15 Varieties of Rubber Plants: Growing in and Outdoors

Varieties of rubber plants are the beautiful and shiny tree plants that can be grown both indoors and outdoors! Ficus Elastica is a plant from the rubber-producing tree family of Moraceae.

These adorable plants generally thrive on neglect and will do wonders to the air you place them in – they’re amazing air pollutant removal plants, and this is one of their biggest benefits.

Whether you like them somewhat smaller or with fatter or slimmer leaves, this list definitely has something for you.

List of Rubber Plants Varieties

1. Rubber Plant ‘Doescheri’

Doescheri is a variety of evergreen rubber plant that usually grows as a small tree with an upright growing habit. This indoor rubber plant is a great air purifier and looks great on its own, sitting in the corner or on an ornamental table! 

– Features

They are famous for their beautiful large, dark-green fatty leaves. These leaves are a beautiful patterned mix of green and white at the same time. Although they will thrive outdoors and in full sun, they won’t mind being brought inside and grown indoors, because they will still show you their beautiful foliage colors.

– Care Requirements

Ficus ‘Doescheri’ rubber fig can be grown outdoors in frost-free regions where nights don’t drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, they thrive when planted in fertile and moist soils that drain well, this is why you may even try out a soil mix of pine bark and pumice. However, the main problems with this plant would include mites and white flies.

– Propagation

Ficus Doescheri can be propagated by both air layering and by taking cuttings! Simply take a mature piece of foliage or hardened wood, and put in some rooting hormone. You should have a new seedling in a matter of weeks. 

2. Tineke Rubber Plant

If you really wish to make an impression with your ficus plant, this variegated rubber plant version is for you. Ficus Tineke is native to Asia, and sports reddish-pink outsides of its green and creamy leaves, with the very top of the plant being also reddish in color. 

– Cautiousness

This rubber plant variety will also be attractive to your house animals, so be careful to keep them away from playful kittens as they can get poisoned if they accidentally eat it, or even sometimes touching it would cause skin irritation, the same also goes for humans. 

– Care Requirements

Ficus Tineke is great to be grown outdoors, although you may want to grow them inside if you aren’t living in zones 10 to 12 of the USDA zones.

It enjoys partial sun and a well-drained potting mix, which should be slightly on the acidic side. In addition, you may water it once a week, and it will thrive very well with this amount. 

On another note, you must be careful because the main causes of diseases and overwatering can include leaf drops, insect larvae, and mites.

– Propagation and Problems

Ficus Tineke propagates easily with several methods. The best one is using cuttings from early stems around six inches long.

The cuttings should have some plant leaves to promote photosynthesis and root growth. You should always do your propagation in spring for the new cuttings to take before the cold season, so that it would produce new blooms. 

3. Black Prince Tree

The black prince tree is an outdoors-loving type of ficus tree, and the main reason for this is its height. This one usually grows up to 30 feet tall, but you can dwarf it and grow it as an indoor rubber plant just the same.

This plant has dark, long, and large leaves, making it one of the most beautiful plants on this list. This one is native to India, Africa, and Nepal, but has quickly won the hearts of many plant lovers worldwide.

– Care Requirements 

Black prince ficus loves bright light and will appreciate being placed outdoors in the summer. If you plan on indoor growing conditions, be careful not to keep it in temperatures lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. They enjoy being moderately watered – water them only when the topsoil becomes dry.

– Propagation and Problems

Just like other on this list, this ficus can be propagated by cuttings, although it will be best to probate with air layering – a somewhat advanced technique. Spider mites are a common pestilence on these trees.

4. Ruby Rubber Plant

The ruby plant is also known as a variegated rubber tree. The ruby fig plant is a tender ornamental bearing glossy ruby and green leaves. These rubber plants grow natively in India and Malaysia. 

– Features

When this plant is grown outdoors, it can sport beautiful small white flowers. The variegated foliage comes to shine when the tree is exposed to bright light. The tree also produces beautiful areal roots when mature.

– Care Requirements

Ruby rubber is easy to care for and will thrive on being neglected. It requires a very medium amount of light and will tolerate dry spells. If you plan to grow them outdoors, don’t do so unless you live in zones 10 to 11.

They enjoy being fertilized and repotted every three years to prevent root rot or to keep the roots happy so that they absorb proper amount of nutrients from the healthy roots. However, the main issues with this one are over or under-watering the plant.

– Propagation

Take a cutting of a stem around six inches long and trim the bottom of the stem. Dip the stem in the water overnight and plant in a standard potting mix. You can use a rooting hormone, although most ficus trees will root easily. 

5. Rubber Burgundy Tree

If you want a somewhat dramatic kick with your ficus plants, this variety is the one for you. It has thick, large, and glossy leaves and looks perfect standing in a well-lit corner of the room. 

