Small pale leaves, poor new growth, leaning or stretched growth can fit too little light. Bleached or scorched foliage after strong exposure fits too much direct sun. Variegated pattern may fade in low light. Check water, roots, temperature and pests as well.
Light needs for Ficus elastica
Put Ficus elastica in bright filtered or indirect light, then soften hot afternoon sun. Variegated forms need more light than green ones.
Plant coveredFicus elasticaRubber plant · indoor container
Check the light reaching the leaves
Best position and light
Use bright filtered or indirect light indoors. Protect Ficus elastica from hot afternoon sun and watch for scorch after any move.
Choose a stable bright place near a suitable window and soften intense sun. Variegated forms need more light than green-leaved forms. Do not keep moving the plant while adjusting it.
Recheck the same position through the year
Seasonal light changes
Keep bright filtered light through the year and reassess the window or supplemental setup when winter daylight falls. That does not create a winter low-light rule.
Inspect the plant before moving it
Signs the light may be wrong
Some light thresholds remain unknown
Limits of this light guide
Sources
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Plants of the World OnlineTaxonomy; accepted name
- Royal Horticultural SocietyPosition; cultivation; houseplant use
- Royal Horticultural SocietyPlanting; bright indirect light; variegated plants; problems
- North Carolina State University Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxDescription; culture; light; temperature and drafts
- Clemson University Cooperative ExtensionCulture; light; problems