Why do rubber trees grow in tropical areas?

Rubber trees grow in tropical environments because the species thrives in wet, warm places. They are native to tropical regions of South America and also grow well in Southeast Asia and West Africa, where they are grown commercially.

Rubber trees grow best in areas with bright sunshine. Their ideal climate sees lows between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit and highs between 75 and 80 F, which is very typical of tropical rainforests. In such climates, rubber trees can grow very rapidly. Although rubber trees can make good houseplants in cooler climates, they do not tolerate frost very well. Sudden changes in temperature can cause the leaves of the rubber tree to droop, another reason they do best in tropical regions.