Ficus Shivereana - The Spectacular Moonshine Rubber Tree
Prepare to be absolutely mesmerised by Ficus elastica 'Shivereana', affectionately known as the Moonshine Rubber Tree! This stunning variegated beauty showcases the most extraordinary speckled foliage you've ever seen - each glossy leaf is a unique masterpiece featuring swirls of lime green, cream, white, and the most gorgeous peachy-pink tones that create an absolutely captivating moonlight effect!
What makes Ficus Shivereana truly special is that no two leaves are ever identical! Each broad, oval leaf displays its own individual pattern of mottled colours and speckles, creating a living work of art that constantly surprises and delights. New leaves often emerge in stunning pink-orange hues before gradually developing into that signature creamy-green variegation. It's like watching a painting come to life!
Why Choose Ficus Shivereana for Your Collection?
- Extraordinary Unique Variegation: Absolutely spectacular speckled foliage in lime green, cream, white, and peachy-pink tones - each leaf is genuinely one-of-a-kind artwork!
- Statement Plant Impact: Those large, glossy, leathery leaves (reaching 20-30cm) create immediate visual drama and sophistication in any space!
- Relatively Easy Care: Despite its rare appearance, Shivereana is wonderfully adaptable and forgiving - perfect for plant enthusiasts ready to step up their collection!
- Stunning New Growth: New leaves emerge in gorgeous peachy-pink tones that gradually transform - watching new foliage develop is absolutely magical!
- Collector's Status: Once considered extremely rare, Shivereana remains a highly sought-after variety that elevates any plant collection to the next level!
Care Instructions for Australian Conditions
Light Requirements
Here's the absolute key to maintaining those spectacular speckled leaves - bright indirect light is essential! Ficus Shivereana needs abundant brightness to maintain its stunning variegation. Position your Moonshine near an east-facing window for gentle morning sun (which it actually appreciates!), or a few metres from a bright north-facing window where it receives lovely filtered light throughout the day. You can also position it near south or west windows with sheer curtains filtering the intensity.
Without adequate bright light, your Shivereana will start producing more chlorophyll to compensate, causing new leaves to emerge greener with less of that gorgeous variegation. In perfect bright indirect light, you'll be rewarded with maximum colour variation and those stunning peachy-pink new leaves! Just protect those delicate variegated sections from harsh direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the lighter areas.
Watering
It's important to only water when it suits the environment your plant is living in - everyone's home is different! Ficus Shivereana appreciates a good drink when the top 5-8cm of soil feels dry to touch. This typically means watering every 7-10 days during our warm Australian summers (December-February), whilst cooler winter months (June-August) might stretch to every 10-14 days. A lovely chunky, well-draining potting medium dries at just the right pace!
When you water, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, ensuring the entire root system gets moisture. Then allow the soil to partially dry before watering again - Ficus Shivereana definitely prefers slightly drier conditions over soggy soil. Yellow leaves usually indicate overwatering, whilst drooping leaves suggest it's time for a drink!
Temperature
Ficus Shivereana loves warmth! It thrives in temperatures between 18-27°C and absolutely adores our warm Australian climate. Keep it away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents blowing directly on the foliage, and temperatures below 15°C which can cause stress and leaf drop. This tropical beauty genuinely appreciates consistent warmth!
Humidity
Whilst Ficus Shivereana tolerates average household humidity remarkably well (it's quite adaptable!), it appreciates extra moisture in the air, particularly during dry periods. The best way to boost humidity is by grouping your Shivereana with other plants to create lovely humid microclimates! If you notice brown leaf edges appearing, this usually indicates humidity could be higher. Regular leaf wiping with a damp cloth not only increases humidity but keeps those gorgeous glossy leaves looking absolutely pristine!
Potting Medium
Ficus Shivereana thrives in a chunky, well-draining mix! Create the perfect blend using quality indoor potting mix combined with orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir. This chunky texture provides excellent drainage and aeration around the roots whilst retaining just enough moisture. Avoid heavy, compacted soils that stay soggy - good drainage is absolutely essential for preventing root rot!
Fertilising
Give your Ficus Shivereana the nutrition it deserves with Growth Technology Foliage Focus! This complete, balanced fertiliser contains all 12 essential minerals in ionic form for immediate absorption, promoting gorgeous glossy foliage and vibrant variegation. During the active growing season (September-March), feed your Shivereana with Foliage Focus at 3-5ml per litre at every watering for absolutely stunning results!
Add Growth Technology Rootzone at 1ml per litre every 2-4 weeks to promote exceptional root health and overall plant vigour. During cooler months (April-August) when growth naturally slows, reduce feeding frequency to every 2-3 waterings. Consistent feeding during active growth supports that spectacular variegation and encourages healthy new leaves!
Seasonal Care Guide
Spring (September-November): Your Ficus Shivereana comes alive in spring! New growth emerges regularly - watch for those gorgeous peachy-pink new leaves! Increase watering frequency as growth accelerates, resume regular feeding, and this is the perfect time to repot if your Shivereana has outgrown its current container or propagate from stem cuttings!
Summer (December-February): Peak growing season! Your Shivereana absolutely loves our warm summer temperatures and will reward you with steady growth. Monitor soil moisture regularly as warm weather means faster drying, maintain consistent feeding, and ensure it receives abundant bright indirect light. Perfect time to wipe those leaves weekly to keep them looking spectacular!
