{"product_id":"sophie-rubber-plant-ficus-elastica-sophie","title":"Sophie Rubber Plant - Ficus elastica 'Sophie'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSophie Rubber Plant (\u003cem\u003eFicus elastica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sophie') is an easycare houseplant with large, thick, pointed oval leaves that are shiny olive green on top and bronze green underneath, and lime when new. It is also sold as Sophia or Sofia. Indoors it is a compact plant, listed at about 30cm high and 35cm wide when young, and in a frost-free tropical garden it grows into a large branching tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlossy leaves that change colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e New leaves open lime, then ripen to olive green above with bronze green beneath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy for beginners.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is hardy and low maintenance, a good choice for new plant owners or busy people.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors, in a pot or in the garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow it as a houseplant, in a container or in a tropical garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoom to grow.\u003c\/strong\u003e A young, compact plant today, and in the right garden it develops into a large branching tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiving rooms, offices and hallways.\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose a bright spot out of harsh direct sun, with a pot large enough for yearly repotting into fresh soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers on a sheltered veranda.\u003c\/strong\u003e It needs a sheltered, frost-free spot, so a patio pot in a warm climate works well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a frost-free tropical garden it can grow into a large branching tree, so allow it plenty of space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Sophie Rubber Plant in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright, indirect light indoors, and a sheltered, frost-free position if grown outside. Outdoors it suits tropical and warm subtropical gardens only, so in cooler regions keep it as a houseplant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e A good quality potting mix suits containers. Repot container plants into fresh soil once a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water in with a seaweed-based fertiliser on planting to reduce transplant shock, then water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. Apply a slow release fertiliser twice a year. Container plants may need extra feed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e No pruning is needed. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth from time to time to keep them clean and healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Sophie Rubber Plant as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It also comes in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 300mm pots, sold singly. The tube is the smallest way to start, the packs suit a group of plants, and the 300mm pot is the most developed plant. Pot on or plant out promptly and keep it out of cold draughts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sophie Rubber Plant tube is grown for us by our grower, and availability comes and goes. If it shows as sold out, press the notify button on the page and we will email you the day it is available again. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rubber-plants\"\u003eRubber plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ficus\"\u003eFicus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-plants\"\u003eIndoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/fig-ficus-care-guide\"\u003eFig and ficus care guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big will Sophie get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is listed at about 30cm high and 35cm wide as a young plant. Indoors it stays a manageable houseplant, and in a frost-free tropical garden it grows into a large branching tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between Sophie, Sophia and Sofia?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNothing. It is the same plant sold under three spellings, so search any of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The milky sap of rubber plants is an irritant and is harmful to cats and dogs if chewed, so keep it out of reach.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790324695359,"sku":"FIC-ELA-SOPHIE-tube","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67790324760895,"sku":"FIC-ELA-SOPHIE-140MM-P10","price":238.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":67790324793663,"sku":"FIC-ELA-SOPHIE-300MM","price":95.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/sophie-rubber-plant-ficus-elastica-sophie.jpg?v=1792206315","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/sophie-rubber-plant-ficus-elastica-sophie","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}