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chinese rubber plant

Searching for the Chinese rubber plant? This popular houseplant, known for its attractive glossy foliage and easy-care nature, is a favourite among Kiwi gardeners and indoor plant enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re looking to fill a bright spot in your home, refresh an office, or simply enjoy verdant greenery with minimal maintenance, the Chinese rubber plant is a versatile pick. In New Zealand nurseries, you’ll often see Chinese rubber plant grouped with other indoor varieties of Ficus elastica—each offering unique leaf colour and growth habits.

Ficus Black Knight growing in a pot with lush, dark foliage.

Ficus 'Black Knight'

Ficus ‘Black Knight’ is a striking indoor plant characterised by its large, glossy leaves, which range from deep green to nearly black tones. This bold rubber plant adds a dramatic, modern touch to interior spaces and thrives in bright, indirect light. It’s low-maintenance, air-purifying, and well-suited to homes and offices alike.

From $99.52

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Tropical
Ficus elastica 'Melany' plant in a pot.

Ficus elastica 'Melany'

Ficus Melany is a compact glossy leaved rubber plant known for its deep green foliage and upright form. Ideal for NZ homes and offices it adds structure and modern character to interior spaces. With thick durable leaves and year round colour it thrives in bright filtered light and handles lower light better than many indoor plants.

From $33.05

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Tropical
Ficus elastica 'Ruby' plants with colourful foliage.
Ficus 'Ruby'

Ficus 'Ruby' is a popular indoor plant owing to its amazing, tri-coloured foliage. The large, glossy leaves are variegated with dark red, pink, and...

From$37.19
Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' variegated foliage.
Ficus benjamina 'Starlight'

Ficus benjamina ‘Starlight’ is a striking indoor plant admired for its glossy green leaves edged in creamy white. This variegated form of the popular...

From$30.29
Ficus pumila 'Ice Caps' plant with trailling variegated foliage.
Ficus 'Ice Caps'

Ficus 'Ice Caps' is a variety of Creeping Fig that features variegated leaves. It carries small, heart-shaped leaves which are light green with a...

From$9.95
Stromanthe triostar plant.
Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

From$33.05
Ficus benjamina 'variegata' foliage.
Ficus benjamina variegata

Ficus benjamina 'Variegata' is a popular indoor plant owing to its colourful foliage. It has a short trunk that supports a dense canopy of dark green...

From$30.29
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$225.86
Ficus benjamina plant in black pot with lush green leaves
Ficus benjamina

Ficus benjamina, known as the Weeping Fig, is a popular indoor plant in New Zealand, prized for its elegant, arching branches and glossy green...

From$30.29
A well trimmed Ficus Tuffy hedge with lush green foliage.
Ficus Tuffi

Ficus 'Tuffi', also known as Ficus Tuffy, is a dense, upright evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for hedging and screening. It features glossy...

From$12.95
A Ficus hillii (Evergreen Fig) specimen tree with lush, green foliage.
Ficus Hillii (Australian Banyan)

Ficus hillii (Evergreen Fig, Hill's Fig) is a fast growing evergreen tree valued for its dense glossy green foliage and excellent screening ability...

From$12.95
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Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
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1.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$27.36
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3.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$48.96
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10 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$5.76
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0.51 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$23.04
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2.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$37.44
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5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$79.20
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Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

From$8.64
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Native Plant Fertiliser (Native Fertiliser)

Selecting the correct native plant fertiliser is essential as they often tend to be slow growing and so require a tailored nutrient plan to meet...

From$13.40
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Indoor Plant Fertiliser Tablets

Indoor plants require feeding from the time you get them home as nurseries typically only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last 4-8 weeks after...

From$36.00
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Indoor Plant Fertiliser

All potted plants require indoor plant fertiliser. This is particularly important as many nurseries only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last...

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Moss pole for plants.
Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

From$6.90
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Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

From$19.50
White waterproof paper plant tags for sale.
Waterproof Paper Plant Tags

These industry standard labels are made from plastic infused paper which makes them both tough and waterproof. They are widely used across the...

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Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$21.39
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Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

From$44.09
A large Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) in a garden with lush, green leaves.
Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese or Fruit Salad Plant, is a popular indoor tropical plant loved for its striking, holey leaves and...

From$44.09
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
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Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
A Spearmint plant with lush, green leaves.
Mint Plant

Mint Plant (Spearmint) is a popular herb grown for its fresh fragrant leaves and versatile use in cooking drinks and home remedies. Well suited to...

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Ficus 'Black Knight'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Ficus, and Stromanthe, or related Categories - Spades, Indoor Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs. Alternatively, forage through similar ideas like large indoor rubber plant, and rubber plant auckland.

Search ficus rubber plant

What is the Chinese Rubber Plant?

The Chinese rubber plant, typically classified as Ficus elastica, is native to Southeast Asia. Its thick, leathery leaves can range from deep green to variegated or even burgundy, depending on the cultivar. This plant is prized for its tolerance to low light, sturdy upright stems, and minimal watering needs—making it especially suitable for beginners and those with busy schedules.

If you’re searching for specific cultivars related to the Chinese rubber plant, consider exploring these varieties:

Growing and Caring for Chinese Rubber Plant

The Chinese rubber plant truly thrives in well-lit spaces away from direct, harsh sunlight. It prefers moderate watering; allow the top few centimetres of soil to dry out between waterings. Occasional misting can help keep its leaves clean and promote humidity, especially during New Zealand’s drier months.

Repotting is recommended every couple of years, allowing the plant room to grow. Feed your Chinese rubber plant with a balanced indoor plant fertiliser during spring and summer for optimal leaf development. With the right care, these plants can grow into impressive statement pieces—sometimes reaching several metres indoors.

Uses and Benefits of Chinese Rubber Plant

Besides its decorative charm, the Chinese rubber plant is celebrated for improving indoor air quality by filtering pollutants. Its upright growth makes it ideal for creating green partitions, placing in corners, or adding height to plant displays. Because it’s non-demanding, it fits seamlessly into home, office, and even hospitality settings.

Many gardeners mix and match these rubber plant varieties for tailored visual impact, combining the classic look of Ficus robusta with the bold hues of Ficus Black Knight or the rare variegation of Ficus Shivereana.

Explore our selection of Chinese rubber plant varieties and bring new life to your indoor spaces. Whether you’re hunting for a lush classic or a rare cultivar, New Zealand nurseries have the ideal rubber plant for your needs.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
It’s easy to fall for Rhododendron 'Black Magic' and Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile), but Iris Rose Queen (Japanese Water Iris), Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy', and Rosmarinus 'Mozart' offer a different kind of delight.
–The Plant Company

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