Why will I love it?
The rubber plant, or Ficus elastica, serves all the looks without needing lots of attention. Its leaves are top tier glossy and firm, making them both attractive and hardy.
Light or shade?
Bright indirect light to low light.
Where should I put it?
In your front room on the floor, a side table or plant stand. Wherever you can admire its beauty and dust those leaves regularly. (Note: it is toxic to cats and dogs.)
How do I keep it alive?
This species is very easy to care for. You might want to mist the leaves in summer as they can be prone to drying. Clean the leaves gently with tepid water and a damp sponge to remove any dust – this improves the plant’s ability to photosynthesise; there is no need to use leaf shine. Avoid draughts or sudden drops in temperature below 12C.
Did you know…
In its natural habitat it can grow up to almost 30 metres; indoors it reaches a more manageable three metres. These are plants of enduring longevity, surviving 25 to 50 years indoors or several hundred years in the wild.
