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Ficus elastica
Caution🐾Gummibaum · (Ficus elastica)
Mulberry family (Moraceae)
Description
Large, glossy, leathery oval leaves with a distinctive red sheath protecting each new shoot make the rubber plant instantly recognisable, and its tolerance for shade and irregular watering has made it a mainstay houseplant. Its name comes from the milky latex once tapped commercially from the bark for rubber production and used in folk medicine externally on wounds. Studies on indoor air have measured the leaves taking up formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds, which is why it is often kept as a natural air freshener. The latex can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, so gloves are advisable when pruning, and it also contains furanocoumarins that can heighten skin's sensitivity to light. The plant is considered mildly toxic to cats and dogs, capable of causing gastrointestinal and skin irritation.
External use only!
This plant must NOT be taken internally. Use only as compress, salve, or bath.
Placed as a living houseplant, Ficus elastica demonstrably absorbs formaldehyde from indoor air. Wolverton's 1989 NASA study lists it as an effective air-purifying plant.
The large, glossy leaves release moisture through transpiration, thus improving the indoor climate in dry interiors.
In Southeast Asia, the milky sap of the rubber plant is traditionally applied externally to skin wounds and inflammatory skin conditions. Caution is advised due to the irritation potential of furanocoumarins.
Historically (19th century until early plantation agriculture), latex from Ficus elastica was harvested in India and Myanmar for rubber production, before Hevea brasiliensis became economically dominant. It is still occasionally used for small craft objects.
In addition to formaldehyde, Ficus species also reduce trichloroethylene and further volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indoors, according to supplementary studies.
⚠ External use only
Milky sap (latex) can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions — wear gloves when pruning. Furanocoumarins in the latex increase skin photosensitivity. Mildly toxic to cats and dogs (gastrointestinal irritation, skin irritation). ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats. The ASPCA classifies the whole genus this way.
Avoid contact with latex; internal use not indicated.
Avoid contact with latex; internal use not indicated.
Keep out of reach of small children — latex is irritating on skin contact or ingestion.
Contraindications
- Known latex allergy (cross-reaction with Hevea latex possible)
- Sensitive skin without protective gloves during care work
Harvested part: whole plant (decorative)
- Time of day:
- Morning (turgor pressure highest)
- Drying:
- For decorative purposes — not dried; for extraction at 30–40 °C in the shade.
- Time of day:
- Early morning (latex flow strongest before midday heat)
- Drying:
- Use latex fresh; coagulation by acetic acid or heat possible.
- Caoutchouc (Naturkautschuk / Natural rubber)OtherContent: ca. 5-10 % (Latex-Anteil)Bark
Main component of the milky sap; basis of historical rubber production from Ficus elastica.
- Furocumarine (Psoralen, Bergapten)OtherLeaf
Phototoxic compounds in the latex; can cause burns on skin contact followed by UV exposure.
- Triterpenoide (Friedelan-Typ)OtherLeaf
Typical triterpenes of Moraceae; anti-inflammatory properties are discussed.
- Flavonoide (Rutin, Quercetin-Derivate)FlavonoidLeaf
Antioxidant compounds in the leaves; typical for Moraceae species.
- Alkaloide (spp.-typisch, geringfügig)AlkaloidWhole plant
Low alkaloid content, as characteristic for Moraceae; toxicologically little relevant with normal houseplant use.
- Calciumoxalat-KristalleMineralLeaf
Microcrystals in leaves and sap; mechanically irritating to oral mucosa — partly responsible for mild toxicity in pets.
- [1]MonographWolverton BC (1989): Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement — NASA Technical Report(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [4]MonographPlants for a Future (PFAF): Ficus elastica(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [5]MonographRoyal Horticultural Society (RHS): Ficus elastica(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [6]MonographASPCA Animal Poison Control — Weeping Fig (Ficus sp.)(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [7]MonographCliniTox Giftpflanzen — Ficus elastica Roxb.: schwach giftig (+) (Institut für Veterinärpharmakologie und -toxikologie, Universität Zürich)(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [2]WikipediaFicus elastica (Wikipedia EN)(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [3]WikipediaGummibaum (Wikipedia DE)(accessed: 2026-05-24)
Distribution in Europe
🪴 Grow at home
- ☀ Light
- bright, indirect
- 💧 Water
- weekly
- 🌱 Soil
- Standard compost, well-draining
- 🪴 Pot
- 25 cm
- ⭐ Difficulty
- ★☆☆ beginner
- 🐾 Pets
- toxic to pets
Tips:
- Dust leaves regularly — otherwise photosynthesis suffers.
- Rotate for even growth, don't constantly relocate.
- Milky sap when cut — wash hands.
Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.