Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

purple rubber plant

The purple rubber plant has become a top pick for New Zealanders looking to add bold, dramatic foliage to their indoor gardens. Valued for its lush, glossy leaves tinged with deep purple or burgundy hues, this eye-catching plant brings a pop of sophisticated colour and easy-care style to homes, offices, and commercial spaces. Whether you’re already a houseplant enthusiast or just beginning your journey, the purple rubber plant is perfect for creating a striking focal point indoors while thriving with minimal fuss.

Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)

Leptinella pusilla, commonly known as the Purple Brass Buttons plant, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and somewhat fleshy plant bearing small, purple-green, fern-like leaves. Small, yellow flowers are borne through spring and summer amidst the foliage. It typically grows to 10 cm tall and 70 cm wide. Leptinella pusilla is a great plant to use as a low groundcover, for planting between rocks and pavers, using in tropical gardens, or planting around pool areas.

Buy Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)

From $18.23

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 10 cm

Spread: 70 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Rock, 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 cream, and are held off a solitary stem as it grows to 80 cm tall and 50 cm wide. Ficus 'Ruby' is commonly grown as a potted plant in offices and homes. In subtropical climates, it is often planted around pools and other outdoor living areas, maintained in a container, or included in tropical-themed gardens.

Buy Ficus 'Ruby'

From $36.38

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, Modern, Tropical

What Is a Purple Rubber Plant?

When people search for a purple rubber plant, they’re often seeking rubber trees (Ficus elastica varieties) with rich purplish tones. While there is no true “purple” species, striking cultivars display dramatic leaf colour. For example, the Ficus robusta is beloved for its oversized, glossy leaves with deep green and burgundy highlights. The Ficus 'Midnight Beauty' features intensely dark, almost black-purple foliage, making it a showstopper in modern interiors. If you love a splash of pink and cream with your purple, Ficus 'Ruby' is another unique rubber plant option.

Benefits of Owning a Purple Rubber Plant

The purple rubber plant isn’t just about good looks. Here’s why it’s a favourite in New Zealand households:

Air Purification: Like all rubber plants, purple-toned varieties help clean indoor air, filtering toxins for a fresher, healthier space.
Low Maintenance: These plants require only moderate watering and thrive in bright, indirect light—making them ideal for busy lives.
Fast Growing: Given the right conditions, rubber plants can grow quickly, adding height and drama to empty corners or unused spaces.
Versatility: They’re perfect for pots, feature planters, or as a bold backdrop to other houseplants.

Purple Plants for Gardeners Who Love Unique Foliage

If you’re drawn to purple foliage beyond the classic indoor rubber plant, New Zealand gardens offer more options. For outdoor garden beds and ground cover, Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons) brings carpet-like, purple-bronze foliage that’s tough and easy to grow. The striking Acaena purpurea (Piripiri) offers purple tints on fine-textured leaves, adding a unique hue to pathways, rockeries, or mixed borders.

How to Care for Your Purple Rubber Plant

Caring for a purple rubber plant is simple with a few tips:

Light: Place in bright, filtered light for the best colour, but protect from harsh midday sun, which can scorch leaves.
Water: Allow the top couple of centimetres of soil to dry out before watering again. Overwatering is the main cause of issues.
Humidity: While tolerant of regular household humidity, occasional misting keeps leaves healthy.
Feeding: Use a liquid fertiliser during the growing season (spring and summer) for lush, purple-tinged foliage.

The Final Word

Whether you choose a classic Ficus robusta, a bold Ficus 'Midnight Beauty', or a variegated Ficus 'Ruby', the purple rubber plant brings sophisticated colour and low-maintenance joy to Kiwi homes. For even more purple in your landscape, consider pairing your indoor beauties with Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons) or Acaena purpurea (Piripiri) outdoors. Your home and garden will thank you for it.

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.