Rubber plant care: light, water, and pet safety

Ficus elastica

Care table

Light	Medium light to some direct sun. Bright indirect light. Some direct morning sun is fine.
Water	Water when the top inch dries. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Humidity	Average room air is fine
Repotting	Spring to early summer, when roots circle the pot or grow out the drainage hole. Go up 1 to 2 inches in pot width.

Winter care

Growth slows. Let the soil dry a little further between waterings, stop fertilizer until spring, and keep it away from cold drafts and heat vents.

Pet safety

Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Weeping Fig (Ficus sp.) ASPCA lists Ficus species as toxic. The milky sap irritates mouth and skin.

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Yellow lower leaves, soggy soil: Watering before the soil dried, or a pot with no drainage.
Leaf drop: Cold drafts or a sudden drop in light.
Long bare stems, small leaves: Not enough light.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool