Burgundy Rubber Plant – Desert Horizon Nursery

Burgundy Rubber Plant

Ficus elastica 'Burgundy'
Categories:
Interior Plants  ·  
Houseplants
Light
Partial shade
Water
Water thoroughly when the top 2–3 inches of potting mix feel dry, then let excess water drain. Check frequently during hot weather and reduce watering in winter; never leave pots standing in water.
Size
6-10 ft tall × 3-5 ft wide
Habit
Upright tree – single-trunk
Toxicity
Toxic — Pets & Humans
Description
A tropical evergreen with large, thick, glossy leaves in deep burgundy-green to nearly black tones. Best grown indoors or in movable containers in Phoenix; not reliably winter-hardy outdoors in Zone 9b.
Bloom Time
Non-flowering (grown for foliage)
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Architectural Form, Colorful Foliage
Growth Rate
Moderate
Growth Habit
Upright tree – single-trunk
Mature Size
6-10 ft tall × 3-5 ft wide
Flower Color
None (grown for foliage)
Foliage Color
Deep burgundy to near-black
Landscape Use
Container / Patio, Indoor / Houseplant, Specimen / Accent
Garden Style
Shade / Indoor
Soil
Amended / Rich, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Aglaonema, Lady palm, Pothos
Toxic — Pets & Humans
Toxic to pets & humans if ingested; milky sap irritates skin and eyes
Care Instructions

Light: Bright, indirect light or filtered outdoor shade. Protect from intense Phoenix afternoon sun and reflected heat; acclimate gradually to gentle morning sun.

Water: Water thoroughly when the top 2–3 inches of potting mix feel dry, then let excess water drain. Check frequently during hot weather and reduce watering in winter; never leave pots standing in water.

Soil: Well-drained, aerated potting mix amended with perlite or fine orchid bark. Avoid heavy soil and containers without drainage holes.

Mature size: Typically 6–10 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide indoors, depending on pruning and container size. Can become a much larger tree in frost-free climates.

Bloom: Rarely flowers indoors or in containers; grown primarily for foliage rather than blooms.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; may drop leaves following cold exposure, watering stress, or abrupt environmental changes.

Growth rate: Moderate to fast with warmth and bright indirect light; slower in low light or winter.