Rubber plant care guide
Ficus elastica
The rubber plant, or rubber tree (Ficus elastica), has thick, glossy leaves in deep green, near-black burgundy or variegated pink and cream. It's sturdier and more forgiving than its cousin the fiddle leaf fig, and grows into a handsome indoor tree.
This guide covers light, watering, winter care, temperature, soil, pruning and propagation, outdoor care, problems, and care for burgundy, tineke, ruby and baby rubber plants.
Medium light · Bright, indirect light
About once a week
Easy
Not pet-safe
Where to water it
Pour water slowly onto the soil around the base, not over the leaves, until it runs out of the drainage holes. Empty the saucer after 15 minutes.
When: When the top 2 inches are dry.
Where to put it
Near a bright window, out of harsh afternoon sun. Wipe the leaves to keep them glossy.
Common mistakes
- Low light, which makes it leggy
- Overwatering
- Sudden moves that cause leaf drop
Rubber plant care at a glance
A rubber plant care calendar in one table.
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light. Tolerates medium light. |
| Water | When the top 1 to 2 inches are dry, about every 1 to 2 weeks. |
| Temperature | 60°F to 85°F. Minimum around 50°F. |
| Humidity | Average indoor air is fine. |
| Soil | Well-draining potting mix with perlite or bark. |
| Fertilizer | Monthly in spring and summer. |
| Pruning | Late winter or spring to shape and branch. |
| Pets | Mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The sap irritates skin. |
How much light does a rubber plant need?
Bright, indirect light is ideal: near an east or west window, or back from a south window. Rubber plants tolerate medium light, but in dim rooms they get leggy, with long gaps between smaller leaves, and burgundy types turn greener.
Variegated types such as tineke and ruby need the brightest indirect light to keep their cream and pink. An hour or two of gentle morning sun is fine; hot afternoon sun can scorch.
How often to water a rubber plant
Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, about every 1 to 2 weeks in spring and summer and every 2 to 4 weeks in winter. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer.
Rubber plants drop leaves when overwatered, and droop when underwatered. Yellowing lower leaves mean too much water; curling or drooping leaves that perk up after watering mean too little.
Rubber plant winter care and temperature
In winter, water every 2 to 4 weeks and stop feeding. Keep it above 50°F, ideally above 60°F, and away from cold windows, doors and heater vents. Sudden temperature swings are the top cause of winter leaf drop.
Soil, repotting and fertilizer
Use a well-draining potting mix with perlite or orchid bark. Repot every 1 to 2 years in spring, one pot size up. Rubber plants grow well slightly root-bound, which also slows their height.
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Wipe the large leaves with a damp cloth every month to keep them glossy and dust-free.
Pruning and propagation
Prune in late winter or spring. Cut just above a leaf node to make the plant branch and grow bushier; new shoots form below the cut. Cut a leggy stem back hard and it will sprout lower down.
Wear gloves. Rubber plants bleed a sticky white latex sap that irritates skin and stains. Dab the cut with a damp paper towel until it stops.
To propagate, root a 6 inch tip cutting with 2 or 3 leaves in water or moist potting mix. Roots form in 3 to 6 weeks in a warm, bright spot.
Rubber plant outdoor care
Rubber plants grow outdoors all year in USDA zones 10 to 12, including South Florida and Southern California, where they become large trees with spreading roots. Plant them well away from foundations and pipes.
Elsewhere, a potted rubber plant can spend summer outside in bright shade. Acclimate it to sun gradually, and bring it inside before nights drop below 55°F.
Common rubber plant problems
Most problems come from water, light or a sudden change.
- Leaves falling off: overwatering, cold drafts or a recent move.
- Yellow leaves: overwatering, or old leaves at the base dying naturally.
- Drooping or curling leaves: thirst. Water deeply.
- Brown, crispy edges: underwatering or very dry air.
- Burgundy turning green or variegation fading: too little light.
- Leggy with small leaves: too little light. Move it brighter and prune.
- Pests: scale and mealybugs. Wipe with rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad.
Tall rubber trees in burgundy or tineke are a favorite for offices and showrooms. Leafstruck installs them in designer planters and keeps them glossy and healthy with weekly care.
Large indoor trees for businessRubber plant varieties and how to care for each
All Ficus elastica varieties share the same care. Two plants sold as rubber plants are something else entirely.
Burgundy
Also sold as Black Prince, black rubber plant
Deep burgundy to near-black leaves with red new growth.
Care: The toughest variety. Bright light keeps it dark; in low light it greens up.
Tineke
Green leaves with cream and pale green variegation and pink midribs.
Care: Bright, indirect light to keep its color. Grows slower than solid green.
Ruby
Also sold as Pink rubber plant
Variegated pink, cream and green leaves.
Care: Needs the brightest indirect light for strong pink.
Robusta and Decora
Classic large, glossy green leaves.
Care: Standard care. Fast-growing.
Baby rubber plant
Also sold as American rubber plant, Peperomia obtusifolia
Small, thick, rounded leaves on a compact plant.
Care: Not a ficus. Water when the top half of the soil is dry, give medium light, and pinch tips to keep it bushy. Safe for pets.
Japanese rubber plant
Also sold as Jade plant, Crassula ovata
Thick, round succulent leaves.
Care: Not a rubber plant at all. Care for it like a jade plant: sun and very little water.
Your Rubber Plant watering schedule
Every 9 days · about once a week
Water the soil
Pour water slowly onto the soil around the base, not over the leaves, until it runs out of the drainage holes. Empty the saucer after 15 minutes.
Check first: When the top 2 inches are dry.
Schedules are a starting point. Always check the soil before you water. Full Rubber Plant care guide
Too many plants to keep track of? We water them for you.
Rubber Plant questions
How do you care for a rubber plant indoors?
Bright, indirect light, water when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry, monthly feeding in spring and summer, and keep it away from cold drafts.
How often should I water a rubber plant?
About every 1 to 2 weeks in spring and summer and every 2 to 4 weeks in winter.
Why are the leaves falling off my rubber plant?
Usually overwatering, cold drafts or a recent move. Stabilize its spot and let the soil dry more between waterings.
Why is my burgundy rubber plant turning green?
Too little light. Move it to brighter, indirect light and new leaves will come in darker.
How do I make my rubber plant bushier?
Cut the main stem just above a node in spring. It will branch below the cut.
What's the lowest temperature a rubber plant can take?
About 50°F for short periods. It's happiest above 60°F.
Can a rubber plant live outside?
Yes, all year in USDA zones 10 to 12, or in bright shade in summer elsewhere.
Are rubber plants easy to care for?
Yes. They're more forgiving than fiddle leaf figs and tolerate medium light and the odd missed watering.
Is a baby rubber plant the same as a rubber plant?
No. A baby rubber plant is a peperomia. It stays small, needs less water, and is safe for pets.
Rubber trees without the upkeep
We install tall rubber plants for offices, lobbies and showrooms, then clean, water and prune them on a schedule, with free replacements.
Plants that like the same light
Test what you know
Water It Right game
Ten plants, two questions each: how often, and where does the water go?
GameFind the Right Spot game
Place each plant in the room where it will thrive, from sunny windows to windowless hallways.
QuizPlant matcher quiz
Answer five questions about your light, space and style to get three plants that will thrive.