Mistletoe Fig (Ficus deltoidea) Care Indoors, Propagation and Common Problems
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Mistletoe Fig Plant (Ficus deltoidea) grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Ficus deltoidea also called Delta Fig or Fig Shrub is a slow-growing, evergreen, shrubby plant which bears glossy green leaves on top, golden yellow below with black spots and prominent veins.
The leaves in female plants are big and round while in male plants they are small, round and long. The species name, 'deltoidea', is in reference to the leaf shape which resemble the Greek letter, 'delta'.
Delta Fig bears characteristic fig berries through out the year which start off white then turn red as they mature. The berries are inedible.
Fig Shrub is considered more drought tolerant than most Ficus varieties as it can withstand short periods of dryness.
Botanical name: Ficus deltoidea
Synonmy: Ficus diversifolia
Family: Moraceae
Common names: Mistletoe Fig, Delta Fig, Fig Shrub
Origin
Ficus deltoidea is native to South East Asia. It can grow as a terrestrial, a lithophyte or as an epipyhte. The epiphytic growth gives it the common name, 'Mistletoe', as it grows like a mistletoe.
Size
Ficus Mistletoe Fig can grow to a height of 18 feet in its native habitat. Indoors, it grows to a height of about 3-5 feet and the same width. It may take 10-20 years to reach this size. It is one of the best trees for indoor growing.
Toxicity
Like other plants in the Moraceae family, Ficus deltoidea is toxic to humans and pets as indicated by Pet Poison Helpline. Ficus plants produce a milky white latex which is an irritant to the eyes and the skin. If ingested it can cause irritation in the mouth, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pains.
Where to Buy
Mistletoe Fig is a beautiful plant to add to your collection, it is available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Mistletoe Fig Plant Care Indoors
Mistletoe Fig Plant prefers bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 60-75% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Ficus deltoidea care requires repotting every 1-2 years when the plant is pot-bound. Regular pruning is needed to keep the plant tidy, reduce pests and diseases as well as control growth and encourage growth of a compact plant. Keep on reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water your Mistletoe Fig liberally during the growing season until water comes out through the drainage holes and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Decrease watering in the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time. Use water that is at room temperature as cold water can cause reduced growth and leaf drop.
Delta Fig is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Use only chlorine-free water to water the plant to avoid spots on the leaves. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to leaf drop and root-rot.
Light Requirements
Mistletoe Fig Plant grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct morning or late afternoon sunlight. Avoid exposing it to hot middat sunshine as it can cause scorching (brown marks on the leaves) and eventual leaf drop.
Ficus deltoidea can adapt to lower light conditions but it will grow much slower. If light is too little it may result in leggy growth, yellowing and leaf drop. You may grow the plant under a grow light if natural lighting is insufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the Delta Fig receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for Mistletoe Fig is an average warmth of 15-260C. Keep the it away from drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as they can cause leaf drop.
Ficus Mistletoe Fig can grow in average room humidity but to thrive, it requires above average humidity of 60-75%. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Learn more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed your Ficus deltoidea every 3-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Potting Mix
Mistletoe Fig Plant soil should be rich in organic matter and well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are great for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Ficus Mistletoe Fig at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become root-bound. Repotting every 1-2 years is adequate for this plant. Avoid frequent repotting as it grows best when pot-bound.
Repot only when it has outgrown its current pot, that is, when the roots begin to grow through the drainage holes. Use a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it can result in leaf drop and root-rot.
For a large plant which may be difficult to handle, replenish the top 2-4 inches of soil with fresh soil annually while taking care not to injure the roots. Check out these ceramic pots on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Mistletoe Fig Plant is easy. Remove dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as reduce pests and diseases infestation.
When the plant has reached maximum height or it has become leggy, cutback the branches with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to rejuvenate growth and also encourage a bushy, compact growth. You may use the foliage emanating from the pruning to propagate new plants.
