The Rubber Tree (botanical name: *Ficus elastica*) is a total classic for a reason—it’s gorgeous and surprisingly easy to care for. Since these beauties can’t handle a chilly winter, we usually keep them as houseplants. But I get asked all the time: “Can my Rubber Tree spend some time outside during the summer?”
Temperature Needs
Rubber Trees absolutely love bright light and warmth. What they *don’t* love? The cold. In fact, *Ficus elastica* is a bit of a drama queen when it comes to drafts. Even in a heated room, a steady stream of cold air in the winter can cause those dreaded brown leaves.
The sweet spot for a Rubber Tree is between 60°F and 70°F (15-20°C). They’re much happier in the heat than in the cold; once temperatures dip toward 50°F (10°C), the plant starts to struggle.
Outdoor Season
Even though they’re sensitive to the cold, there’s no reason your Rubber Tree can’t enjoy a summer vacation on the patio! In fact, they usually love getting some unfiltered sunlight and fresh air.
When to Move It Outside
You can usually move your Rubber Tree outdoors in mid-May, once the threat of frost has passed. A good rule of thumb is to wait until nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F (10°C). If you live in a higher elevation or a cooler climate, you might need to wait a little longer to be safe.
When to Bring It Back In
Generally speaking, you’ll want to bring your plant back inside by September. However, the calendar is just a rough guide—the real deciding factor is the temperature.
Keep a close eye on the forecast. Once those nighttime lows start hovering around 50°F (10°C) for more than a night or two, it’s time to move back indoors. You definitely don’t want your plant to be caught off guard by a surprise early frost!
If the days are still nice and warm but the nights are getting chilly, you can try the “commuter” method for a short time:
- Set it outside during the day.
- Bring it back inside in the evening.
Just a heads-up: don’t keep this up until November. Rubber Trees like stability, and moving them back and forth every day can eventually stress them out.
