How to Grow and Care for Rubber Plants Indoors

The rubber plant or rubber fig plant (Ficus elastica) is a houseplant that thrives in containers and is well-loved for the rich color and shine of its thick leaves. The foliage has a waxy sheen and provides ongoing color. New growth appears as red spikes before revealing thick green leaves that come to a fine point.

Though the rubber plant is hardy outdoors only in warm climates, it's easy to grow indoors. One warning: The thick, milky sap secreted by the plant can irritate the skin, triggering those with latex allergies, and it's toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. "Efforts should be taken to place plants out of reach or elevated in containers," says Paul Sangha, landscape architect and founder of Paul Sangha Creative. Learn more from our experts on how to grow and care for a rubber plant indoors.

Rubber Plant Varieties

This wildly popular houseplant is evergreen, adds year-round color and interest, and can grow to a dramatic size indoors. "Though able to reach heights over 100 feet when grown in their native range, indoor rubber trees will be content to maintain much more manageable sizes, usually up to about 10 feet," says Tonya Barnett, a YouTube creator with FRESHCUTKY Cut Flower & Vegetable Garden.

The plants, which get their name from their response to cutting and damage, secrete a thick milky sap, which was once used to produce a rubber-like substance. "Compounds within the sap are known to cause skin irritation and may even trigger those with latex allergies," says Barnett.

Not all rubber plants look identical. Jessica Mercer of Plant Addicts recommends these varieties for an even more colorful addition to your indoor garden.

• Ficus Elastica Audrey: "This variety is easier than most to grow," says Mercer. "The Audrey also has attractive yellow veining."
• Ruby pink rubber tree (or variegated rubber tree): "This is another favorite because the variegated foliage stands out among other houseplants and provides color all year," she says. "Ruby pink is also resistant to leaf drop, which is a common complaint against rubber trees."
• Tineke rubber tree: "This is another beautifully variegated variety. It is hardy and prefers higher light intensity than some of the other varieties," says Mercer.
• Burgundy rubber tree: Mercer likes this rubber tree for its crimson leaves that darken to a deep maroon, which immediately adds drama to an indoor plantscape.
  

Growing and Caring for Rubber Plants

Though they are hardy outdoors in USDA zones 9, 10, and 11, it's most common to grow rubber plants indoors. "Ficus elastica makes a wonderful houseplant for colder zones because it doesn't need high-intensity sunlight or heat," says Mercer.

Sun

Barnett suggests placing rubber plants in a location with bright, indirect light for most of the day. "While they can survive under low light conditions, this often leads to leaf drop and increased stress," says Barnett. "Too much direct sunlight can also be detrimental to the overall health of the plant."

Watering Requirements

Keep soil moist but avoid overwatering, as it can lead to the development of various diseases or even cause root rot. "Additional misting of leaves may also be needed throughout winter when indoor humidity is especially low," says Barnett.

Soil Requirements

Rubber plants thrive in loamy, slightly acidic soil; opt for a well-draining blend with a pH between 5.5 and 7. "Select a high quality, rich potting soil, and mix in extra pumice or perlite for drainage," says Mercer. "A DIY recipe could include 2 parts commercial potting soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part pine bark."

Fertilizer

Fertilize regularly with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer during active growth in the warmer months. This should be done every two weeks—unless plants are growing in lower light, then they should be fertilized less frequently.

If you're looking to give your rubber tree a boost during the growing season, Sangha suggests doing so with a regular monthly fertilizer during the spring and fall with a half-diluted indoor plant fertilizer in either liquid or slow-release form.

Growing Rubber Plants Outdoors

Though rubber plants are most commonly grown as houseplants, they can survive in the ground in warmer parts of the United States. "It should be planted in a shady location with filtered sunlight, as it naturally grows in the understory of tropical rainforests," says Mercer. "Unlike most indoor plants, rubber plants can grow quite tall outdoors and may need regular pruning to keep its size in check."

Keep the soil moist by mulching the roots with compost. "When grown outdoors, rubber tree only needs to be fertilized once or twice during the growing season," says Mercer.

How to Winterize Rubber Plants

Rubber plants are dormant in the winter, so whether they are grown indoors or out, they need less water. "Water them every two to three weeks when the soil feels dry," says Mercer. "Dormant plants will not require any feeding."

How to Prune Rubber Plants

Late spring or early summer is the best time to prune your rubber plant for size or shape, or to remove dead or crossing branches, says Mercer. "If your plant is too tall, you can cut off the crown to the desired height," she says. "If you would like to promote a bushy shape, cut back lateral side shoots just after a growth node—the plant will respond by growing one or two new shoots from this point." She recommends wearing gloves to protect against skin irritation caused by the latex in the plant's sap.

Repotting Rubber Plants

Rubber plants grow quickly in pots, says Mercer, and you should expect to repot the plant when you can see the roots—typically every two to three years. Repot the plant in early spring, near the end of its dormant period, into a container 2 to 4 inches bigger than the current one.

"Fill the container partway with loamy, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Gently remove the plant from its container, and if the roots are potbound, tease apart the outer roots with your fingers," says Mercer. "Place the plant in the new container and spread the soil around the rootball, leaving about 1 to 2 inches of space at the top of the container for watering."

Propagating Rubber Plants

The rubber plant may be native to Southeast Asia, but you can find one for your home in most places where houseplants are sold. "Although rubber fig trees are typically easy to find at your local nursery, plant enthusiasts may want to propagate their own," Sangha says. "This can be done using cuttings or air layering techniques along with rooting hormones to stimulate root growth." Stem cuttings will take root in about six weeks.

Starting Rubber Plants From Seed

It is also possible to grow rubber plants from seed but Barnett says that this process requires some research and patience. "Since rubber plants seldom set seed indoors, hopeful growers should make certain to obtain [seeds] only from reputable sources," she says, adding that this helps ensure that newly produced plants are disease-free and true to type.

Common Problems With Growing Rubber Plants

Several common types of pests are drawn to the sap of the ficus plant's leaves, including mealybugs, thrips, and scale insects, says Mercer; these tiny pests can often be wiped off using a cloth dipped in alcohol. "The most common diseases of ficus include anthracnose, root rot, and bacterial leaf spot," says Mercer.

• Anthracnose: Brownish spots on leaf tips may indicate anthracnose. Remove the foliage and apply a fungicide.
• Bacterial leaf spot: Oozing yellow or brown spots can be a sign of bacterial leaf spot. Cut off the infected leaves and try not to wet the rest of the foliage.
• Root rot: "Signs of root rot include wilting, dropping leaves, and mushy roots," says Mercer. "Root rot is difficult to treat, but the best course of action is to remove damaged leaves, trim the mushy roots, and repot the plant in a well-draining potting mix."