Ficus elastica
Rubber plants have thick, waxy leaves and sturdy stems. They drop their lower leaves when overwatered, which is the signal most owners misread as thirst.
Short answer: for a rubber plant (also called a rubber tree), with the starting settings below (an 8 inch pot with a drainage hole), check the soil about every 7 to 11 days in spring and summer and every 11 to 16 days in winter, and water when the top inch of soil is dry. Give it a full drink until water runs out the bottom.
Your answer
Water when the soil reaches this point
How it shifts through the year
Water slowly until water runs out the drainage holes, then empty the saucer within an hour. The right amount depends on pot size, so go by drainage and how dry the soil is, not a fixed measure. Overwatering is the usual cause of dropped lower leaves, so make sure the pot drains fully.
Usually, yes. Both names refer to Ficus elastica, so the watering advice on this page applies to a rubber tree too.
Overwatering is a leading cause, along with sudden changes in light or temperature. Check the soil and the roots before changing anything else.
Check every week or two and water when the top inch or two is dry. The interval grows in winter.
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Related guides
Estimates use rules of thumb. Always confirm with your finger: push it about an inch into the soil before you water.