7” Ficus shivereana

Bios

Famous for having been the tree under which Buddha found enlightenment, a Ficus tree is a native of the tropics having been grown for their religious, and more recently decorative value. These extremely hardy and long-living trees fit perfectly in indoor settings and are the perfect specimens around which artists who create Bonsai love to work on. These adaptable plants are at ease, out in indoor settings and in the open garden – even though some varieties are known to grow wild and unruly outdoors.

Adopting and caring for a Ficus shivereana

Adopting: As with every plant look for healthy plants with well-formed leaves. An uncared rubber plant will be leggy, with a long naked stem that makes them ugly. We deliver happy, well-grown plants without any sign of stem damage. Look under its leaves for visible pest infestation

Locating: Strong, direct sunlight can bleach, even burn the leaves of a Ficus, so it is better to have them in shaded, lower light areas. If you are growing them indoors, or a well-shaded balcony we recommend that you move the plant around to a spot that has better light once every few weeks

Potting: Since these plants are natives of the tropics they need porous, well-drained soils. They do well in a 30:30:30:10 mix of coco-peat, compost, coarse sand and Perlite

Watering: A Ficus need less water than most indoor plants. It’s a good idea to hold off watering them until the top layer of soil dry to touch. Drooping or yellowing leaves could indicate over-watering or poor drainage.

Fertilising: If your potting mix is right, these plants will not require too much fertiliser. However, nourishing them with an organic liquid fertiliser two or three times a year will help them do well. If you are using a chemical mix, ensure that they don’t touch the stalk or its leaves. This could damage the plant.

Did you know?

Rubber plants are known to increase humidity in the air around them and hence thought to reduce suspended particles