Ficus Tineke vs. Ruby are incredible rubber plants every homeowner wants to own. Their huge, beautifully variegated foliage will wow visitors, whether you place the plants at the entrance or in an empty corner.
And if you aren’t sure which one to choose, the good news is that they are different. Here is how to differentiate the Tineke from Ficus Ruby, so continue reading this article to know all about these trees.
| Features | Ficus Tineke | Ficus Ruby |
| Leaf color | Green and cream or yellow variegation with a pink tint | Variegation of green, cream, and very vibrant pink or red color |
| Leaf shape | Large and oval | Oblong to oval |
| Flowers | Small green insignificant flowers | Small green insignificant blooms |
| Growth habit | Fast growth rate | Fast growing |
Contents
What Are the Differences Between Ficus Tineke and Ruby Plants?
The main difference between Ficus Tineke and Ruby is in the foliage color and shape. The Fiscue elastica Tineke has big leaves variegated with green, cream, or yellow hues and pink veins. Whereas, the Ruby plant leaves have a variegation of green, cream, and vibrant pink or red color.
Exploring The Features, And Uses of The Ficus Tineke Plant
The Ficus elastica Tineke is a gem of tropical house plants; the beauty of it is that it has large and oval leaves with splashes of pink hues that often bloom up little green flowers. It is popular due to its fast-growing rate, which is normally 24 inches annually.
This type of plant belongs to the Moroceae family and is native to the Himalayas, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java. This broadleaf evergreen shrub is fast-growing when provided with the proper growth conditions, and although it is not invasive, its roots spread fast.
The big, beautifully variegated green, cream leaves with pink veins steal the show for this house plant. You can place the plant anywhere in a room, and it will add a pop of color. But, sometimes, these variegation of the plant would differ depending on how much light your plant gets. You should also provide the other optimal growing conditions and plant care for it to thrive.
– Leaf Size and Color
Gardeners and homeowners choose the variegated rubber tree over other plants because of the beautiful leaf size and color. The foliage can grow as long as 12 inches with a five-inch width, leaving it with a shrub-like structure, and the big leaves are what add a tropical ambiance to where they may be placed in the location that they are set.
The beauty of the foliage is in its variegation. This plant gives you a mixture of green, cream, and pink colored foliage so that you won’t lack a thing or two in the house to match it. However, light is critical to maintaining these diversifications; on the other hand, too much or too little will affect them.
Since the leaves are broad, they are likely to collect dust fast. While most homeowners rarely wipe the foliage, the dust blocks leaf pores affecting transpiration and respiration. You can wipe them with a wet cloth to remove the dust and unleash their glossy look.
– Flowers
If you desire a bloom-filled house or garden, you might be disappointed in the Ficus Tineke plant because they don’t produce flowers indoors. However, they bloom when planted outdoors and provided with the right growing conditions, as these flowers would bloom in their little buds and add a touch of rare beauty.
Most gardeners confuse the pink sheaths for blooms and are disappointed when they don’t unfold to become flowers but new leaves. Elastica Tineke grows a greening sheath with a light pink flush.
In addition to this, when the plants reach maturity and bloom, they produce small, insignificant green flowers. However, the leaf’s beautiful colors and size can compensate for the blossoms, as they would start to spring up these blooms after they have properly matured.
– Light Requirements
An indirect bright light that mimics tropical forests is one of the most important things to have on your Ficus elastica Tineke care list. Lighting conditions of the Tineke plant habitat determine how the leaves look, and the last thing you want to do is tamper with the unique variegation.
Always keep the plant in a well-lit corner, near a window, to expose it to sunlight. You can cover the window with sheers to filter the intensity of the light hitting the plant. In fact, it is safer to expose the rubber plant to the morning sun because it is less intense.
On the other hand when the plant receives too much sunlight will scorch the leaves and change their color. Poorly lit rooms like bathrooms will cause the pink hues to fade, slow its growth, and result in an unattractive leggy plant. You can rotate the plant in different corners to get enough light if you have a poorly lit house.
– Temperature And Humidity
Another plant care tip for the Ficus elastica Tineke plant is ensuring it grows in the right temperature and humidity. Remember that you are mimicking the tropical forest’s environment for this plant’s growth, so warm temperatures and moderate humidity are ideal.
No matter where you are growing it you must make sure that you maintain the right environment so that it will keep on growing without any stress
Ensure the temperature always range between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain the plant’s growth. Your Ficus Tineke won’t appreciate temperature fluctuations outside this range, so you must set your thermostat right.
Also, if your home is extra cold, you might fail in keeping the Tineke elastica plant alive. You will be on the verge of killing it if your temperatures are lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, keep your planter away from drafts, draughts, and AC units.
The ideal humidity level to grow the Tineke rubber plant is 50 to 70 percent. Lower humidity than 40 percent will grow an unhappy variation of the plant will be obvious as they would have crispy edges on the leaves. You can increase the humidity levels by using a humidifier, misting the plant, or growing above a pebble tray with water and this way the atmosphere will be preferable by the plant.
