Elegant and satiny , the shiny rubber industrial plant is n’t only a gorgeous houseplant — it ’s alow - maintenance and long - lasting oneas well . And there ’s not just one case of gum elastic plant , either . If you ’re rummy about these impress foliage plants , here ’s everything you need to get laid about them , as well as some of our top option .

What are rubber plants?

aboriginal to Southeast Asia , safe plants are some of the most popular houseplants out there — not only are they satiny and stylish , but they ’re also affordable and easy to keep . They feature leathery oval leaves that go forth from woody stems . New rubber plant leaves grow inside cerise case , which expend when the leaves are ready to unfurl .

When youcut the leaves for propagationor accidentally pull them , you might notice a white saphead come out . This sap can irritate the hide and is toxic when ingested , so be measured when you address a rubber plant — you want to be conservative around kids and pets .

General rubber plant care

Rubber plants are some of the easiest houseplants to care for . When it comes to watering , allow your soil to dry out before reach your plant a drink . Overwatering cancause leaves to yellow and drop , especially during the winter . In the summertime , keep your land evenly moist . The rubber plant is n’t peculiarly picky about humidity , but it does prefer quick temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit . It ’s also not a heavy feeder , but it appreciate monthly feeding with an all - purpose fertilizer for strong outgrowth and lustrous folio .

Like most houseplants , the rubber plant life is a buff of bright indirect luminousness . Hypothetically speaking , you could pass on a safety works inlow light source . You wo n’t get much ontogenesis from it , though , and it would get leggy from load toward the lighting . Plus , the leaf on the plant might become thudding , and variegated kind could turn back to green . tenacious tale short , give your caoutchouc flora as much visible radiation as possible — a southwestern window is ideal , but keep in mind that too much direct sunlight could burn your foliage .

Every so often , wipe your leave with a besotted cloth . Not only will this make your plant attend cleaner , but it ’ll also help it take in more brightness to convert into energy .

Different rubber plant varieties for your home

Whether you ’re looking for the best plant for your habitation , or you simply want to collect all the natural rubber plants out there , here ’s a list to get you started .

Ficus elastica robusta

Ficus elastica robusta is your aboveboard genus Ficus elastica with glistening , leathery medium green leaves . compare to the follow varieties , it ’s more of a pure green in coloring . It ’s considered the close cultivar to the original ficus elastica brought over to the states from Asia ; the main remainder is that its folio are spacious and showy than the original plant . All the above aid bakshish apply to this plant life for healthy increase .

Ficus elastica burgundy

The ubiquitous burgundy is another one of the quintessential arctic plants out there . It has dark green leaves with brilliant red veins — the leaf also come out from red sheaths , contributing to a dramatic colour direct contrast on the plant . For a variety with an even deeper leafage colour , insure out the Black Prince . With the Bourgogne , annul overwatering it or pass on it next to drafty windows , or else the parting may start dropping .

Ficus elastica ruby

If you love a splashing of red and pinko , this rubber plant smorgasbord deserves a space in your accumulation . This ficus elastica flaunts darkmottled leaveswith a pinkish , wine - blood-red colour all over . The more sun you may give it , the more intense its people of color will become . Fertilizing will also avail upkeep its color , although overdoing it could burn your leaves .

Ficus elastica Tineke

Though it ’s a relatively recent cultivar , the Tineke is wide available . It looks interchangeable to the ruby variety without the intensepink color . Great for pattern lovers , its leaves consist of dappled camo - manner green leaves with cream edges and ruby-red leaf rib . Do n’t give the Tineke too much direct light , as the ointment edges can burn and lose their ingathering .

Ficus altissima “Yellow Gem”

The ficus altissima is more of a cousin to the condom plant , but its forethought requirements and characteristic are similar . It sport bright unripe leaves with dark dark-green splashes and a large bright gullible tantalization . Though the leaves are leatherlike and produce a white sap , they take issue from regular pencil eraser plants in that they sense slightly tenuous and have more marked veins . If we go by its vividness palette , it make an first-class companion to plants such as the philodendron brasil , Ne pothos , and lemon - lime maranta .

Honorable mention: Peperomia obtusifolia

Here ’s an honorable mention : For a works that ’s not quite a rubber plant but still similar , check out the peperomia obtusifolia , which is sometimes called the infant galosh plant life . It features thick ellipse leaf that have more of a shrubby rather than an upright form . If you already have your fair share of rubber industrial plant , consider this plant .

Rubber plants can make for some of the most long - endure pillars in a houseplant assembling , as long as you do n’t overwater them or lose it their leave . With sufficient fertilizing and bright collateral igniter , they will rightfully thrive and reward you with beautiful colour . From standard green varieties to splashier pink ones , pick out from many rubber works types . They wo n’t be tricky to source down , either . With a simple walk into a garden substance or a quick lookup online , you may pick up this beloved common houseplant rather than you cogitate !