Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' (Benjamin fig 'Starlight')

Botanical name

Ficus benjamina 'Starlight'

Other names

Benjamin fig 'Starlight'

Genus

Ficus Ficus

Variety or Cultivar

'Starlight' _ 'Starlight' is a large evergreen shrub with slender-pointed green leaves broadly margined with creamy-white.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Bushy

Toxicity

May cause skin allergies.

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Foliage

Dark-green, Cream in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Red spider mite (box and other) , Scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Propagation methods

Leaf cuttings, Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' (Benjamin fig 'Starlight') will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based potting compost with added fine bark chippings in full or filtered light. When in growth keep moist and misted and apply fertiliser. It requires an even temperature above 13°C away from heater-fumes and draughts.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' (Benjamin fig 'Starlight')

Common pest name

Apple root knot nematode

Scientific pest name

Meloidogyne mali

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Unknown

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

UK (along with certain other European countries) received potentially infested trees in 1992; but these were destroyed at the end of the trial period and targeted surveillance has failed to find any trace of the nematode. Main impacts are on elm; apple and mulberry and industry should source such material carefully.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' (Benjamin fig 'Starlight')

Common pest name

Citrus little leaf; Little leaf of citrus; Sour orange stem pitting; Stem pitting of sour orange; Xyloporosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Hop stunt viroid

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pest of hops present in America and parts of Europe. PHPS provides good assurance of disease freedom; but EU regulation to be pursued to enhance protection in the longer term.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' (Benjamin fig 'Starlight')

Common pest name

assam thrips; castor thrips; chilli thrips; yellow tea thrips

Scientific pest name

Scirtothrips dorsalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

EU listed pest for citrus but highly polyphagous and intercepted on a number of hosts. EU legislation should be updated to reflect wider host list.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/