Ficus Elastica • Shivereana Care Guide

Care overview

Sensitive to overwatering. Keep humidity stable to prevent leaf drop.

Light

Bright, indirect light (Can tolerate medium light but may grow slower)

Watering

Water when top 2 inches of soil are dry

Humidity

Moderate to high (50–70% recommended)

Temperature

20–30°C

Feeding and fertiliser

Feed every 4–6 weeks during active growth at quarter to half strength. Do not fertilise fresh unrooted cuttings.

Potting mix

40% fine orchid bark, 30% potting mix, 20% perlite, 10% worm castings

Propagation

Stem cuttings or air layering

Support

Upright woody growth; a temporary stake can keep a juvenile stem straight after propagation. Mature plants generally self-support.

Mature size

Can reach 1.5–3 m indoors over time, but responds well to pruning and can be maintained at a smaller size.

Semi-hydro suitability

Suitability depends on the plant, root condition and the chosen semi-hydro system.

Dormancy and winter growth

No true dormancy is normally required indoors. Growth may slow during the darker UK winter, so reduce watering and feeding in line with the plant's actual growth rate.

About this plant

Ficus Elastica (Ficus elastica 'Shivereana') is held in the Snip & Sprout permanent collection and propagated in small batches when suitable parent growth is available.

Leaf drop

Likely cause

Changes in light, temperature and watering, root stress, pests and acclimatisation after moving can all cause leaf drop.

What to do

Check recent changes and the plant's growing conditions, then correct the underlying cause while keeping care consistent.

Pests

Likely cause

Scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs can occur on indoor woody plants.

What to do

Inspect stems, leaf undersides and sheltered growth regularly. Isolate affected plants and identify the pest before treating.

Yellowing leaves

Likely cause

Possible causes include roots staying too wet or too dry, low light, nutrient problems, poor drainage and normal ageing.

What to do

Check the root zone and growing conditions before watering or feeding more.

Does Ficus Elastica go dormant in winter?

No true dormancy is normally required indoors. Growth may slow during the darker UK winter, so reduce watering and feeding in line with the plant's actual growth rate.

How large can Ficus Elastica grow indoors?

Can reach 1.5–3 m indoors over time, but responds well to pruning and can be maintained at a smaller size.

What is the most important care point for Ficus Elastica?

Sensitive to overwatering. Keep humidity stable to prevent leaf drop.