Close up of the leaves of rubber tree houseplants.

Rubber Trees

Looking for an interesting and exotic houseplant to grow? Why not try a rubber tree! These plants are fairly easy to care for, and can add a bit of color and interest to any room. Use our guides below to help choose your cultivar(s) and how to grow and care for these beautiful plants.

Why Is My Rubber Tree Dropping Leaves?

A horizontal close-up of two leaves on a rubber tree plant.

When a rubber tree (Ficus elastica) starts dropping its huge, glossy leaves, there’s a big, obvious gap left behind. This guide will cover the common reasons why leaf drop happens, whether it’s a pest infestation or maybe just a change in environment, and how to fix the cause so that those leaves stay put. Read more.

Why Is There a Red Sheath on My Ficus Elastica? Do Rubber Trees Flower?

A close up horizontal image of a red sheath on a ficus plant.

In spring and summer, your healthy, actively growing Ficus elastica, or rubber tree, may send up a red sheath that appears to be a bud. While the rubber tree can produce a type of inflorescence, this is rare for plants grown indoors. So, if it’s not a bud, what other purpose could that sheath possibly serve?

How to Grow and Care for Rubber Tree Plants

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of Ficus elastica aka rubber tree plant.

Rubber tree is often chosen as a houseplant, with its structured branches, colorful varieties, and big, glossy leaves lending interest to modern decor. This tropical tree can reach towering heights of over 100 feet in the wild, but with a little pruning and some mottled sunlight, these robust plants can thrive indoors.