– Water Requirements
Water is an essential requirement for Ficus Tineke’s growth. However, it doesn’t require constant watering, making it an easy-to-care-for plant. Always keep the soil moist and not soggy. Therefore, you can wait until the top soil dries up to a few inches before the next irrigation.
The fastest way to kill your rubber tree is by letting it sit in water. Too much moisture suffocates the roots, causing root rot. But also, don’t neglect the plant too much because excessive dryness is a problem. To avoid overwatering, ensure your planter has drainage holes to remove the excess water and avoid watering it too frequently.
– Uses
Besides its beautiful foliage, the Ficus Tineke can remove toxins, bacteria, and mold from indoor air as it would absorb them and release oxygen instead. Most homeowners grow them for air purification. It also belongs to a horticultural therapy branch, making it a perfect plant for emotional and mental relief, as it adds significance and beauty
Exploring The Features, And Uses of The Ruby Plant
The ruby plant is a beautiful plant that can change from the different foliage, as it has a variation of red to pink leaves that are also splashed with green and white hues. Moreover, this is a plant that has oblong to oval leaves; it also has a fast-growth rate.
If you want a big and bold stunning plant, it is time to give the Ficus elastica Ruby a chance. The tri-colored Ruby grows in the tropical regions of Malaysia and India and resembles the Ficus elastica burgundy.
Many homeowners prefer this beautiful plant because of its low maintenance and few growth requirements as it will be growing at ease showing its vibrancy. The giant leaves with beautiful green and pink hues also add aesthetics to the home, and it has various benefits.
– Leaf Size and Color
The elastica Ruby plant has enormous leaves with variegation of green, cream, and vibrant pink or red hues. The leaf colors are different depending on the lighting and other factors. For example, some have a dark green that almost looks black, and others have a well-defined green hue, especially in the location where you are going to be growing it.
In addition to this matter, you must remember how the pink hues that the plant has would vary from a pink-tinted cream to a glowing coral pink. The new leaves have a pinky-orange shade, which fades as they age. Mature leaves are oblong to oval and measure eight to 12 inches long.
The leaves attract dirt and dust due to their size, affecting photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration. You can wipe them with a damp cloth to maintain their natural look and keep the processes going and it will remain vibrant.
– Flowers
If you are looking for beautiful blooms in the Ruby rubber plant, you should look elsewhere because the indoor-grown ones don’t flower. However, the beautiful foliage can compensate for that.
In general, you must consider how these plants require optimal growing conditions to mature and flower. Therefore, the outdoor grown ones could get to that stage. However, before you get excited to see the blooms, you might prefer the plant without them. The flowers are green, tiny, and almost invisible, so they don’t make much difference, and they would bloom at their own growing pace.
– Light Requirements
One of the most essential Ficus elastica Ruby care tips to always remember is providing the correct lighting. Light is critical because it maintains consistency in the variegation and can cause fading in the leaves.
However, Ficus elastica Ruby light requirements are achievable even when grown indoors. Always keep it in filtered, indirect sunlight. On the other hand, you can expose it to the early direct morning sun because it is less intense.
In such a matter, you must avoid direct sunlight, at all costs, during the day because it scorches the leaves. Little light will also keep your Ruby plant unhappy, and you’ll notice fading of some leaves but remember that you cannot reverse this burn, if the plant gets to be exposed to it.
– Water Requirements
Ruby rubber plants are easy to care for because they don’t demand daily watering. In fact, the plant does well in moist to dry soil, and weekly watering is enough, thanks to its thick leaves that store water. This is a matter that is considered an advantage for those that grow the plant at home, because it isn’t a plant that requires too much care.
Overwatering is an enemy in the Ruby plant because it causes root rot. This results in yellowing and falling leaves and eventually death. Always check the soil’s moisture level before irrigating and reducing the watering frequency in winter.
– Temperature And Humidity
The Ruby plant grows in tropical forests and needs warm temperatures and a humid environment. Always maintain a temperature range of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Low temperatures can kill the plant, but you can protect your outdoor grown ones in winter by bringing them into the house. Also, ensure you keep your Ruby away from drafts and AC vents.
When the humidity range is between 40 and 60 percent, this will create a perfect growth environment for your Ruby plant. Low humidity causes the leaves to turn brown, but you can rescue them by getting a humidifier or placing the plant on a pebble tray with water. Alternatively, buy a humidifier to increase moisture levels, or grow many plants together.
– Uses
The elastica Ruby tree is an evergreen, low-maintenance plant with many ornamental benefits. Many homeowners prefer it because it purifies the air by absorbing toxins, boosts productivity, and improves memory.
Conclusion
Although the Ficus Tineke and elastica Ruby plants look similar, there are some notable differences, as seen in this review. Both plants have pinkish leaves, but the pink in Ficus elastica Ruby is more pronounced than in the Tineke variety. However, you might not tell the difference in leaf colors with new leaf growth in both plants.
You could be confused when choosing between the two plants, but your choice will depend on the color preference of the leaves. Besides that, these plants’ light conditions, temperature, and humidity requirements are similar and have the same benefits.
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