Autumn (March-May): Growth gradually slows as temperatures cool. You might see one final push of gorgeous new leaves before winter dormancy. Gradually reduce watering frequency as the soil stays moist longer, and continue feeding but slightly less frequently. Perfect time to assess overall plant health and shape!
Winter (June-August): Rest period! Growth slows significantly and your Shivereana enters semi-dormancy. Reduce watering frequency substantially - soil may take 10-14 days to dry. Reduce feeding to every 2-3 waterings, maintain adequate bright light (extra important during shorter winter days!), and protect from cold drafts and temperatures below 15°C. Avoid repotting during winter months.
Perfect For
- Statement Plant Displays: That spectacular variegation and substantial presence makes Ficus Shivereana an absolute showstopper as a focal point in any room!
- Bright Living Spaces: Perfect for rooms with excellent natural light where those gorgeous speckled leaves can truly shine and maintain maximum variegation!
- Plant Collectors: Highly sought-after variety that adds serious wow-factor and collector status to any plant collection!
- Modern Interiors: The upright columnar growth habit and contemporary colouring complements minimalist and modern design aesthetics beautifully!
- Rubber Plant Enthusiasts: If you love Ficus elastica varieties like Tineke or Ruby, Shivereana takes variegation to absolutely spectacular new levels!
- Gift Giving: Makes an unforgettable gift for serious plant lovers - this beauty always generates excitement and admiration!
About That Gorgeous Variegation!
The magic of Ficus Shivereana lies in its absolutely stunning variegation pattern! Unlike solid-coloured rubber trees or even striped varieties, Shivereana features an intricate speckled and mottled effect that resembles watercolour painting. The base colour ranges from pale lime green to cream, overlaid with darker green speckles, splashes of white, and those gorgeous peachy-pink tones on new growth. Each leaf develops its own unique pattern - some might be heavily speckled, others feature larger colour blocks, and some show beautiful marbling effects. This constant variation means your Shivereana is genuinely one-of-a-kind! The glossy, leathery texture enhances the colour play, creating depth and shimmer that catches light beautifully throughout the day.
Pruning & Shaping Your Shivereana
Ficus Shivereana naturally grows in an upright columnar habit, which creates that lovely tree-like silhouette! If you'd like to encourage branching for a fuller appearance, you can prune the top of the stem between nodes using clean, sharp secateurs. When you cut the stem, growth hormones are redirected to dormant buds lower on the plant, encouraging side branches to develop. Always wear gloves when pruning as Ficus produces a milky latex sap that can irritate skin - simply wipe away any sap with a damp cloth immediately!
Regular pruning also helps control size and maintain your desired shape. Prune during the active growing season (spring and summer) for best results, and you can even propagate those cuttings to create new plants!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my new leaves greener with less variegation?
This is called reversion, and it's your plant's way of saying it needs more light! When light levels are insufficient, Shivereana produces more chlorophyll (green pigment) to compensate, resulting in greener leaves with less of that gorgeous variegation. Move your plant to a brighter location with more indirect light, and subsequent new leaves should emerge with better colour variation and those stunning speckles!
Why is my Ficus dropping leaves?
Ficus can be a bit dramatic with sudden environmental changes! Leaf drop usually indicates stress from changes in location, light, temperature, or watering routine. The solution? Consistency! Find a happy spot with bright indirect light and consistent temperatures, establish a regular watering routine, and avoid moving your Shivereana unnecessarily. Once settled, it will stop dropping leaves and focus on gorgeous new growth!
Can I propagate my Ficus Shivereana?
Absolutely! Ficus Shivereana propagates beautifully from stem cuttings. Take 10-15cm cuttings with at least 2-3 leaves during spring or summer, allow the cut end to callus for an hour, then root in water or directly in moist potting mix. Keep cuttings in bright indirect light and warmth. Roots typically develop within 3-4 weeks! Adding Growth Technology Clonex Rooting Gel to the cut end encourages faster, healthier root development.
Is the pink colour permanent on new leaves?
Those gorgeous peachy-pink tones on new leaves are absolutely stunning, but they're temporary! This beautiful colouration is characteristic of young emerging foliage. As the leaf matures and expands, the pink gradually fades and transitions into the signature lime green, cream, and white variegation. Watching this transformation is one of the most delightful aspects of growing Shivereana - it's like watching a painting develop!
Important Care Notes
Like all Ficus elastica varieties, Shivereana produces a milky latex sap when stems or leaves are damaged. This sap contains compounds that can cause skin irritation and is toxic if ingested by pets or children. Always wear gloves when pruning or handling broken stems, wipe away any sap immediately with a damp cloth, and position your Shivereana where curious pets and children cannot access it. With mindful placement, you can safely enjoy this spectacular beauty!
Every plant we offer is carefully selected from our premium nursery stock and personally inspected for quality and health before dispatch, ensuring you receive a beautiful specimen ready to thrive in your Australian collection!
Please Note: As living plants, each specimen is unique and may vary in size, leaf count, and exact appearance from the images shown. The photos are representative examples of the quality and characteristics you can expect, but natural variations in shape, colour, and growth patterns make every plant one-of-a-kind. This individuality is part of what makes growing plants so special!
If you are from a quarantine restricted state & would like to purchase this plant we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service, make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
Shipping & Greenhouse Collection
Let's Talk About How Your Plants Get to You!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'Visit the Greenhouse' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
