Ruby Rubber Plant

Also known as: Rubber plant, Rubber tree, Indian rubber tree, Variegated rubber plant

Ficus elastica 'Ruby' is an evergreen, tree-like houseplant with large, glossy, oval leaves. New leaves are wrapped in bright pink sheaths and unfold to reveal creamy pink margins with irregular cream, green and pink marbling. The pink tones gradually soften as leaves mature, leaving a dark green centre and pale rosy edges. It grows with an upright, branching habit and is prized mainly for its showy variegated foliage. Indoors, it rarely flowers, but mature plants may produce small, inconspicuous fig-like syconia.

Ruby Rubber Plant

Scientific classification

Species: Ruby Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica Ruby)
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Family: Moraceae

Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested; the milky sap can irritate skin and eyes.
Toxicity: Information to be completed
Plant type: 2.5 - 4 metres
Height: 1.5 - 2.5 metres
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Sunlight: 18 – 27 °C
Ideal temperature

Ruby Rubber Plant pictures

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Distribution of Ruby Rubber Plant

Distribution map

Tropical Asia (north-eastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, southern China, Malaysia and Indonesia)

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Culture

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Toxicity

Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested; the milky sap can irritate skin and eyes.

Quick identification of Ruby Rubber Plant

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Ruby Rubber Plant care guide

Water when the top 2-3 cm of compost becomes dry; reduce watering in winter.
Watering: Information to be completed
Sunlight: 18 – 27 °C
Ideal temperature

Watering

Water when the top 2-3 cm of compost becomes dry; reduce watering in winter.

Fertilizing

Every 2-4 weeks during the growing season, using a balanced liquid feed.

Pruning

Prune in spring to control size and encourage branching; make cuts just above a leaf node. Wear gloves, as the milky sap may irritate skin.

Propagation

Take 10-15 cm stem-tip cuttings in late spring or early summer. Remove the lower leaves, rinse the cut end in lukewarm water to remove latex, then insert into moist cutting compost. Root in bright, indirect light at 20-25°C with high humidity; roots usually form within 3-5 weeks. Air layering is also successful for larger plants.

Growing

Grow in a loam-based or other well-drained houseplant compost. Place in bright, indirect light; insufficient light causes the pink and cream variegation to fade. Water thoroughly when the top few centimetres of the compost feel dry, and make sure excess water drains away freely. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-4 weeks from spring to summer, withholding feed in winter. Keep temperatures above 5°C, and avoid cold draughts; the plant grows best at 16-24°C.

More growing and care information →

Common pests and diseases

Diseases

Generally healthy, but susceptible to root rot if overwatered or kept in poorly drained compost; leaf spots may occur in wet, poorly ventilated conditions.