Ficus elastica, also known as the rubber plant, is an unusual-looking varietal native to the tropics of Southeast Asia. It boasts oversized, oval-shaped leaves that are a rich emerald hue, and can grow quickly, reaching up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat. However, it's more often grown indoors as a houseplant, where it can be planted and cared for year-round and its size kept more manageable.

When it comes to caring for a rubber plant, your job is pretty straight-forward. Simply give it enough light, water, and warmth and you'll be rewarded with an exotic addition to your indoor plant collection. They can tolerate soft morning sunlight but should be moved out of the line of harsh direct rays in the afternoon as they can singe the leaves. Plants that do not receive sufficient light will become leggy, lose their lower leaves, and their leaf color will become dull instead of glossy and vibrant. 

Water your rubber plant frequently—they like to be kept steadily moist but not soaked. Rubber plants also are vulnerable to excessive dryness and don't tolerate drought well. To check if its time for another watering, check the moisture levels in the first few inches of soil—if they're dry and crumbly, it's time to water your plant again. Feed the plant fertilisers throughout the growing season. They are relatively heavy feeders when healthy.