Hey Plant Friends!

This week we are talking about Ficus elastica 'Shivereana', commonly known as the Variegated Rubber Tree. This plant belongs to the Moraceae (Mulberry) plant family along with Fiddle Leaf Figs and are native to eastern parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. Most are familiar with Rubber tree varieties such as Tineke, Ruby, and Burgundy, but Ficus Shivereana has beautiful splashes of light and dark green on its light-yellow foliage. This variety is truly a stunner and will add a unique twist to your collection.

Let’s talk about care. Ficus Shivereana will love bright light and can handle some direct sun indoors. Bright, morning sun is best! If light levels are too low, variegation will dull and dim. Ficus Shivereana is a slow growing plant, but when it’s time to repot, we recommend using Sol Soils Houseplant Chunky Mix. This mix has sharp drainage, good water holding capacity, and lots of air space. Allow the top half of the soil to dry down before giving a good soak. Water requirements will increase with increased light. Cut back on watering during winter months as plant growth will slow. Never allow your plant to sit in standing water as this can lead to root rot. Fertilize every other week with an all-purpose fertilizer such as Schultz All Purpose during active growth. Common pests to watch for when caring for your Ficus include mealy bugs and spider mites. It’s a good idea to keep Bonide's Insecticidal Super Soap on hand for easy treatment. Check for pests while watering and make sure to wipe the leaves clean about once per month with a micro fiber cloth to avoid infestations or dust build up . Ficus Shivereana are toxic to pets.

We currently carry Ficus Shivereana in 4 inch and 6 inch pots in the greenhouse. If you have any further questions feel free to reach out to us by phone, Instagram, or email us at hello@tonkadale.com.

Happy planting!