'Ruby' rubber plant guide
Ficus elastica 'Ruby', also called pink rubber plant, 'Ruby Pink', 'Belize'
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- 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 'Ruby' rubber plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the rubber plant care guide.
What it is
‘Ruby’ is a variegated rubber plant with green, cream, and bright pink leaves. The pink shows in the cream parts and on the stems and midribs. Newer leaves show the most pink. It is sometimes sold as ‘Ruby Pink’ or ‘Belize’.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Ruby’ | Green, cream, and bright pink | Pink blush through the cream |
| ‘Tineke’ rubber plant | Green and cream | Little or no pink in the cream |
| ‘Burgundy’ rubber plant | Near-black | No cream or pink |
Care differences
Light brings out the pink. Bright indirect light with some morning sun keeps the color strong. In low light, the pink fades and the plant looks like a ‘Tineke’.
It grows slower than a green rubber plant.
Reverting
If a branch grows all-green leaves, prune it back to a variegated leaf.
Grow it from a cutting
Take a tip cutting from a well-colored stem in spring. Root it in water or moist mix. Roots take four to six weeks.
Buying it
‘Ruby’ is common at garden centers. Look for pink on the newest leaves. A pale plant has been in low light, and the pink will come back with more light.