A hybrid of Ficus Elastica is Ficus Shivereana, also known as the Indian rubber plant due to Its 15% rubber content in the barrel.
Typically, the plant may be found all the way from Malaysia to the Himalayas. This gorgeous, evergreen rubber plant may grow up to 2 meters tall inside. However, if planted outside, it may reach a height of 20 meters. The plant grows about 24 inches (60 cm) a year on average.
This “rubber” plant grows into a charming tiny tree that fits indoors and effortlessly elevates the look of your yard. While the general care of Ficus Shivereana is the same as that of other Ficus Elastica varieties such as the Ficus Tineke, it is much more sensitive to growth in new locations.
A lovely pink tint may be noticed on the young leaves of this ficus, which features bright lime-green foliage with remarkable variegation. The rubber plant ficus Shivereana has mojito-colored mottling. It lives up to expectations! We describe how to look after this unusual houseplant.
How to Grow Ficus Shivereana: Growing Requirements
You want to grow the plant Ficus Shivereana yourself? Check out our list of most important growing requirements to make sure you plant thrives.
Watering
Water is what Ficus Shivereana prefers and needs to thrive, but only in the proper quantity. Underwatering or overwatering the plant might harm it. So always water in accordance with the soil and weather.
While the plant needs less water in the winter, summertime requires more frequent watering. The ideal procedure is to examine the plant once a week to see if the soil is dry on top. By touching the area or getting an accurate reading from a soil moisture meter, you may check the moisture content. The plant is only watered when necessary thanks to weekly inspection, which prevents over- or under-watering.
The size of the plant determines how much water is needed. According to the rule of thumb, a plant needs one cup of water for every foot it is tall. For example, if your Ficus Shivereana is one foot tall, you’ll need two cups of water, and so on.
Temperature
The optimal range for temperature is 15°C–25°C (59°F–77°F). It mostly thrives in temperatures between chilly and warm. Although the plant can endure small temperature changes, it is advisable to situate it in accordance with the local climate. The required wintertime temperature is between 64.4°F and 60.8°C (16°C).
Humidity
This plant benefits from humidity for its health and evolution because it is native to a tropical area. Ficus Shivereana thrives best at 50% humidity, but because it’s a tough plant, it can also tolerate lower humidity levels. Place a humidifier or pebble tray close to the plant to give it the necessary humidity levels if it is located in a dry area or the weather becomes difficult for Ficus.
Light Requirement
The Ficus Shivereana’ s leaf color and quality are directly influenced by the light. Foliage variegation depends on the plant being placed in the ideal location. Indirect, bright sunshine is preferred for Ficus Shivereana. Keeping the plant away from the intense afternoon sun is required since it is too harsh for the delicate leaves, even if direct morning sunlight is ideal for the plant.
Although this Ficus plant can endure low light levels, a consistent lack of the best sunlight might cause leaf deterioration and fall. In order to promote its growth, it is best to position it close to a south-facing window where it will receive bright and medium light all day.
Soil
You must have the best potting soil for Ficus Shivereana. The plant will perish in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 and in soil that is more acidic. Drainage is sometimes underestimated by novice plant enthusiasts. In contrast to underwatering, overwatering harms the plants permanently. The soil must also have the necessary nutrients. The high levels of organic matter in loam soils make them excellent sources of nutrients for your Ficus Shivereana and also aid in drainage.
Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizers are the most effective fertilizers for Ficus Shivereana. Although the plant may survive without any fertilizer, its development can be aided by using moderate fertilizers. Normally, there are enough nutrients in the potting soil for the plant to flourish, but after those nutrients have been depleted, the plant has developed to the point where it has to be moved to a larger container. During the summer and spring seasons, it is advised to use organic fertilizer every two to three weeks. Perlite and vermiculite are suggested items. Although balanced fertilizers should be used, the plant will be alright if you are repotting it every year.
Repotting a Ficus Shivereana
- Make sure your Ficus Shivereana pot has drainage holes first.
- Clay pebbles should be layered in the pot’s base. This will serve as additional drainage, safeguard the Ficus Shivereana roots from waterlogging, and stop moisture from building up at the pot’s base.
