Rubber Plant
A bold evergreen tree with large, glossy dark green rubbery leaves; an easy-care floor plant for bright indoor spaces.
Bright LightBeginner FriendlyExtra Large ScaleFloor PlantToxic to Pets
Ornamental, Air Purifyingalso known as: Assam Rubber, Caoutchouc
Assessment
Is This For Me?
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Light ExposureinfoIndoor light recommendation based on the plant's native habitat. "Bright indirect" means near a window but shielded from direct rays.
Bright Indirect — Close to a window but out of direct rays.
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Watering HabitinfoHow forgiving this plant is when you miss a watering or accidentally overwater. High tolerance means more room for error.
Moderate — Consistent moisture preferred.
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Maintenance DifficultyinfoOverall ease of care rating. Beginner-friendly plants communicate their needs clearly through visible signs.
High — Great for beginners. Communicates needs clearly.
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Spatial RequirementinfoExpected mature size in a typical indoor environment. Actual size depends on light, pot size, and growing conditions.
Extra Large — Best for Living Room, Home Office.
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Seasonal BehaviourinfoHow this plant's growth changes with the seasons. Use this to adjust your care routine throughout the year.
Slows in Winter — Growth dips during shorter days. Ease off watering and skip fertilizer until spring.
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Temperature NeedsinfoThis range represents the plant's survival tolerance. Optimal growing temperatures are typically 5-10°C higher than the minimum.
10°C – 35°C — Cool-Tolerant — Standard indoor is warm enough. Tolerates cooler rooms — no special heating needed.
Appearance & Space
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Leaf Size
infoBetween 20 and 50 cm — bold statement leaves. Fiddle-leaf fig and bird of paradise fall here.Large
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Leaf Surface
infoPolished, mirror-like shine. Light catches the surface clearly, creating vivid reflections.Glossy
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Leaf Texture
infoThick but soft and bouncy, with an elastic feel. Think rubber tree (Ficus elastica).Rubbery
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Leaf Shape
infoElongated with nearly parallel sides and rounded tips. Longer than an oval but not pointed.Oblong
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Leaf Type
infoOne continuous leaf blade, even if it has holes or shallow lobes (like Monstera).Simple
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Visual Form
infoA clear trunk below with a leafy crown on top — a classic miniature tree silhouette.Tree Like
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Foliage Density
infoPartially filled — some gaps but overall good coverage. A natural, balanced look.Moderate
Size Gauge
Height
Extra Large / Floor (4m)
Spread
Wide (1.5m)
Display Position
Floor, Plant Stand
Perfect for
Living Room, Home Office, Sunroom
Color Palette
Deep Green
Core Care Logic
01
How Often to Water
Water when top inch of soil is dry
02
Finding the Right Light
Right next to a window, but shielded from direct rays. Look for a spot where you can see the sky but the sun never touches the leaves directly.
03
Choosing the Right Soil
A bag of standard indoor potting mix is all you need. Just make sure the pot has a drainage hole.
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Temperature & Humidity
Happy in cooler rooms — anywhere between 10–35°C is fine. Avoid placing near radiators or heat vents. Average home humidity (40–60%) works well. No extra effort needed.
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What to Expect
This is a slow grower — it won't outgrow its spot anytime soon, so enjoy it as-is and mostly takes care of itself. Just remove the occasional yellow leaf.
What Makes It Special
Recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (AGM)
auto_awesomeForms a banyan-type fig with aerial roots; initially epiphytic, developing into a large terrestrial tree with buttressing roots
auto_awesomeMilky sap (latex) was historically used to produce an inferior-grade rubber in the early 1900s
Botanical Archive
Moraceae · Ficus
Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem.
Assam, Bangladesh, China South-Central
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Botanical Archive
Moraceae · Ficus
Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem.
Assam, Bangladesh, China South-Central
Storage and Survival Organ
Woody Crown
How this plant survives unfavorable seasons
Seasonal Growth Cycle
Year Round Mild Winter Slow
When to expect new growth and feed actively
Root Sensitivity
Medium
How carefully you should handle roots during repotting
Attachment Strategy
Terrestrial
How this plant anchors itself in its native environment
Root System
Fine Fibrous
The structure and behavior of the root system
Light Ecology
Dappled Partial
The light environment this plant evolved to thrive in
Growth Habit
Woody Persistent
How persistent and structural the plant tissue is