Congo rubber Plant Care
Landolphia axillaris Pichon
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Landolphia axillaris is a stunning tropical vine known for its glossy dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers. This plant is native to the rainforests of Central Africa and is prized by plant enthusiasts for its ability to produce high-quality latex used in rubber production.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Congo rubber?
Water Congo rubber every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Congo rubber?
Congo rubber (Landolphia axillaris) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Landolphia genus. Congo rubber is native to Central Africa. Congo rubber is also known as wild rubber vine.
Congo rubber displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Congo rubber produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Congo rubber?
Landolphia axillaris requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Congo rubber Need?
Congo rubber thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Congo rubber in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Congo rubber Prefer?
Landolphia axillaris grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Congo rubber prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Congo rubber?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Congo rubber to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Congo rubber?
Feed Congo rubber every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Congo rubber?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Congo rubber?
Congo rubber can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wild rubber vine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Congo rubber Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Congo rubber?
Congo rubber is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Congo rubber Need?
Congo rubber grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Congo rubber is native to Central Africa. In cooler regions, grow Congo rubber as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 11a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Congo rubber is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Landolphia genus — compare its care with other Landolphia species on PlantoScan.
Landolphia is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Congo rubber thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Landolphia axillaris Pichon, family Apocynaceae (first published in Mém. Inst. Franç. Afrique Noire 35: 46 (1953)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Congo rubber is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 11a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Congo rubber Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species