The effects of 2 light levels, (full sun and 47% shade) 3 nitrogen and 3 potassium levels (672, 2018, and 3362 kg/ha yr-1) on light compensation point, shoot and root growth, canopy distribution and leaf tissue nutrient content of Ficus benjamina were determined. The 47% shade treatment during 7 months of production significantly decreased light compensation point levels. N level slightly affected compensation point and K level had no effect. Higher N levels increased shoot growth, while K levels played a dominant role in root development. Light level interacted with both of these effects. N level was positively correlated to percent of the plant canopy contained in the upper half of the plant and this in turn closely was correlated with plant light compensation point.

Plants of Ficus benjamina L. had less leaves in the upper half of sun and shade-grown plants with higher N rates. Potassium affected leaf distribution only in bottom portion of canopy and had no effects on LCP. High N levels increased light compensation point (LCP) of sun-grown plants, but reduced LCP of shadegrown plants. Increased number of leaves in upper half of sun-grown plants reduced LCP but shade-grown plants showed an opposite effect.

Leaf diffusion resistances of Ficus benjamina grown in full sun were lower than those from 47% light exclusion. Scanning electron micrographs revealed 53% more stomata on sun leaves. High KC1 increased transpiration rates and foliar levels of K were increased in sun grown plants, but unaffected in shade grown plants.