in the winter anyway?)
So, are you ready to add a Ficus Burgundy to your leafy family? We hope so!