Growing Rubber Plant, Ficus elastica, Indoors

Brighten your indoor décor with the bold and beautiful rubber plant, botanically known as Ficus elastica.

This easy-care plant thrives in brightly-lit locations near east or west windows or several feet back from a south-facing window. Water thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil have just started to dry. This plant prefers moist soil when actively growing during the longer, brighter days of spring through fall. Allow the soil to go a bit drier during winter.

Pour off any excess water that collects in the saucer. Or place pebbles in the saucer to elevate the pot above any water that does collect in the saucer.

Occasionally wipe the dust off the large leaves with a damp rag. This reduces the buildup of debris that can limit sunlight to the plant.

In time and with proper care, the rubber plant can reach up to 10 feet tall.

A bit more information: This popular indoor plant is native to southeastern Asia where it can grow 50 to 100 feet tall. Its milky sap was once used to make an inferior rubber product.