How to care for Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica · Moraceae
A forgiving, fast-growing tree with thick, glossy, deep-green or burgundy leaves that shrug off average home conditions. It is the low-drama Ficus — happy with bright light, restrained watering, and the occasional leaf wipe. Water roughly every 9 days while it's growing (about every 16 in winter), give it bright, indirect light, kept above 50°F (10°C) — average room humidity suits it.
Care at a glance
Let the top third of the soil dry before watering thoroughly; those thick leaves store more water than you'd think.
Bright indirect light keeps growth tight and burgundy varieties richly colored; it tolerates medium light with slower growth.
Monthly half-strength balanced feed in spring and summer.
Mistakes that kill this plant
- Watering weekly regardless of the season until the roots rot.
- Keeping it in deep shade — variegated forms in particular fade and drop leaves.
- Ignoring scale until the infestation covers every stem.
Seasonal tips
- Wipe the glossy leaves clean every month or two — dusty rubber plants stall noticeably.
- Prune the tip in spring to force branching; wear gloves, the latex is messy and irritating.
- Ease off watering sharply from late autumn.
Is it safe for pets?
We have Rubber Plant recorded as toxic to cats and dogs.
Full pet-safety details for cats & dogsCare for your Rubber Plant on autopilot
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Toxicity here is informational, not a safety guarantee. Those are our own records, compiled by following the ASPCA's published toxic and non-toxic plant lists and Pet Poison Helpline's plant poison list rather than copied from them — confirm anything that matters against the ASPCA's published lists, which this one is matched to, or with your vet. If your pet ingested this plant, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.