Propagation
Ficus deltoidea propagation can be done during the growing season by air layering or by stem and stem-tip cuttings.
Ficus deltoidea propagation by Air Layering
Air layering involves notching the stem of a healthy Mistletoe Fig and coating the notch with a rooting hormone for faster establishment.
Surround the notched area with damp moss and cover the notch with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.
Once the roots have formed, sever the stem just below the covered part. Remove the polythene or plastic wrap and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist well-drained soil.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
New shoots will sprout from the shortened stem of the old plant into a beautiful bushy plant.
Position the new Delta Fig in a warm, brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist until the plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Ficus deltoidea propagation from stem cuttings
Take non-woody stem or stem-tip cuttings about 6 inches long from a healthy Mistletoe Fig. Strip off the lower leaves from the cutting and retain 2-3 leaves on top.
Allow the sap to dry and then dip the lower cut end cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Insert the cutting in moist rooting soil. Ensure that the rooting container has adequate drainage to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting of the cuttings.
To enhance rooting of the cutting, create a mini-greenhouse by covering the set up with a clear polythene bag or sheet.
Ensure the leaves do not touch the bag or the sheet too much by propping it up with sticks.
Place the set up in warm, brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.
New growth indicates that the cutting has rooted. In about 3-4 weeks, rooting will have taken place.
Gradually over a period of two weeks, remove the plastic cover to acclimatize the new plant.
In 4-6 months, there will be adequate root development and you can transplant the new plants into individual pots after which you can begin Delta Fig routine care.
Related: How to propagate Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica Propagation).
Mistletoe Fig Problems
Ficus deltoidea problems include yellow leaves, leaf drop, drooping leaves, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more details on these problems and how to fix them.
Yellow leaves
Mistletoe Fig yellow leaves are caused by varied reasons. One reason is improper watering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Cut down on watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
The second reason for yellow leaves in Mistletoe Fig Plant is too little light. Make sure that the plant receives bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afernoon sunshine. Keep it away from hot direct sunshine. You may also instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Take a look at this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Pests
The common pests in Mistletoe Fig are aphids, mealy bugs, scale insects and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat with neem oil as directed bu the manufacturer. Keep the plant properly pruned at all times to reduce the hiding places for these pests.
Diseases
Mistletoe Fig Plant is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. Ensure there is free drainage of both the soil and the pot and also reduce watering during the cold season.
Leaf drop
There are many and varied causes of leaf drop in Mistletoe Fig. One possible cause of leaf drop is sudden changes in the growing conditions. This is likely to occur when you bring the plant home or when you move it to a new location in the home.
When you bring the Delta Fig home, place it in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct morning or late afternoon sunlight. Water it liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
The plant may loss a few leaves but will eventually settle. If you need to move the plant to a new location in your home, do so gradually to acclimate it to the new conditions. For instance, if you want to take it outside, move it to a shaded place first before you can take out under bright light.
The second possible cause of leaf drop in Ficus Mistletoe Fig is extremely cold or hot temperatures due to drafts. The plant requires average temperatures of 15-260C to thrive. Too high or too low temperatures will affect the normal functioning of the plant systems.
Too high temperatures will cause dehydration which can lead to wilting and leaf drop while too low temperatures cause the plant to stop growing and begin to die. Leaf drop is one of the signs of a dying plant. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
The third possible cause of leaf drop in Mistletoe Fig Plant is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine.
Related: 14 reasons why Rubber Plant is dropping leaves and how to fix them.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves in Mistletoe Fig Plant are due to a number of varied reasons. One reason is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Decrease watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely; maintain the soil moderately moist.
Related: 13 Reasons Why Rubber Plant Leaves are Drooping & How to Fix Them.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Mistletoe Fig will grow in ordinary room humidity but when the temperatures are too high it may develop brown leaf tips and edges due to too low humidity. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity. You may also grow the plant in the moist areas in the home.
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