Adding rubber plants to your home is an excellent way to bring some natural beauty indoors. With their large, glossy leaves and easygoing nature, rubber plants make fantastic houseplants. There are many different types of rubber plants to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics. Here are 10 of the best rubber plant varieties to consider for your home.

1. Burgundy Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’)

The burgundy rubber plant is a popular houseplant, prized for its large, burgundy-colored leaves. This variety has broad, oval-shaped leaves that can grow up to 10 inches long. The leaves emerge as a stunning burgundy color, eventually darkening to near-black as they mature. With striking dark foliage, this plant makes a dramatic statement in any indoor space.

The burgundy rubber plant grows to a height of 6-10 feet indoors. It prefers bright, indirect light and average room temperatures. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Humidity is also appreciated by this variety. Overall, it’s an easy-care houseplant if you meet its basic needs. This visually striking rubber plant is sure to garner attention!

2. Tineke Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’)

Sometimes called the “Frosty” rubber plant, the Tineke variety is beloved for its tricolored leaves in hues of green, cream, and pink. The striking variegated foliage adds plenty of visual interest. The leaves have a creamy white edge that gradually fades to light green in the center, with splashes of pink scattered throughout.

Tineke rubber plants grow 4-8 feet tall and wide, at a moderate pace. Give this variety bright, indirect sunlight to maintain the best leaf colors. Use a well-draining potting mix and avoid overwatering. The Tineke rubber plant is one of the most ornamental varieties, making a stunning display in any indoor garden.

3. Ruby Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Ruby’)

As its name suggests, the Ruby rubber plant has deeply colored burgundy-red leaves. The large, thick leaves are an eye-catching shade of crimson-red. With its bold, saturated leaf colors, this plant makes a dramatic accent in home decor.

This sturdy variety can grow quite tall, reaching heights of 7-10 feet as a houseplant. Provide bright, filtered light for your Ruby rubber plant. Water when the top couple inches of soil become dry. Avoid soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. The Ruby’s stunning red leaves will add vibrant color to indoor plant displays.

4. Decora Rubber Plant (Ficus decora)

Sometimes called the “Alien” rubber plant, Ficus decora is an interesting variety with textured foliage. This plant has large, oval leaves with prominent veining. The leaves have a deeply wrinkled appearance, with crinkled ridges across their surface.

Like other rubber tree varieties, Decora grows quickly into a substantial accent plant. It can reach heights of 6 feet or more indoors. Provide bright, indirect light if growing a Decora as a houseplant. This easygoing variety tolerates some neglect, though regular watering and humidity will keep it looking its best. The funky wrinkled leaves bring unique texture to indoor plantings.

5. Opaline Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Opaline’)

The Opaline rubber plant is another variegated variety, adorned with dramatic white-edged leaves. Its thick, leathery leaves have prominent white margins that add plenty of contrast. From a distance, the foliage takes on a frosty two-tone effect.

This variety grows at a moderate pace, able to reach heights of 4-8 feet as a houseplant. Provide consistent bright, indirect light to prevent leaf scorching. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. The Opaline rubber plant thrives with average room humidity. Grow this eye-catching plant in your home to add intrigue to your indoor garden.

6. Robusta Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’)

As its name implies, the Robusta rubber plant is an exceptionally vigorous, robust variety. This fast-growing plant has large, thick leaves that can reach over a foot long. The leaves are a rich green and have a leathery, waxy texture. With its substantial size, this variety makes an excellent focal point among other houseplants.

Provide plenty of space for your Robusta rubber plant to grow. It can easily reach heights of 10 feet or more when kept indoors. Give it bright filtered sunlight and a coarse, well-draining potting mix. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. The Robusta rubber plant is one of the largest varieties suitable for growing inside.

7. Doescheri Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Doescheri’)

The Doescheri rubber plant is an upright, tree-like variety with abundant leaves. This plant has a conical shape, with tiers of shiny leaves emerging along its branches. The large, oval-shaped leaves have prominent veining.

Grow Doescheri rubber plants in a spot with indirect sunlight to moderate light conditions. Avoid intense direct sun which can scorch the leaves. Water thoroughly and then allow the soil to partially dry before watering again. Doescheri can grow over 8 feet tall indoors, so provide adequate vertical space. The full, leafy shape of this rubber plant makes it an exceptional design choice.

8. Melany Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Melany’)

The Melany rubber plant is a compact bushy variety, perfect for small spaces. Unlike some others, this one has a dense, full shape with many leaves concentrated on short stems near the base. The leaves are medium-green in color with pale veining.

This petite variety reaches heights of just 3-5 feet, making it well-suited to desks, shelves, and tabletops. Provide indirect sunlight and avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. The Melany’s bushy shape gives it a full, ornamental look in a compact form.

9. Black Prince Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Black Prince’)

With its dramatic dark leaves, Black Prince is another bold variety for indoor plant displays. This rubber plant has large, thick leaves that are a deep purple-black color. The dark foliage appears near black in low light conditions.

Black Prince grows at a moderate pace, able to reach 6 feet tall indoors. Give it bright indirect light to encourage the richest leaf coloring. Avoid intense direct light, which may scorch the foliage. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings to prevent issues with rot. If you’re looking for an intensely colored houseplant, the Black Prince rubber plant is a stunning option.

10. Variegated Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica ‘Variegata’)

The variegated rubber plant showcases leaves edged and flecked with creamy white hues. The classic oval-shaped rubber plant leaves have a bold white border. Sometimes the leaves additionally feature white speckles and streaks across their surface.

