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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.

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. Ficus ‘Black Knight’ grows upright and can reach over a metre tall indoors, making it an excellent choice for statement pots and stylish interiors.

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 '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.

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
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.
Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

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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...

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Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

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...

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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...

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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...

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Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

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Ace1 Planting Spade

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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...

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Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig) growing on a stone wall with colourful foliage.
Ficus pumila

Ficus pumila, commonly known as Creeping Fig or Climbing Ficus, is a vigorous, evergreen climber popular in New Zealand for covering walls, fences...

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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...

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Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

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Mesembryanthemum Purple Splendour

“Purple Splendour” is a variety of the commonly known, Iceplant, and is an herbaceous perennial grown for its spreading nature and pretty flowers. It...

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Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

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Bougainvillea 'Purple Patch' purple-pink flowers and variegated foliage.
Bougainvillea 'Purple Patch'

Bougainvillea ‘Purple Patch’ is a dazzling climbing plant that delivers an abundance of rich purple bracts through the warmer months. Perfect for...

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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...

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Fraxinus Purple Spire

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire' is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its upright narrow habit and outstanding autumn foliage that develops rich purple...

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Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'

The Purple Fountain beech is a variety of European Beech tree that features colourful foliage and weeping branches. The glossy leaves emerge deep...

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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...

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Aechmea fasciata (Urn Plant)

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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...

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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...

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Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' flower cluster.
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Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' is a stunning evergreen climber prized for its thick glossy foliage and clusters of richly coloured star shaped flowers...

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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...

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5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

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Ficus 'Black Knight'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Chlorophytum, and Dodonaea, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search ficus rubber plant purple

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:

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:

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.

You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Gardenia radicans and Lomandra 'Tanika', but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Azalea 'Guanda Pink', Rhipsalis paradoxa (Mistletoe Cactus), and Wisteria Lipstick?
–The Plant Company

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