When the rubber tree (Ficus elastica) arrives, you have a number of options:
 
Make sure that your decorative pot has a few holes in it, or line the bottom with pot shards or a layer of hydrograins. Place the nursery pot with the rubber tree in this decorative pot and water immediately.
You can also place the plant in the decorative pot without the nursery pot. A pot with holes and a saucer placed under it is the preferred option. If you choose this option, put pot shards or a layer of hydrograins in the pot, top with fresh potting soil and position the root ball of the rubber tree at the right height. Fill the flower pot up with soil and pack it down firmly. Water generously immediately after planting.
You can also leave this indoor plant in its nursery pot and place it on a saucer.
Water immediately. Never leave water standing in the saucer longer than one day. Never let the rubber plant dry out.
Place the pot in a bright spot in your living room. Morning or evening sun is fine for the plant, but avoid the fierce midday sun.

The best spot for your large house plant

The ideal place for your rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is:
A spot that gets plenty of light but that is also somewhat shielded from the fiercest midday sunlight. The morning or evening sun is no problem at all and the plant will actually enjoy it! The ideal position can often be up to 3 metres from a window. As this plant can also tolerate shade, however, you can even stretch this distance to 6 metres.
Choose a warm spot, between 18 and 23°C — underfloor heating is ideal. Avoid spots above or directly next to central heating, as the warm air flow will dry the plant out more quickly, so its leaves may go brown. Even though this particular plant is less sensitive to dry air, aiming for an ideal environment is still best.

Water your fig tree (Ficus elastica) regularly - twice weekly in the summer, once weekly in the winter - keeping the root ball nice and moist. Do not allow the plant to stand in the water that drains off, for very long. Feed regularly during the growth period (once fortnightly with fertiliser for leafy plants).
This fig tree is not so sensitive to dry indoor air as others.
This plant can be pruned - remove bare twigs and branches. As long as it's in the right spot, this plant is sure to renew its leaves and branches.
 

Extra tips

This fig tree (Ficus elastica) will really appreciate being stood outdoors on a rainy, not too cold, day. It will noticeably perk up!
This plant loses its lower leaves naturally so if you see some of them turning yellow don't worry. As long as new leaves form, things are fine. Look after it well and your fig tree will stay looking healthy and keep growing.
 

Ficus elastica is a sturdy, easily grown house plant, also known as a Fig tree.
This particular fig originated in the tropical rain forests of SE Asia and Australia where they grow into huge trees, metres high. In the tropics they can be seen lining the roadsides and in public parks. Ficus elastica makes a popular house plant in temperate climes where it can grow as much as three metres. Pruning is possible of course.
The ficus is classified under Moraceae.