4" Ficus ‘Ruby’

$14.99

Pickup available at Canopy HQ

Usually ready in 1 hour

About this plant

Ficus elastica 'Ruby' is a rubber plant with pink and cream variegation. New leaves often open with strong pink, and the margins tend to stay pink as the leaf hardens. That lasting pink edge is how many growers separate it from Tineke, where pink flush on new growth usually fades toward cream and green.

People buy Ruby for that pink margin color that holds as leaves mature. Compared with other variegated rubber trees, the pink stays more visible instead of washing out to cream and green.

Expect upright, steady growth once it settles. Ficus often drops leaves after a move, a light change, or drafts. That relocation drop is normal. Pick a bright spot and leave it there. Moving it again to "fix" yellow drop usually makes it worse. Give it a couple of weeks before you decide something else is wrong.

Bright indirect light keeps the pink vivid. Gentle morning sun can deepen it. Dim corners push greener new growth, and harsh afternoon sun can scorch the thinner pink and cream areas. Let the soil dry almost completely between waterings. Wet feet cause more trouble than a short dry spell. Wipe dust off the leaves so light reaches the variegation, and skip hard fertilizing while it is still shedding from a move. [REVIEW NEEDED: Confirm Ruby vs Tineke margin color holds consistently across stock lines.]

Care

Light

Bright indirect light keeps growth steady and the pink variegation vivid. Some gentle morning sun deepens the pink further. Harsh afternoon sun can scorch thinner variegated portions. Low light causes new leaves to trend greener with less pink.

Water

Let the soil dry almost completely between waterings, then water thoroughly and empty the saucer. Rubber trees are prone to root and stem issues in soil that stays wet, so when in doubt, wait an extra day or two.

Humidity

Average home humidity is enough. This is not a humidity-dependent plant the way a fern or Alocasia is.

Soil

Use a well-draining mix with added perlite or bark. Avoid dense, water-retentive soil. That is the most common root cause of stem softening and leaf drop people sometimes blame on light or location alone. Always choose a pot with a drainage hole.

Feeding

Feed monthly during spring and summer with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer. Reduce to none or every couple of months in fall and winter. Skip feeding while the plant is still shedding from a move or shipping.

Common problems

  • A few dropped lower leaves shortly after a move, repot, or seasonal light change is normal Ficus behavior and usually resolves once the plant settles. Resist the urge to water more in response.
  • Persistent, widespread leaf drop combined with soft stems points to overwatering or cold drafts, not simple relocation stress.
  • Keep it away from cold windows, exterior doors, and heating or air conditioning vents, all of which can trigger leaf loss for this genus.
  • Greener new leaves with less pink usually mean the spot is too dim.

Shipping and acclimation

Ficus 'Ruby' is more sensitive to shipping than many foliage plants. It is common to see a leaf or two yellow and drop within the first couple of weeks after arrival purely from transit and environment change. Unbox promptly, choose its permanent spot right away rather than moving it around, and avoid watering again until the soil has dried. Give it a few weeks of stability before judging how it is doing.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Frequently asked questions

Why is my Ficus Ruby dropping leaves after I brought it home?

Some leaf drop after a move, including shipping, is normal Ficus behavior and usually stops once the plant settles into a stable spot. Avoid moving it again or overwatering in response during this adjustment period.

How is Ficus Ruby different from Ficus Tineke?

Both are pink-variegated rubber trees, but Ruby tends to hold its pink leaf margins more consistently as leaves mature. Tineke's pink new growth often fades toward cream and green over time.

Does Ficus Ruby need direct sun?

No, but some gentle morning sun helps intensify the pink variegation. Harsh afternoon sun can scorch the more delicate pink and cream leaf sections.

Is it toxic to pets?

Yes. Ficus species contain a milky latex sap that can irritate skin and cause GI upset if ingested, so keep it away from pets that chew on plants.