Mistletoe Fig (Ficus deltoidea) Care Indoors; Watering, Soil, Pruning, Propagation, Problems

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Ficus deltoidea (Mistletoe Fig) grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Mistletoe Fig 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.

Is Mistletoe Fig toxic to pets?

Yes. 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. Keep Mistletoe Fig away from children, cats. dogs and other pets.

Why grow Ficus deltoidea indoors?

• Attractive foliage: Glossy, rounded green leaves with a leathery texture.


• Compact growth: It stays small, making it ideal for apartments, offices, and tabletops.


• Low maintenance: Requires minimal watering and care.


• Drought-tolerant: It stores water in its thick leaves, reducing watering needs.


• Ornamental fruits: Produces tiny, inedible figs that resemble mistletoe berries.

Where to Buy

Mistletoe Fig is a beautiful plant to add to your collection, you may acquire these plants from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Ficus deltoidea Indoors

To care for Ficus deltoidea indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 60-75% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Mistletoe Fig requires repotting every 1-2 years when 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 Ficus deltoidea liberally in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage holes. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, wilting, yellowing and leaf loss.

Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Use water that is at room temperature as cold water can cause reduced growth and leaf drop. Only use chlorine-free to avoid browning of leaf edges and spots on the leaves.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot, yellowing and leaf drop. Always discard excess water from the saucer to prevent the plant from sitting in soggy soil.

Light Requirements

Mistletoe Fig thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct morning or late afternoon sunlight. Avoid exposing it to hot midday sunshine to avoid 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. Therefore, if natural lighting is insufficient, use a grow light to complement it.

Once monthly, give the pot a 90⁰ turn, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Ficus deltoidea prefers a warmth of 15-26⁰C. Keep the it away from sources of drafts to prevent temperature flactuations as they can cause stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Ficus Mistletoe Fig prospers in a humidity of 60-75%; low humidity can result in browning and leaf drop. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Make sure there is good airflow to discourage fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Ficus deltoidea with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Mistletoe Fig should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from becoming soggy and compacted. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir (for moisture retention) and 20% perlite (for aeration) is ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot your Ficus Mistletoe Fig at the beginning of the growing season, only when root-bound; it grows best when pot-bound. Repotting every 1-2 years is enough for this plant. Repot only when it has outgrown its current pot; when the roots begin to grow through the drainage holes.

Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent sogginess. Never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and eventual plant death.

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 & Grooming

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.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.

Ficus deltoidea Propagation

Ficus deltoidea is propagated by air layering or by stem and stem-tip cuttings. The best time to propagate is at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when the plant is in active growth for faster establishment.

1. Propagating Ficus deltoidea by Air Layering

1. Air layering involves notching a healthy stem and coating the notch with a rooting hormone to promote rooting.


2. Surround the notched area with damp moss and cover the notch with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.


3. 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.


4. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.


5. New shoots will sprout from the shortened stem of the old plant into a beautiful bushy plant.


6. Position the new plant in a warm, brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist until the plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Ficus deltoidea from stem cuttings

1. Take non-woody stem or stem-tip cuttings about 6 inches long from a healthy stem.


2. Strip off the lower leaves from the cutting and retain 2-3 leaves on top.


3. Allow the sap to dry and then dip the lower cut end cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


4. 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.


5. To enhance rooting of the cutting, create a mini-greenhouse by covering the set up with a clear polythene bag or sheet.


6. Ensure the leaves do not touch the bag or the sheet too much by propping it up with sticks.


7. Place the set up in warm, brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.


8. New growth indicates that the cutting has rooted. In about 3-4 weeks, rooting will have taken place.


9. Gradually over a period of two weeks, remove the plastic cover to acclimatize the new plant.


10. 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 routine care.

Ficus deltoidea Problems & Remedies

Mistletoe Fig problems are yellow leaves, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more details on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellow leaves

Why are the leaves on my Mistletoe Fig turning yellow?

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Mistletoe Fig are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, temperature stress or aging.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining.

Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afernoon sunshine. You may also instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like radiators, AC units, hot air vents, windy doors and others.

Aging: This is a natural process; as the plant matures the older leaves turn yellow and drop off.

Leaf drop

Why are the leaves falling off my Mistletoe Fig?

Leaves are falling off your Mistletoe Fig due to sudden changes, temperature stress, too little light or inconsistent watering.

How to fix it

Sudden changes: Acclimate the plant gradually to new growing conditions.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, windy doors and others.

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry, and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.

Pests

Common pests of Ficus deltoidea are aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the infested plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat with neem oil as directed by the manufacturer.


2. Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely control measures.


3. Keep the plant properly pruned at all times to reduce the hiding places for these pests.


4. To discourage the pests, group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity.


5. Maintain good air flow to minimize the pests infestations.

Diseases

Ficus deltoidea is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. It is characterized by wlting, yellowing and browning of the leaves which is rapidly followed by plant collapse.

How to fix it

1. Slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Brown mushy roots indicate root-rot.


2. Cut away the brown-black roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as per the manufacturer instructions.


3. Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil and keep it dry for some time before watering.


4. Use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent soil sogginess.


5. Cut down on watering in fall and winter since growth is slowed at this time.

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