Rubber plant burgundy (Ficus elastica)

Rubber plant 

also known as the Ficus elastica, it, is an unusual-looking varietal native to the tropics of Southeast Asia. This long-lived plant boasts oversized, oval-shaped leaves with a rich emerald hue and can grow quickly, reaching up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat. It’s not the easiest plant for beginners because it’s not very forgiving if it doesn’t get the care it needs. However, it’s more often grown indoors as a houseplant, where it can be planted and cared for year-round, and its size is kept more manageable.

When it comes to caring for a rubber plant, care is straightforward. It needs adequate light, moisture, and warmth (it is a tropical plant). Give it a southern or eastern exposure, but keep it several feet away from the windows, and you’ll be rewarded with an exotic addition to your indoor plant collection.

How to Grow Rubber Tree Indoors

The rubber plant has waxy-looking leaves that start with a pink-coral hue, eventually deepening to dark rich green. As the plant grows, it will begin to droop, so you must help support  its leaves by using a long wooden dowel (or bamboo stalk) to help keep them upright.

Sunlight

Like most plants in their genus, rubber plants love lots of bright, diffused light. They can tolerate soft morning sunlight but should be moved out of the line of harsh direct rays in the afternoon as they can singe the leaves. Plants that do not receive sufficient light will become leggy, lose their lower leaves, and their leaf color will become dull instead of glossy and vibrant.

Watering

Water your rubber plant frequently—they like to be kept steadily moist but not soaked. Rubber plants also are vulnerable to excessive dryness and don’t tolerate drought well. To check if its time for another watering, check the moisture levels in the first few inches of soil—if they’re dry and crumbly, it’s time to water your plant again.

Temperature and Humidity

Like other types of ficus trees, these plants are vulnerable to cool drafts. Unhealthy plants will become leggy, with stretching internodes, and the leaves might first turn yellow and then brown before dropping off entirely. Generally, rubber trees are best kept in moderate to warm temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with moderate humidity as well. If your home tends to be dry, invest in a space humidifier to increase the levels.

Fertilizer

Feed the plant a weak liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. They are relatively heavy feeders when healthy. Some experts recommend only lightly fertilizing indoor plants to prevent stretching and plants becoming root-bound because they grow too fast.