Rubber Plant
Glossy, thick, almost leathery leaves on a plant that is far easier than its famous cousin the fiddle leaf. It tolerates lower light, misses a watering without drama, and grows into a small tree in a few years.
If you want the look of an indoor tree without the temperament, this is the one. The rubber plant has the same deep green gloss people love in a fiddle leaf, on a plant that forgives a missed watering and a slightly dim corner.
The burgundy and variegated forms are just as easy. The darker the leaf, the less light it needs.
Light
Bright indirect light keeps the leaves large and the plant compact. It tolerates medium light, growing slower and leggier, and it will take a few hours of direct sun once acclimatised. Variegated forms need the brighter end or they revert to plain green.
Water
Let the top two inches dry out, then water thoroughly. In summer that is about every nine days; in winter, half as often. It stores water in its thick leaves and stems, so when in doubt, wait. Yellowing lower leaves almost always mean too much water, not too little.
Soil and potting
Any good potting mix with a handful of perlite for drainage. Repot every two years, or when water runs straight through without soaking in. It is happy slightly root-bound.
Feeding
Half-strength balanced feed monthly in spring and summer. Skip winter.
Propagation
Stem cuttings root readily in water or soil in warm months. Wear gloves; the sap is sticky and irritating. Air layering is the way to shorten a plant that has grown past the ceiling.
In a hot, dry home
One of the better big plants for a dry home. The thick leaves hold moisture, and it does not mind air conditioning. Keep it out of direct west sun through glass and wipe the leaves monthly; dust shows on that gloss.
Rubber Plant varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Burgundy
Near-black glossy leaves with a red midrib. The common dark form.
- Robusta
The plain green form with large leaves. Fastest.
- Tineke
Cream and green variegated leaves with pink new growth. Needs bright light to hold the cream.
- Ruby Pink
Tineke with a strong pink flush across the leaves.
- Shivereana
Pale green leaves speckled and mottled with cream and pink.
- Yellow Gem
Actually Ficus altissima: broad green leaves with yellow-lime margins. Same care as a rubber plant.
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A different species, Ficus microcarpa, sold as a bonsai. Has its own profile.
Full profile
Problems and fixes
Lower leaves turning yellow and dropping
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Let the pot dry further between waterings and make sure it drains. Remove yellow leaves.
Leaves drooping and soil bone dry
Likely cause: Underwatering
Fix: Soak thoroughly. It recovers within a day.
Small new leaves and long gaps between them
Likely cause: Not enough light
Fix: Move it nearer a window.
Rubber Plant questions
Is a rubber plant easier than a fiddle leaf fig?
Yes, clearly. It tolerates lower light, drier soil and the occasional move. If you have killed a fiddle leaf, start here.
Is the rubber plant safe for pets?
No. The milky sap is irritating to cats and dogs and can cause drooling and vomiting if chewed.
How big does a rubber plant get indoors?
Six to eight feet in a few years with good light. Prune the top in spring to keep it shorter and encourage branching.
Plants with a similar rhythm
ZZ Plant
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
