Plant guide
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Rubber plant is considered toxic to cats. Its sap can irritate the mouth and skin, and eating it may cause drooling, vomiting or diarrhea. This guide covers Ficus elastica, not the non-toxic baby rubber plant. Contact your veterinarian after a suspected exposure.
What this guide covers: This guide covers Ficus elastica. Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) is a different species with a separate guide.
Photo:
Photo details
Ficus November 2008-1.jpg
By Alvesgaspar (talk)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
Ficus November 2008-1.jpg
By Alvesgaspar (talk)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Burgundy rubber plant
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Keep away from cats. We do not recommend this plant for a home where cats could reach it.
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Look for Ficus elastica and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Ficus elastica
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Moraceae
- Also known as
- Indian Rubber Plant
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How to grow this plant
Container growing guidance for Ficus elastica.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Use bright, indirect light indoors; protect from strong afternoon sun. Lower light is tolerated, but bright light is preferred.
Tolerates lower light; growth or flowering may be reduced. - Watering
- Let the mix partly dry
Let the mix dry slightly to the touch between thorough waterings. Empty any excess water from the saucer; yellowing leaves with wet mix can indicate overwatering.
- Temperature
- Daytime: 75–80°F / 24–27°C
Preferred conditions are 75–80°F (24–27°C) by day and 60–65°F (16–18°C) at night. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature drops; these are growing preferences, not survival limits.
- Humidity
- Typical indoor humidity
Moderate indoor humidity is suitable.
- Potting
- Use a well-drained, soil-based container mix.
- Through the year
- Water less in winter. Clean dusty leaves and prune if a bushier shape is wanted.
Growing-guide sources
- ficus elastica - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
Care guidance for the named taxon; indoor recommendations take precedence over outdoor hardiness information.
- Rubber Plant ↗Clemson Cooperative Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
Indoor growing guidance for the named taxon; outdoor hardiness is not used as an indoor growing range.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-11-01. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Mouth irritation; Drooling; Vomiting; Diarrhea; Skin irritation
- Severity
- Severity not established
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
Photo:
Photo details
Peperomia obtusifolia (baby rubber plant) 3.jpg
By James St. John
_3.jpg){kind=link}
License: CC BY 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Baby Rubber Plant
Peperomia obtusifolia
Bright indirect light
Temperature range not yet established
Peperomia obtusifolia only. A plant labelled just rubber plant is not enough to confirm this identity; Ficus plants are outside this guide.
For glossy leaves on a smaller plant, consider Peperomia obtusifolia. Baby rubber plant stays much smaller and is not a Ficus.
Sources & review
- Ficus poisoning in cats ↗Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire Frégis · Accessed
Safety last reviewed .