Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Other Names: Rubber Fig, India Rubber Tree
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Bright, indirect light
Moderate; let top 1–2″ of soil dry
Easy to moderate
Indoors up to 6–10 ft
Details
🪴 Plant Type
Tropical evergreen tree
🌍 Native Region
Eastern Himalayas & Indochina
📈 Growth Habit
Single or multi‑stemmed, upright trunk; can be pruned into a bush or trained as a small indoor tree
📐 Size
Indoors: 6–10 ft tall, 2–4 ft wide
Outdoors (tropical): Up to 50–100 ft tall
🌸 Bloom Time
Rarely flowers when grown indoors; small, unremarkable figs may appear outdoors in warm climates
Care Requirements
☀️ Light
Thrives in bright, indirect or filtered light. Can tolerate some morning or late afternoon sun. Too little light → leggy growth and leaf drop
💧 Water
Water when the top 1–2″ of soil is dry. Avoid waterlogged soil—rubber plants dislike “wet feet”. Underwatering → leaf curl & drop; overwatering → yellowing leaves
🌍 Soil
Rich, well‑draining potting mix (aroid/palm mix or standard indoor mix amended with perlite). pH: Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.0)
🌡️ Temperature
Ideal: 60–75°F (16–24°C). Minimum: 55°F (13°C); sensitive to cold drafts
🧪 Fertilizer
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 10‑10‑10) every 4–6 weeks during spring & summer. No feeding in fall/winter
Additional Information
🌱 Propagation Methods
Stem cuttings in water or soil (node plus a bit of woody stem). Air layering for larger specimens
🐛 Common Problems
Leaf drop: Drafts, sudden light changes, inconsistent watering. Brown leaf edges: Low humidity or underwatering. Pests: Mealybugs, spider mites, scale
🌿 Companion Plants
Other medium‑light houseplants, e.g.: Monstera deliciosa, ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
⚠️ Special Notes
Mildly toxic if ingested (irritates pets & people). Excellent air purifier. Wipe leaves occasionally to keep them dust‑free and allow better light absorption