– Cautiousness

The branches of this plant are thick and sturdy. Although it is a robust plant, the burgundy tree won’t tolerate being moved around a lot, as it likes to establish itself in a particular place. Any drastic movements can cause leaf drop. Its main issues include plant leaves fading from lack of light.

– Care Requirements

Although this rubber fig tree grows up to 100 feet in its habitat, it will gladly adapt to the warm and moist indoors. It won’t give you many problems, as you can leave it to dry before the next watering. Try to enable a room temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. 

– Propagation

Much like other rubber plant varieties, this ficus elastica tree can be propagated from both cuttings and air layers, and it will start blooming once the propagation system has worked swiftly.

6. Ficus Robusta

Almost the same as the burgundy tree variation, Ficus elastica robusta also produces dark green and oval shaped leaves, that would even grow up to 18 inches long. 

– Growing Indoors

If you grow a ficus robusta outside, it can grow tiny yellow and white blossoms, although it may do so indoors too. This one is famous as a small in-house ornamental plant.

– Care Requirements

Ficus elastica robusta rubber plants grow best in bright sunlight. You should be mindful to keep it out of the direct sun in the afternoon, though so that it doesn’t go through harsh burns. 

On the other hand, the soil mix should be able to retain moisture, but also be well-drained. In addition, this rubber plant will also love a winter spent in a cozy, warm room temperature. 

– Problems

Nonetheless, you must note that over-watering can be a problem for this one too, as it can lose leaves and even die. However, under watering symptoms can include deformed growth, leaves turning yellow plant leaves, and brown foliage, which is also an issue it would face. 

7. Lemon Lime Rubber

This is one of the gorgeous variegated rubber trees! It has oval leaves with splashes of neon green and is ideal for a forgetful beginner to grow. Also note that although it achieves maximum splendor being grown outside, this one develops into a beautiful room centerpiece.

– Care Requirements

Lemon lime rubber will enjoy full sun and high moisture environment. It loves being placed in fertile soil that drains well but releases moisture slowly.

The big leaves will appreciate being wiped with a damp cloth every week, which keeps them breathing, shiny, and luscious. However, the only known issues with this one include root rot and fungal issues that can come from overwatering. 

– Propagation 

The lemon-lime rubber tree plants propagate well by cuttings and placing them directly in the soil, and within a few days you may see a little bloom or a sprout coming out. 

8. Decora Rubber Tree

The Decora Rubber tree falls into evergreen rubber plant varieties of the ficus family with glossy, broad, and oval leaves with subtle green hues. The leaves have a characteristic white-red vein in the middle, and when it is grown outdoors, this tree can bear yellow fruit.

– Care Requirements

Decora trees will enjoy partial shade in the afternoon. It loves to sit in somewhat moist organic soil that drains well, so that water doesn’t sit on top of the soil for a prolonged period. You must try to repot it every few years to prevent the plant from becoming root bound. 

– Problems

The problems can include fungal issues, mites, and flies, in the long run, it would harm the plant, however, you can treat it with general liquid insecticide spray.

9. Abidjan Rubber Plant

The Abidjan rubber plant is a unique one on this list, as this tender tree has got shiny dark green leaves that have hues of purple, and oval and glossy foliage. 

– Care Requirements

They will thrive being grown as an indoor plant with a few hours of direct sunlight giving them full splendor. It too can produce oval fruits and white and yellow flowers any time of the year, although it will rarely do so when placed inside. 

Although you cannot provide this plant with full sun for a prolonged time because it can harm the leaves, a few hours in the high morning will do just fine. It likes to sit in a moist potting mix that drains well, so try going with a water tray – this way you can throw any water not soaked by the soil.

– Problems

Abidjan tree will, however, have its problems with pests and diseases – spider mites, armored and soft scale are commonplace on this one.

10. Variegated Rubber Tree

The variegated rubber plant is the best outdoor ficus variety you can find on this list. If you’re happy enough to be living in a warm enough climate, that is!

Nevertheless, this tree can be dwarfed too and grown indoors, making it a perfect decoration for doorways, and corners. It goes fairly well next to other plants too! Its’ spotted green and white leaves make it a unique house plant sight, ideal to be made into bonsai as well.

– Care Requirements

Variegated varieties of general have softer hues of green, so they will do best in a place with indirect sunlight, hence making them a great indoors plant. However, you must be very careful not to place them in the shade either. If they begin to drop leaves you should consider giving them more light.

– Problems

Scale insects and wholly aphids will generally be the likely occurrence on leaves—a mix of soap and water should be applied on leaves monthly, and it should be good to keep them healthy. 

11. Creeping Fig

This one is a vigorous grower with an incredible growth rate, although it is a rubber plant, but it’s a tinier one and more flat-looking! A creeping fig gets its name for being able to take over walls and places where it grows, so the beautiful leaves should be pruned often.

Nevertheless, this will create wonderful scenery wherever you decide to grow it. The creeping fig has oval, shiny, and heart-shaped leaves, adorable to look at.

