Complete Care & Troubleshooting Guide
The rubber plant earned its name from its sap â once tapped commercially â but earns its place with temperament: big leathery leaves, upright growth to the ceiling, and tolerance for the imperfect care that kills fussy plants. Burgundy and variegated cultivars add drama.
Care. Bright indirect light produces the biggest, darkest leaves; it tolerates medium light but grows slower and leggier. Water when the top two inches dry â consistently moist but never soggy. Wipe leaves monthly (they collect dust noticeably). To control height or force branching, cut a stem â it branches below the cut, and the cutting roots easily. Feed monthly in the growing season.
Watch for: leaf drop from cold drafts or soggy soil, and milky sap when pruning (skin irritant). Toxic to pets if chewed â the sap irritates mouths and stomachs.