This variegated rubber plant grows well in indoor conditions, reaching heights of 4-8 feet. Provide bright indirect sunlight and allow the potting mix to dry partially between waterings. Mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity. With its ornamental tricolored leaves, this plant is sure to add that special “wow factor” to your indoor garden areas.

How to Care for Rubber Plants

Now that you’re inspired to add one of these stunning rubber plants to your home, let’s go over some essential care tips to keep them healthy. With proper care, rubber plants can grow for many years into gorgeous indoor statement plants.

Light Requirements

Rubber plants need good light, but intense direct sun will scorch their leaves. Aim for bright, filtered light. East or west-facing windows are ideal. If your space lacks sufficient natural light, utilize supplemental grow lights.
Variegated varieties need bright light to maintain their colorful leaf patterns. Give them as much indirect sun as possible.
Low light causes leggy growth and washed-out foliage. If a plant isn’t getting enough light, move it or add a grow light.

Watering Needs

Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Water when the top few inches of soil become dry.
Take care not to overwater, as it can lead to root rot. Always use pots with drainage holes and well-draining soil.
Leaves dropping or turning brown and crispy around the edges can signal under-watering. Increase watering frequency if this occurs.
Yellowing lower leaves often indicates overwatering. Allow the plant to dry out before watering again.

Ideal Temperature

Rubber plants grow best with average room temperatures in the 65°-80°F range.
Cooler temperatures below 60°F can cause slowed growth. Avoid drafty locations.
Heat above 85°F can scorch leaves. Move plants away from hot, sunny windows on very warm days.

Humidity

Rubber plants appreciate average to moderately high humidity. Minimum 40% humidity is ideal.
Increase humidity around the plant by misting the leaves daily or using a humidifier.
Brown leaf tips and margins often signal low humidity. Try increasing humidity if leaf damage appears.

Fertilizer

Fertilize actively growing rubber plants every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing in winter.
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength. Follow label directions.
Over-fertilization can damage roots. Flush soil every few months to prevent salt buildup.

Potting Mix for Rubber Plants

Choosing the right potting mix is key to growing a healthy rubber plant. Here are some tips for selecting and preparing soil:

Opt for a coarse, well-draining potting mix containing ingredients like peat moss, perlite, bark chips or coconut coir.
Avoid regular garden soil, as it retains too much moisture leading to root rot.
Amend dense mixes with added perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage. Aim for a loose, aerated texture.
Repotting into fresh mix annually keeps plants thriving. Discard old, dense soil and refresh with new planting mix.
Adding activated charcoal to soil can help prevent overwatering issues. Its porous texture aerates the roots.
When repotting, break up any thick, compacted roots to encourage new healthy root growth. Remove any dead or diseased roots.

Ideal Pot Size

Picking the right pot size for your rubber plant encourages healthy growth. Here are some tips:

Choose a pot allowing 2-4 inches of space around the root ball for new growth. Don’t size up drastically.
Gradually move plants to somewhat larger pots as they grow. Aim to repot annually in the spring.
Avoid oversized pots, which retain too much moisture around the roots. Only size up a few inches per repotting.
Ensure pots have bottom drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. Pick heavy pots to support the plant’s substantial size.
For very tall varieties, use cylindrical pots rather than wide ones to accommodate vertical growth.

Pruning Rubber Plants

Pruning is beneficial for maintaining your rubber plant’s shape and promoting bushy new growth:

Prune in late winter or early spring before growth resumes. Avoid pruning in fall.
Use clean, sterilized scissors or shears to make precise cuts.
Remove leggy stems back to a healthy bud or leaf node. This encourages dense growth.
Prune back top-heavy plants to shape them and prevent drooping. Take off up to 1/3 of the total height.
Pinch off or prune back new shoots in spring to encourage bushiness if desired.
Remove any dead, damaged or diseased stems to improve plant health.
After major pruning, hold off fertilizing until new growth appears to prevent shock.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Rubber plants are relatively easy care, but they can encounter a few issues. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

Dropping Leaves

Overwatering and soggy soil causes leaves to turn yellow and drop. Allow soil to dry out before watering.
Too little water also causes leaf drop. Check soil and increase watering frequency if dry.
Insufficient light leads to sparse, leggy growth and leaf loss. Provide brighter light conditions.

Wilting or Drooping Leaves

Underwatering causes leaves to wilt and droop. Check soil and water if dry.
Overwatering can also cause wilting. Allow soil to dry out before watering again.
If well-watered, drooping leaves may indicate too much sunlight. Move plant to a shaded spot.

Leaf Spotting

Small brown spots on leaves can be due to dry air. Increase humidity around the plant through misting.
Mineral deposits in water or fertilizer buildup causes white spots on leaves. Wipe leaves and flush soil regularly.
Leaf fungal diseases like Botrytis may cause spots. Improve air circulation and avoid wet leaves.

Leggy Growth

If your plant becomes tall and leggy, it likely lacks sufficient light. Move it to a brighter location.
Prune back leggy stems to just above a leaf node to encourage bushy new growth.
Rotate the pot frequently to ensure even sun exposure on all sides.

Enjoying the Beauty of Rubber Plants

With proper care, the gorgeous rubber plant varieties highlighted here will thrive indoors, lending their bold tropical flair to your home decor. Their lush leaves and graceful forms make them exceptional statement plants. Be sure to provide the right growing conditions and proper potting mix for your rubber plant. Repot annually in fresh soil, and prune as needed to maintain an attractive shape. Most importantly, avoid overwatering which can lead to root issues. With the right care, you’ll enjoy the beauty of a thriving rubber plant for years to come!

10 Types of Rubber Plants For Your Home