– Care Requirements

The creeping fig will enjoy being in partial sunlight and well-drained potting soil that’s a little bit on the acidic side.

If you decide to grow outdoors, the climate is a factor for rubber plant care – creeping fig can overwinter successfully in zones nine to 11. Nonetheless, part of its care is pruning it often, so that it grows healthier.

– Propagation

This one can be easily propagated in the early spring. Take four to six inches long cuttings. Rather than being potted in a bigger pot, you can trim the roots freely and keep the plant in the same pot. This will enable the plant to stay small and won’t cause any roots to rot. 

– Problems

Aphids, mealybugs, scales, and white flies will spread on this one, so apply general insecticide every month of the growing season. 

12. Fiddle Leaf Fig

The fiddle leaf fig is an evergreen native to Africa. Also known as the Banjo tree, it is grown as an ornamental garden tree in warmer climates. It can be grown indoors as well, and with great success. However, its leaves are dark green, resembling the shape of a fiddle, that’s why it gets this name, in addition, it is so popular in every corner of the world.

– Care Requirements

These can be grown as indoor plants in a well-draining potting mix. Nonetheless, you must make sure that the mix has some organic soil in it, but you can generally make it drainable with the use of pumice.

It will enjoy full sun, but try to provide some shade in the afternoon, and don’t let the air humidity fall below 30 percent, because it needs proper moisture in the air to keep its leaves glossy.

On another note, these plants don’t have any serious issues with diseases, but can be prone to mites – especially if you grow other rubber varieties next to them. 

– Propagation

This house plant should be water-propagated. Take somewhat longer cuttings and leave only a single leaf. Place the cuttings in a vase with water until it begins to develop roots. Change the water if it appears murky. 

13. Weeping Fig

The weeping fig is also called the ficus Benjamina, and it is grown in tropical areas as a large ornamental rubber tree. This one is seen grown indoors in the west and colder climates, giving some green beauty to offices, and rooms, and is often used in landscaping. This one is famous for its long life, often reaching 40 to 50 years of age. 

– Care Requirements

Ficus Benjamina rubber plant care demands filtered sunlight in the afternoons. It would like to sit in richly fertilized potting soil which drains well. A great bonsai specimen, water only when the first few inches of soil become dry. 

– Propagation

The cuttings will likely take when placed in moist sphagnum moss, so avoid water or air propagation. 

– Problems

If your weeping fig begins with a leaf drop, or if there are leaves turning yellow, it may indicate an infestation. Although, this durable tree will show signs of distress only when it needs help, like it’s been attacked by a pest, or if it has been overwatered.

14. Green Island Ficus

Ficus Microcarpa or the green island ficus is the one house plant on this list you should try to grow as a bonsai! It has dark green, rounded and glossy leaves resembling those of a Jade plant. This is a tree that will love to show off its might by being dwarfed and sitting on a counter or an ornamental table.

– Care Requirements

The green island ficus will enjoy full sun and a well-drained potting mix. As the rubber trees tend to have a slow growth rate – growing to a maximum of 24 inches, which makes them the perfect plants to be placed in bonsai pots. As such, they would need to be replanted every other year, but other than that no serious maintenance is required.

– Propagation

When taking the cuttings of your green island fig, simply place them into a ready-made potting mix. Just be careful to cover them with a piece of plastic to keep the moisture inside until they develop roots or the fresh new leaves show. 

15. Banana Leaf Fig

This is a small fig plant variety often growing to 12 feet in height at the maximum. What makes this tree unique is its oval-shaped canopy with characteristic long light-green leaves. This funky-looking specimen will have a reddish hue when young but will turn completely green once it matures.

– Care Requirements

Banana leaf figs’ growing conditions should include a well-drained potting mix and a bit less organic material. Nevertheless, you should fertilize it fairly regularly, twice or three times a year. As with any other specimen on the list, it will do best in full sun. On another note, the most common pests for this tree are spider mites and mealy bugs. 

– Propagation

This fig can be easily propagated by cuttings. Just try to add a bit of rooting hormone at the place where you cut the stems to ensure they root well. The cuttings can be placed in water or a potting mix covered with a plastic lid. 

Conclusion

There are some beautiful rubber tree varieties you can plant both indoors and outdoors. 

• These lovely ornamental evergreens slowly crept into our hearts and are inevitable inside our homes whether you place them indoors or outdoors. 
• Almost every type of rubber tree plant family is an evergreen that you can enjoy looking at, developing year-round, and it is fairly easy to take care of them. 
• Most of them are perfect dwarf rubber trees you can grow indoors and even as bonsais, and you can pot them accordingly. 
• You can plant the Lemon Lime rubber if you are a beginner in keeping plants but wish to have a beautiful rubber plant, because it requires lower maintenance than the rest of the ones.

Whether you’re looking for soft hues of a decora, a long-leafed feature of a banana fig, or a luscious burgundy tree, this list has a perfect solution for you!