Common Name : Rubber Plant 

Scientific Name : Ficus elastica  

Family : Moraceae  

Native Region : Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Indonesia 

Plant Type : Evergreen tree, grown indoors as a smaller potted specimen 

The Rubber Plant is a bold, statement indoor tree with large, thick, glossy oval leaves in deep green, burgundy, or variegated shades. Native to parts of Northeast India, it grows into an impressive floor plant with minimal fuss, making a strong visual impact in any room. 

LIGHT  

Bright, indirect light gives the richest leaf colour; it tolerates medium light too, though growth slows and lower leaves may drop. Avoid harsh, direct midday sun. 

WATER  

Water when the top 3–4 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7–10 days, and reduce this in winter. It dislikes both drought stress and soggy soil. 

TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY 

Prefers 18–30°C and enjoys moderate to high humidity. Occasional misting or a pebble tray helps in dry, air-conditioned rooms. 

SOIL 

A well-draining, slightly rich potting mix works well – potting soil combined with cocopeat and perlite or sand.    

FERTILIZER 

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength once a month during the growing season (spring to monsoon); stop feeding in winter. 

POT & REPOTTING 

Repot every 1–2 years into a pot 3–5 cm larger, ideally in spring, once roots fill the current pot. 

PROPAGATION  

Propagate via stem cuttings that include a node, rooted in water or soil, or by air-layering for a thicker, more established new plant. 

PRUNING & MAINTENANCE 

Prune to control height and encourage branching. Wipe the large leaves regularly with a damp cloth to keep them glossy, and wear gloves if sensitive, since the milky sap can irritate skin. 

PESTS & DISEASE 

Watch for scale, mealybugs, and spider mites, especially in dry indoor air. Root rot can occur in overly wet soil. 

COMMON PROBLEMS   

Dropping lower leaves can result from underwatering, overwatering, or a sudden change in temperature or location. Brown leaf edges point to low humidity or inconsistent watering, while leggy growth with sparse leaves suggests insufficient light. 

SEASONAL CARE  

Growth slows in winter – water less and pause fertilizing. In peak summer, protect the plant from scorching direct sun and keep humidity up in air-conditioned rooms.

PET & HUMAN SAFETY  

Toxic to cats and dogs, and the milky sap can irritate human skin and eyes on contact. Keep away from pets and handle cuttings with care.

PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS 

1. Wipe the large leaves every couple of weeks – dust build-up noticeably dulls their glossy shine and blocks light absorption.   

2. Keep it in one favourite spot; Rubber Plants dislike being moved often and may drop leaves in protest. 

3. Wear gloves when pruning, since the milky white sap can irritate the skin. 

4. Stake young plants if they lean, and prune the top to encourage bushier, multi-branched growth.  

5. Refresh the top layer of soil each year if you'd rather not repot into a bigger pot.