Houseplant
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica · Moraceae
Also called: Rubber Tree, Rubber Fig, India Rubber Plant
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is a low-water houseplant well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It's a moderate-growing houseplant.
Rubber Plant at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Bright indirect light indoors; tolerates a few hours of direct morning sun. In Tucson keep off unshaded south/west windows where summer sun through glass can scorch leaves; an east window or filtered south light is ideal.
- Mature size
- Indoors typically 6-10 ft tall and 2-4 ft wide; much larger (50+ ft) in tropical habitat but restrained in a pot.
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom
- Insignificant; does not reliably flower or fruit indoors, N/A indoors
- Cold hardiness
- Frost sensitive; keep indoors above ~55F, ideally 60-75F. Not cold hardy outdoors in Tucson winters (USDA 9a-9b frosts).
- Soil
- Well-draining peat- or coir-based houseplant potting mix; add perlite for aeration. Not planted in native desert soil.
- Native range
- Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and into southern China and Indonesia (tropical Asia)
- Best used as
- Indoor specimen/foliage plant, Air purification accent, Office/interior decor
- Wildlife
- None relevant; grown indoors.
- Toxicity
- Toxic to dogs, cats and humans if chewed; milky latex sap causes mouth/GI irritation and skin/eye irritation on contact. Keep away from pets and children.
How to grow Rubber Plant in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Grown indoors in Tucson. Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out, roughly every 7-10 days in summer and every 2-3 weeks in winter. Tucson's hard, salty tap water builds up over time, so leach the pot periodically; let it dry more between waterings in cool months to avoid root rot and leaf drop.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Feed with a balanced, dilute liquid houseplant fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20 at half strength) monthly during spring-summer growth; stop in fall and winter. Iron/micronutrient chlorosis can show with Tucson's alkaline water, so an occasional micronutrient or chelated-iron supplement helps.
Pruning & care
Prune in spring/summer to control height and encourage branching; pinch the growing tip to make it bushier. Wear gloves and protect surfaces, as cut stems ooze irritating milky latex.
Notes
Grown strictly as an indoor houseplant in Tucson; the low desert's intense sun, low humidity and winter frost make it unsuitable for outdoor landscape use. Wipe dust from the large glossy leaves and watch for spider mites/scale, which thrive in Tucson's dry indoor air. Boost humidity with grouping or a pebble tray.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (indoor/houseplant guidance); ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder