'Robusta' rubber plant guide
Ficus elastica 'Robusta', also called green rubber plant, rubber tree
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Medium
- Water
- When the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine
- Temperature
- 16 to 27°C (60 to 80°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Well-draining houseplant mix with perlite
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertilizer, monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap irritates the mouth, stomach, and skin.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) tall indoors
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings in water, or air layering
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes 'Robusta' rubber plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the rubber plant care guide.
What it is
‘Robusta’ is the plain green rubber plant. Its leaves are large, broad, glossy, and deep green. It grows fast and is the toughest rubber plant. It is often sold as a tall floor plant.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Robusta’ | Large, broad, deep green | Plain green, the biggest leaves |
| ‘Decora’ | Smaller, dark green, red sheath | Narrower leaves and a red sheath |
| ‘Burgundy’ rubber plant | Near-black | Dark burgundy color |
Care differences
‘Robusta’ handles medium light better than any other rubber plant. It grows faster too, so it may need pruning to control height. Cut above a leaf in spring. New branches grow below the cut.
Grow it from a cutting
Take a tip cutting in spring. Root it in water or moist mix. Roots take three to five weeks. Air layering works well on tall plants.
Buying it
‘Robusta’ is common at garden centers and big box stores. Look for leaves down to the base of the stem. Bare lower stems mean it lost leaves from a move or low light.