- Use the proper potting mix to fill the remaining space in the container.
- Vermiculite and coarse perlite can be a good combination. These elements will stop the soil from being compacted, maintain proper drainage, and keep the soil aerated since the roots of the Ficus Shivereana tree require oxygen to flourish.
- Because the roots require oxygen to grow, make sure the soil is loose and allows for adequate airflow.
- Place the Ficus Shivereana in the fresh container now, and give it some water.
- In order to maintain Ficus Shivereana leaves shining, let the soil dry out in between waterings.
Propagating the Ficus Shivereana
The propagation of this plant is often quite difficult, and it may take several tries before you are able to successfully grow a Ficus Shivereana plant within your house. Even so, there’s a chance you’ll get it correctly the first time. The fact that there are several ways to propagate Ficus Shivereana is one of its most intriguing features. It is possible to cultivate it from seed, cuttings taken from an established plant, or even a root ball.
Ficus Shivereana must be sown from fresh seeds if you wish to cultivate it from seed. When you have your seeds, plant them in a pot with soil that drains properly and keep the container in a warm spot. Fertilize the soil every several weeks and keep it moist but not damp. Within two to four weeks, your seeds ought to begin to sprout.
Take a 6-7-inch-long stem clipping from a shivereana plant that is the present object of your attention and let it dry for around 70 minutes. After that, plant your cutting in a container and add a rooting hormone to encourage the growth of roots. In four to six weeks, your cutting should start to grow roots.
How to Take Care of Ficus Shivereana at Home
- Bright, indirect light is necessary for Ficus Shivereana. Put it close to a window so that it will receive lots of light without being exposed to direct sunshine.
- If the soil’s top inch is dry, water Ficus Shivereana. After watering, let the soil drain fully before removing the plant from the water.
- Use a balanced fertilizer to fertilize Ficus Shivereana once a month in the spring and summer. During the fall and winter, cut back on fertilizing to once every two months.
- The spring or summer are both viable times for transplantation. Place Shivereana Ficus in a pot that is just one size bigger than the one it is in now. After transplanting, water the plant thoroughly and use a well-draining potting mix.
- To shape Ficus Shivereana, pruning and forming may be done at any time of the year. Simply use sterilized, sharp pruning shears to trim the stems to the appropriate length.
Common Problems for the Ficus Shivereana
Overwatering
Overwatering is a typical error, especially in cold climes where it is not necessary to water frequently. The plant requires water, but you should wait until the soil is completely dry before watering. The leaves get discolored when they are overwatered. At the base of the plant, the oldest and largest leaves often begin to turn yellow or brown. An indicator of overwatering is this. If these signs develop, stop watering your Ficus Shivereana and wait until the earth is totally dry.
Pests
Cephaleuros virescens, a parasitic alga, is the cause of the algal leaf spot on rubber plants. It thrives in warm, muggy weather. It’s sometimes referred to as green scurf. Leaf spots should be sufficiently controlled by natural means.
The leaves of rubber trees may curl due to aphids, spider mites, and scales, among other small insects. Pay close attention to every aspect of the plant, especially the stems and the undersides of the leaves. Spraying with insecticidal soap is a simple way to get rid of the majority of pests.
Diseases
Additionally, the marble plant is vulnerable to ailments including leaf spots and cold injury. The leaves begin to develop brown and yellow spots when the plant is infected with the leaf spot disease. The dropping of leaves was also a result of leaf spots. The presence of water on leaves for a lengthy period of time and insect assault are both potential causes of leaf spot disease. Reduce the frequency of misting and prune the problematic leaves if you see the symptoms.
Brown spots on adult leaves and young leaves that have suffered cold damage seem deformed, brown, and puckered. The plant may contract this disease if it receives excessively cold exposure. Therefore, keep the temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the plant from cold damage.
Final Thoughts
Because the Ficus Shivereana is a very rare and attractive rubber plant, it requires care, love, and attention. However, you can keep this wonderful houseplant both indoors and outside. Bring this gorgeous beauty home if you want to create an excellent impression at your house as well.
