Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is a houseplant worth getting to know properly, and this guide covers exactly how to keep it healthy: light, water, soil, humidity, temperature, feeding, repotting, propagation and the problems that show up when something is off. The care numbers below come from standard horticultural references.
Rubber Plant is a classic houseplant: a small tree with large, glossy, dark-green leaves on a single upright stem.
Rubber Plant at a glance
| Care need | What this plant wants |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Ficus elastica |
| Light | bright indirect |
| Water | every 1–2 weeks; let top soil dry |
| Humidity | moderate |
| Temperature | 60–85°F |
| Pet safety | toxic to cats and dogs |
| Repotting | every 2–3 years |
Light
Give your Rubber Plant bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window is ideal; harsh midday sun through a south-facing window can scorch the leaves, leaving pale, papery patches, while too little light makes the plant stretch, grow small leaves and lose variegation. If your only spot is dim, a grow light helps — our grow-light calculator can work out how many hours your plant needs.
Watering
Water every 1–2 weeks; let top soil dry. Push a finger into the soil before you water: if it is still damp at the depth described, wait; if it is dry, water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then let the excess drain away completely and empty the saucer. Never let the plant sit in standing water.
Consistency matters more than volume. A Ficus watered on a wildly varying schedule — soaked one week, bone dry the next — is far more likely to drop leaves than one watered a little less but on a steady routine. When in doubt, wait a day and check the soil again — most houseplants recover from a late watering far more easily than from a wet one.
Humidity and temperature
This plant prefers moderate humidity and temperatures of 60–85°F. Most homes sit in the comfortable middle of that temperature range, which is why it does well indoors, but winter is the season to watch: cold draughts from windows and doors, hot dry air from radiators, and sudden temperature swings all stress the plant. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room suits this plant.
Soil, potting and repotting
Use a rich but free-draining mix: good potting soil with perlite or orchid bark mixed in, in a pot with drainage holes. Empty the saucer after watering — a Ficus standing in water will drop leaves.
Repot every 2–3 years. The signs it is time are roots circling out of the drainage holes, water running straight through the pot without wetting the soil, or growth that has stalled even though light and water are right. Move up only one pot size — a pot that is too big holds wet soil the roots cannot use — and repot in spring, when the plant is about to grow.
Feeding
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength, while the plant is actively growing. Do not feed in autumn and winter, and flush the soil with plain water every few months to wash out salts. Our fertiliser calculator works out the amount from the label rate and your pot size.
Propagation
Propagate from stem cuttings in spring or early summer: take a cutting with a few leaves, let the cut end dry for an hour, then root it in water or moist mix in a warm, bright spot. Rooting takes several weeks, so be patient. Air layering is the other reliable method for a tall plant.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brown leaf edges | Low humidity or underwatering | See below |
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering | See below |
| Leggy growth | Too little light | See below |
Brown leaf edges
Likely cause: low humidity or underwatering. Raise humidity, water consistently so the soil does not swing between soaked and bone dry, and flush the soil occasionally to remove salts. Damaged edges will not heal, but new leaves should come out clean.
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: overwatering. Let the soil dry more between waterings, check the pot drains freely, and remove the leaf once fully yellow. One yellow old lower leaf is normal ageing; several at once points to watering.
Leggy growth
Likely cause: too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot and prune back stretched growth in spring. New growth should be more compact in better light.
Our plant disease checker can help match leaf spots, wilting and discolouration to common problems if you are unsure what you are looking at.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Rubber Plant?
Water every 1–2 weeks; let top soil dry. Always check the soil with a finger first rather than watering on a fixed day, because the interval changes with the season and pot size. Water thoroughly when the soil is dry and let the excess drain away.
How much light does Rubber Plant need?
It needs bright indirect light — a spot near an east- or west-facing window usually suits it well. Too little light gives small leaves and leggy growth; harsh midday sun can scorch the leaves.
Is Rubber Plant safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, this plant is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants, and if a pet eats any of it, contact your vet.
When should I repot Rubber Plant?
Repot every 2–3 years, or sooner if roots circle out of the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size, use fresh free-draining mix, and repot in spring.
Why are the leaves on my Rubber Plant turning yellow or brown?
Yellow leaves are most often caused by overwatering; brown edges or tips most often by low humidity, underwatering or fertiliser salts. Check the table above before changing anything else.
Related guides
Browse the full houseplants hub for more species care guides, or see the sample Monstera Deliciosa care guide for the same format applied to a climbing philodendron relative.