Black Knight (Triple planted) - Ficus elastica - 10L / 25cm / Large
$95.003x Large Black Knight Ficus elastica in a 10L nursery pot.
Ficus elastica 'Black Knight' is a striking rubber plant cultivar known for its dramatic, nearly black foliage and bold architectural form. Its thick, leathery leaves are a deep, inky green—often appearing almost black in low light—with contrasting red-tinged new growth that adds a flash of colour before maturing. More intense in tone than ‘Robusta’ or ‘Burgundy’, 'Black Knight' makes a powerful statement in modern interiors, especially when paired with pale walls or light-toned pots.
Native to Southeast Asia, Ficus elastica is naturally hardy and low maintenance, with 'Black Knight' offering the same resilience in a darker, moodier package. It can grow to 1.5–2 metres indoors and takes pruning well to control height or shape.
Toxic if ingested. Irritating sap.
Comprehensive Care Instructions for Ficus elastica 'Black Knight'
Lighting Requirements
Indoors: Bright, indirect light is ideal to maintain leaf colour and vigour. Tolerates medium light, but very low light may dull the black tones. Avoid harsh direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
Outdoors (in warm zones): Best in part shade or dappled light. Avoid frost or strong wind exposure.
Watering Regimen
During the Growing Season (Spring to Early Autumn):
Water when the top 3–5cm of soil is dry. Use a pot with drainage and avoid water pooling in the saucer.
Cooler Months:
Water less frequently, allowing the soil to dry more deeply between waterings.
Temperature & Humidity
Performs best between 16°C–28°C. Protect from temperatures below 10°C and avoid sudden cold drafts.
Tolerates average household humidity but appreciates occasional misting, especially in dry indoor air.
Fertilizing
Feed every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced, diluted liquid fertiliser. Hold off feeding in winter unless actively growing.
Pruning & Maintenance
Prune to control height or encourage branching. Use clean shears and avoid sap contact with skin.
Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to enhance shine and remove dust.
Repotting
Repot every 2–3 years or when rootbound. Use a free-draining mix and step up one pot size at a time for best results.
Pests & Troubleshooting
Monitor for scale, spider mites or mealybugs. Leaf drop may occur with overwatering, low light or sudden environmental changes—allow time to adjust.
Blackening or soft patches on leaves can indicate cold stress or excess moisture at the roots.
Important Note: Bold Colour, Easy Nature
Ficus elastica 'Black Knight' offers a dramatic foliage option without high fuss. Its glossy black leaves and easy-going nature make it perfect for adding depth and contrast to any plant collection or styled interior.
Plant Size Guide
The plant in the photos is an example and an approximate guide only however we try to show an average sized example. Sizes, flowering state and colours change throughout the seasons and variation will occur. In summer & autumn, plants are often larger or the same size as than the example picture but around winter and spring, they can be a little smaller but still at a size similar to the example. We aim to update the pictures to reflect significant differences.
Plant Heights - because the plant's foliage must fit inside our Plant Cartons, the actual height of a plant's central trunk (meristem) will be shorter than the box it fits in.
Small Plants - 14cm wide nursery pot - 1 Litre volume - Plants fit in a 50cm tall box.
Medium Plants - 17cm wide pots either 2L hanging pot or 2.5L nursery pot - Plants fit in a 75cm tall box.
Large Plants - 25cm wide pot, 10L volume. Plants fit in a 100cm tall box.
XL Plants - Plants over 100cm tall in pot sizes specified, 25cm/10L or greater and are hand delivered within Auckland/Northland only.
Dispatch Times
Plant courier orders are processed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
North Island orders are targeted overnight delivery, South Island orders are sent on a 2-day target but these are not a guaranteed delivery timeframe.
Add 1 extra day after a public holiday as well as for rural addresses or remote towns.
Monday - We send orders placed on previous Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Tuesday - We send Weekend orders from previous Saturday & Sunday.
Wednesday - We send orders placed from Monday & Tuesday.
XL Plants are delivered only within urban Auckland & Whangarei and this service is for non-urgent orders. This excludes satellite destinations such as Beachlands, Pukekohe, Piha, Helensville etc and Whangarei Heads. We may deliver at any time Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday in Auckland and you need to have a sheltered accessible position for us to deliver to.
Plants in Transit
Each Small, Medium & Large plant is individually contained within its own protective cardboard Plant Carton which may be joined to other cartons in your order.
Plants typically take just a day or two to arrive, however they are usually fine in their cartons for 1-2 weeks, and many can go longer, so a few extra days are not usually cause for concern.
Whether it takes 1 or 7 days, let your plant recover from its journey by placing in gentle light and adding a little water and it will be back to its best within a couple of days. Let us know if there are any major issues via the contact page.
