Ficus elastica 'Shivereana Moonshine'

🌿 The Ficus elastica 'Shivereana Moonshine', commonly known as the Moonshine Rubber Plant, is a stunning variegated cultivar of the classic rubber tree from the Moraceae family. Native to the tropical regions of India and Southeast Asia, this plant grows as a large tree in its natural habitat but adapts beautifully as an indoor specimen. It's an intermediate-level houseplant, requiring a bit more attention than standard varieties due to its variegation needs. Here's a fun fact: the milky white sap that oozes from its leaves was once used to make natural rubber, giving the plant its common name.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This variety grows in an upright, branching habit with a strong central stem that can become quite substantial over time. The leaves are large, oval-shaped, and thick with a leathery texture that feels waxy to the touch. What sets the Shivereana Moonshine apart is its mesmerizing variegation—creamy white, sage green, and pale yellow patches blend across each leaf in an irregular, painterly pattern. Some leaves show more cream than green, while others display subtle marbling. The midrib often carries a soft pink or coral hue, adding even more visual interest.
FLOWER DETAILS
Indoor Ficus elastica rarely flower, and when they do, the blooms are small, inconspicuous, and not particularly showy. The flowers are greenish-white and appear as tiny fig-like structures tucked near the leaf nodes. They lack fragrance and don't add much to the plant's aesthetic appeal. Most growers appreciate this plant purely for its dramatic foliage rather than any floral display. If you're hoping for flowers, you'll need to provide near-perfect greenhouse conditions with high humidity, consistent warmth, and years of maturity. Honestly, the leaves steal the show anyway, so flowering is more of a botanical curiosity than a goal.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS

🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Too much direct sun can scorch the variegated areas, while too little light causes the cream portions to revert to green. An east or west-facing window with sheer curtains works well.
💧 Water: Water thoroughly when the top 5-8 cm of soil feels dry. In spring and summer, this might be weekly. In fall and winter, cut back to every 10-14 days. Water at the base and let excess drain completely—never let it sit in water.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-60% humidity. Average home humidity works, but growth improves with a humidifier or regular misting during dry months.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining, airy mix. Combine potting soil with perlite and orchid bark for best results. Avoid heavy, compacted soil that stays wet.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, about 5 cm larger than the root ball. Terracotta helps prevent overwatering. Repot every 2-3 years in spring when roots fill the pot.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate to fast in ideal conditions. Expect 15-30 cm of growth in the first year. Mature indoor plants can reach 1.5-2.5 metres tall over several years with proper care.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly from March through September with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip fertilizing in fall and winter when growth naturally slows.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. The Ficus elastica is toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap contains latex and can cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, and stomach upset if ingested. Keep out of reach of curious pets.

WHERE TO PUT IT
This plant thrives in living rooms, home offices, or bedrooms where it receives plenty of natural light without harsh afternoon sun. Place it near an east or west window, or a few feet back from a south-facing window. It makes a stunning floor plant in a corner that needs height and drama. Avoid dark hallways, windowless bathrooms, or rooms with cold drafts from air conditioning vents. Keep it away from heating registers and fireplaces, as dry heat can damage the leaves. Also, don't place it in high-traffic areas where pets or children might brush against it and get sap on their skin.
RARITY ASSESSMENT
sought-after