Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
A stunning indoor tree with glossy, dark green leaves that can grow impressively tall indoors. This low-maintenance beauty is perfect for beginners and adds dramatic architectural presence to any room. Its thick, waxy leaves are incredibly forgiving and the plant thrives with minimal care.
Sun
Bright
Zones
9–12
USDA hardiness
Height
50-100 feet
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 50 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Layering, Root Cutting, Seed.
Harvesting
Fruiting is rare when grown indoors. Fruit is an oblong fig, sessile, in pairs or crowded, green with darker flecks maturing to yellow, to 1/2 inch long and 1/4 wide. The fruit is barely edible and contains fertile seeds only in areas where the pollinating insect is present.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
History & Origin
Origin: Southeast Asia: Nepal to China and Western Malesia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Dry Soil, Humidity
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Snake Plant
Similar light and watering needs, both tolerate low humidity and infrequent watering
Pothos
Complementary growth habits and similar care requirements, pothos trails while rubber plant grows upright
ZZ Plant
Both thrive in low to medium light and prefer soil to dry between waterings
Monstera
Similar tropical origins and humidity preferences, both tolerate indoor conditions well
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Compatible light requirements and watering schedules, both are popular indoor trees
Peace Lily
Both prefer bright, indirect light and help purify indoor air
Philodendron
Similar care needs and both adapt well to indoor environments with consistent temperatures
Spider Plant
Both are low-maintenance houseplants that tolerate similar light conditions
Keep Apart
Boston Fern
Requires consistently moist soil and high humidity, opposite of rubber plant's drought tolerance
Calathea
Needs high humidity and consistently moist soil, which can cause root rot in rubber plants
African Violet
Requires different light spectrum and consistent moisture that conflicts with rubber plant care
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, susceptible to root rot if overwatered
Common Pests
Spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs
Diseases
Root rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew