Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
A classic indoor tree native to South & Southeast Asia, with large glossy oval leaves that can exceed 30 cm long. Outdoors can reach 30 m; indoors typically stays 2–3 m tall. Milky white sap (latex) oozes from cut stems — let it dry before propagating and wash off skin, as it can irritate. Popular modern cultivars include deep-burgundy 'Burgundy', tricolour 'Tineke', and pink-marbled 'Ruby'.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Indoor (native to S & SE Asia)
Light
Bright indirect light; tolerates some morning sun
Bloom Time
Rarely flowers indoors
Soil
Well-draining peat-based potting mix
Water
When top 2–5 cm of soil is dry — typically every 7–10 days
Toxic to Pets— Latex sap irritates mouth & GI tract in cats & dogs
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Stem-tip cuttings (let sap dry, then root in water or soil) or air-layering for larger specimens
