Can a Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) be put ouside next a front door?

Question

I just potted a Ficus Elastica and want it to go outside next to my front door, which is in the shade with an overhang. I live in Northern California (hot summers/cold winters). Is my plant going to be okay outside, or are they best as indoor plants? I also thought maybe I could bring it inside during the winter, but I know they are tempermental...thanks

Answer 1

They will not grow well in shade at all. They should be indoors near a bright window, but not in direct sunlight. I found out the hard way when I put sun-control film on my windows; my ficus plants had been doing beautifully (both ficus elastica and ficus benjamina), and after the film was put in place, they gradually lost most of their leaves before I realized what the problem was!

Answer 2

The colder temps might be a concern. Tropicals don't like temps below 54 or so. Hot temps they tolerate up to about 110, so you are fine there. Third thing is the difference in sunlight. We are lousy judges of light, a light meter would tell you if the interior and exterior light are comperable. Too much light and the leaves bleach, too little and they fall off. Finally consider wind. If your plant has not moved around much with indoor breezes (wink) then it may not have enough cellular structure to withstand wind.......plus they are top heavy in a pot instead of the ground. If all is OK, then it should make a fine front door plant.

Answer 3

Your challenge is to find an area large enough and hot enough to grow a 40 foot tree. Inside the house will never work. You can get a large plant that will fall over and break every 12 to 24 months. Better off trying a ferm or ivy for indoors. Now go drink a beer and relax.

Answer 4

I live in Nashville. The weather has been REALLY hot here. My ficus has grown about four feet this summer out on my back patio in full sunlight. I water it every day and it's gorgeous!