African Rubber Vine Plant Care
Landolphia owariensis P.Beauv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is known for its stunning glossy, dark green leaves that have a unique wavy shape. Originally from West Africa, Landolphia owariensis is highly sought after by plant collectors for its rare beauty and ability to thrive in tropical climates. Its striking foliage adds a touch of exotic elegance to any indoor or outdoor garden.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for African Rubber Vine?
Water African Rubber Vine 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.
Where Is the African Rubber Vine Native To?
- Angola
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the African Rubber Vine?
African Rubber Vine (Landolphia owariensis) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Landolphia genus. African Rubber Vine is native to tropical Africa. African Rubber Vine is also known as West African Rubber Vine.
African Rubber Vine displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. African Rubber Vine produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a African Rubber Vine?
Landolphia owariensis 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 African Rubber Vine Need?
African Rubber Vine thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing African Rubber Vine in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the African Rubber Vine Prefer?
Landolphia owariensis grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. African Rubber Vine 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 African Rubber Vine?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for African Rubber Vine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a African Rubber Vine?
Feed African Rubber Vine 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 African Rubber Vine?
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 African Rubber Vine?
African Rubber Vine 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 African Rubber Vine 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 African Rubber Vine?
African Rubber Vine 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 African Rubber Vine Need?
African Rubber Vine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. African Rubber Vine is native to tropical Africa. In cooler regions, grow African Rubber Vine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
African Rubber Vine 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.
African Rubber Vine 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 owariensis P.Beauv., family Apocynaceae (first published in Fl. Oware 1: 54 (1806)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: African Rubber Vine 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 10b – 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.
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