Plant
MEET THE PLANT Explore all plants
Rubber plant.
Ficus elastica
An Asian fig grown for thick, glossy leaves on a strong single stem that can be pruned to branch. It sheds leaves when conditions change suddenly, so a stable spot matters.
LightBright, indirect
WaterAllow partial drying
THE CARE NOTES
How to help it thrive.
01
Light & placement
Give it 10,000–20,000 lux close to an east or west window, with a few hours of gentle sun once acclimated. Variegated ‘Tineke’ and ‘Ruby’ need the top of that range to keep their cream and pink.
02
Water & drainage
Water when the top 3–5 cm is dry, probing 10–15 cm deep in large floor pots where the core stays wet longer. Keep it above 12 °C (54 °F) and away from cold drafts, which trigger leaf drop.
03
Read the full care guide One thing to remember
Cut the top 1 cm above a node in spring to make it branch; wear gloves, as the milky latex irritates skin.
Further reading: Horticultural source
