WillC said:Variegated plants need more, not less light than their all-green counterparts.
This is true. but when it comes to direct sun and rubber tree plants. As I said, burgundy ones can take a couple hours of direct sun. They might be little lighter and not as dark depending on how much. But they will grow great. But The variegated ones will actually lose their variegation or burn in direct sun like pictures shown above. This is from personal experience.
Just so you don't think I'm crazy. Search "How to Care For Rubber Plant [Ficus Elastica] | Houseplant Care Tips" by crazy plant guy on youtube. In his video he says the Ruby Variegated is ok for a some direct sun, but the "teneke" variagated one he keeps shaded cause it burns. All too often in pictures and videos too I see them with brown edges. Thats not from watering or soil, its from too much sun.
Even if you look closely at his ruby one, a couple of the lower leaves that are lighter like the teneke leaves have very slim burnt edges.
I keep mine in filtered light south window. Burgundy in unfiltered west window with couple hours of direct sun. (but shaded from backyard trees) Very few plants besides succulents I would keep direct sun all day. I do have a yucca that is ok in multiple hours of direct sun, only the tips get burnt, but thats about it.
Never keep a plant in direct sun for more then a couple hours period imo.
