It's hard to tell from the photo, but from the description, it sounds like dog vomit fungus, which is not caused by dogs or by vomit, it just looks like it. Search the forums for the many posts about it. It probably came with your mulch, and is harmless.

Hi! I also agree! Thank you for your help. I checked out pix on the web.... and I believe you both re 100% right! I just need to figure out if it will survive the winter here.... one site said that it would... it would just die back to the ground and then come back next year.... and another said that it would just up and die period. Will continue to research.... have a while before it will get chilly enough to worry about it... and I will keep it in the pot until I know for sure! Thanks again!

What makes it ugly is how the gravel looks blemished --- patches of this and that, grass, weeds, dead stuff, leaves, different levels. But paving/decking might be tricky if there is solid rock just below. One would really need to know its extent in order to know what is possible. This does not really look like an area for lawn grass. If you'd clean up the gravel so it is all one thing it would be better looking. If what grass we see in picture is all there is, it would probably be better to get rid of it and plant groundcover instead. In landscaping, there is no such thing as no maintenance. Everything (except solid concrete everywhere) needs some kind of maintenance. Plants need care especially while they are establishing.

Oops, there goes another rubber...oops there goes...another rubber tree plant! In addition to the identification, let's try to get you some help, which has been short in supply from the above posters--no real fault of theirs, it's an ID thread. Yeah, it looks like a bit more light might be helpful. Not too much, rubber trees are really capable of tolerating low light, and you don't want to suddenly shock it, but bring it up to some brighter light, then brighter again. It should improve. They do like bright light, but not direct sun. My mother kept one alive in deep shade and barely indirect light, but...well, that plant wasn't what I'd call happy. Most of them are a bit more hoggy for soil space than a cup, so that cup won't do for long, and I don't think that has a bottom drain in it either? You'll want a nice, light well-draining mix of soil with a drain at the bottom. They hate sitting in water, so a drainless cup is a bad idea. Here's two great articles for you to start with that'll help you out: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/rubber-plant-our-best-tips-for-growing-and-care-237390 https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/rubber-tree/how-to-care-for-a-rubber-tree-plant.htm The second is more basic, but I like the first. :-) Although they can get fifty feet tall, you may certainly prune the thing regularly to limit height. My mother's? It never needed that as it never lived long enough. :-) I hope that helps past just the simple ID.