All three plants—Ruby, Tineke, and Burgundy—are cultivated varieties (cultivars) of the same species, Ficus elastica. Commonly known as the rubber tree or rubber fig, the species is native to eastern parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. This shared lineage means their fundamental growth habits, light requirements, and care needs are very similar. They are all evergreen trees that, in their native habitat, can grow to immense heights, but as houseplants, their growth is contained by their pot size. The primary differences between them are not biological but rather aesthetic, stemming from selective breeding for specific leaf coloration and patterns.
This is the most distinguishing feature between the three cultivars. The standard Ficus elastica has solid, deep green leaves. The Burgundy rubber plant is a selection that intensifies the natural pigments within the leaf, resulting in a uniform, glossy, deep burgundy or almost blackish-green hue. There is no variegation; the color is solid across the entire leaf surface.
In contrast, both the Tineke and Ruby are variegated cultivars. The Tineke features a stunning pattern of dark green, creamy white, and subtle shades of pink along the veins and at the margins of new growth. The Ruby cultivar, however, is defined by its much more prominent and vibrant pink or red variegation. The patches of color on a Ruby are larger and more intense, often appearing as a bold splash of pink, cream, and green, making it the most colorful of the three.
Due to their differing pigmentations, their light needs vary slightly to maintain their unique appearances. The Burgundy variety, with its high concentration of dark anthocyanin pigments, is more tolerant of lower light conditions than its variegated cousins. However, it will still thrive best in bright, indirect light.
The Tineke and Ruby, because large portions of their leaves are white or pink (lacking the green chlorophyll necessary for photosynthesis), require significantly more bright, indirect light to produce energy and sustain their growth. Insufficient light will cause these plants to revert, meaning they will produce more solid green leaves to maximize energy production. The Ruby, in particular, needs ample light to develop and maintain its signature bright pink coloration, which can fade to a more cream color in low light.
Generally, plants with more green chlorophyll grow more vigorously. Consequently, the non-variegated Burgundy rubber plant often exhibits a slightly faster and more robust growth rate compared to the Tineke and Ruby. The variegated cultivars invest energy in producing leaves with less efficient photosynthetic tissue, which can slow their overall growth. Among the variegated types, the Tineke, which typically has a higher proportion of green on its leaves than the Ruby, may grow at a marginally quicker pace. All three, however, are considered moderately fast-growing houseplants when provided with their ideal conditions.
