Cream margins
Pale zones create a clean frame around several shades of green.
Ficus 'Tineke' 12cm
Normal price
€8,50
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’
It handles routine and loves the light ☀️
- Moraceae
- Green–cream foliage
- Pink new growth
- Compact upright form
- Bright indirect light
Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’ combines broad glossy leaves with cream margins, green centres and pink tones that show most strongly in new growth.
Its upright compact line and the species' steady behaviour make it practical for a bright room, without implying tolerance of darkness or standing water.
What makes it distinctive
Crisp cream margins, juvenile pink pigment and substantial gloss give ‘Tineke’ a classic yet contemporary balance.
Pink in new growth
Anthocyanin pigment is often strongest in tender growth and softens as the leaf matures.
Substantial central axis
Leaves are arranged successively around an upright stem, adding colour without a large lateral spread.
Why you will love it: it delivers crisp cream-green variegation with the reliable upright character of a rubber fig.
In your space Placement & plant pairings Where it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
Give it a slim hoop or discreet trellis near a bright window and guide new stems loosely without tight ties. Natural wood, terracotta and dark ceramic emphasise its epiphytic character.
Plants that set it off
Pair it with clean vertical lines and lower foliage so the crown keeps the main architectural role.
- Dracaena marginata — fine linear leaves that offset the Ficus's substantial surface.
- Monstera deliciosa — fenestrated architectural foliage for a tropical composition with different geometry.
- Philodendron hederaceum — low trailing movement that softens the upright silhouette.
Care at a glance
Light
Abundant bright indirect light. Gentle morning sun only after gradual acclimation.
Water
Water when the top 3–5 cm dries, avoiding both permanent saturation and prolonged complete dryness.
Atmosphere
Keep at 18–27°C in a stable position with moderate humidity, away from cold draughts and radiators.
Pets
Not pet-safe. Ficus latex can irritate skin and mouth, while ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Selected for this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, watering, humidity, substrate and nutrition in detail
A stable bright position
Provide abundant indirect light and turn the pot slightly each week. Abrupt moves from shade into strong sun cause stress and possible leaf drop.
Water at depth
Water once the top 3–5 cm dries, continuing until excess escapes through the holes. Empty the outer pot and wait for the upper layer to dry again.
Humidity and cleaning
Stable moderate humidity is enough. Wipe broad leaves with a soft damp cloth so they photosynthesise efficiently and pests are noticed early.
Temperature and change
Keep at 18–27°C away from cold draughts. Ficus responds to abrupt changes in position, light or watering, so alter only one factor at a time.
Substrate and pruning
Use a structurally stable, airy mix in a pot with drainage. Prune during active growth with a clean tool and gloves because the white latex is irritating.
Nutrition and repotting
Osmocote Exact Mini is a controlled-release feed designed for small pots. Apply it strictly at the label rate and do not combine it with frequent liquid feeding. If a new substrate is already enriched, wait until its initial nutrition has been used.
Botanical identityOrigin & taxonomic identityThe species, origin and cultivated selection
Accepted taxonomic identity
Ficus elastica is an accepted species in the Moraceae. ‘Tineke’ is a cultivated variegated selection maintained vegetatively, not a separate wild taxon.
Native range and growth habit
Ficus elastica is native from Nepal to western Yunnan and western Malesia, where it grows as a large tree of wet tropical forests.
The trade name identifies a stable clone
‘Tineke’ does not occur as a variegated wild population; it is cultivated clonally to retain its characteristic pattern. Detailed verifiable breeder history does not widely accompany the long-standing trade name.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific details nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who likes to look beyond the surface
White sap comes from laticifers
A network of specialised secretory cells carries latex through the tissues. This defence is also why pruning calls for gloves.
A fig is an enclosed inflorescence
A syconium is a hollow structure bearing many tiny flowers on its inner surface, not a simple fruit in the usual sense.
Each new leaf opens from a stipule
A protective stipule surrounds the tender new leaf and leaves a characteristic scar around the stem when it falls.
Variegation reduces photosynthetic area
Cream and pink tissues contain less functional chlorophyll than green areas. Variegated selections therefore need abundant indirect light but scorch more readily in harsh sun.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about behaviour, common signs and correct care for this plant.
01 Why do cream areas brown first?
They contain less chlorophyll and are more sensitive to hot sun, dryness and salts. Stabilise light, watering and restrained feeding before raising humidity.
02 When exactly should I water?
Check the top 3–5 cm and the pot's weight. Water when the upper layer is dry but the root ball is not bone dry, then drain fully.
03 Why is a new leaf not opening?
A dry root ball, cold draught or abrupt humidity drop can delay unfurling. Do not pull the leaf from its stipule; correct conditions steadily.
04 Why did leaves drop after a move?
A change in light, temperature or airflow can trigger temporary leaf drop. Stabilise the new position, avoid further changes and check the mix before watering.
05 Can I prune the growing tip?
Yes, during active growth to control height and encourage branching. Use a clean tool, wear gloves and wipe the milky sap carefully.
06 Is it safe around pets and young children?
Not for chewing or ingestion. The white latex can irritate skin, eyes and mouth, while swallowed material may cause drooling or gastrointestinal signs. Keep it out of reach and wear gloves when pruning.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.