'Tineke' rubber plant guide

Ficus elastica 'Tineke', also called variegated rubber plant, Tineke ficus

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: 1.2 to 3 m (4 to 10 ft) tall indoors
Propagation: Stem cuttings in water, or air layering
Where to buy: Common

This page covers what makes 'Tineke' rubber plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the rubber plant care guide.

What it is

‘Tineke’ is a variegated rubber plant. Its glossy, oval leaves have a dark green center, a gray-green middle, and wide cream edges. New leaves unfurl from a pink sheath. The midrib is often pink too. Select-A-Plant lists it at 1.2 to 3 m (4 to 10 ft) tall.

How to tell it apart

Plant	Leaves	The tell
‘Tineke’	Green and cream, little or no pink	Cream edges, pink only on the midrib and sheath
‘Ruby’ rubber plant	Green, cream, and bright pink	Strong pink blush in the cream
‘Shivereana’ rubber plant	Lime and pale green speckles	Speckled all over, not edged

Care differences

The cream edges need bright indirect light. In low light, new leaves come in greener with thinner edges. Some morning sun deepens the pink on the midrib.

It grows a bit slower than a green rubber plant.

Reverting

If a branch grows all-green leaves, prune it back to the last variegated leaf. Keep it bright.

Grow it from a cutting

Take a tip cutting in spring. Let the milky sap stop, then root it in water or moist mix. Roots take four to six weeks. Air layering works well too.

Buying it

‘Tineke’ is common at garden centers and big box stores. Look for wide cream edges and no brown spots on the pale parts.