Ficus benjamina is very sensitive to leaf drop and the variegated varieties are also sensitive to leaf browning. Leaf browning occurs only in the white parts of the leaves. Leaf drop and leaf browning can occur both in young and in older leaves. For consumers these are the most important post-harvest problems of Ficus benjamina. Studies by A. Bulle, M. de Jongh showed that when an acclimatisation period of about 3-4 weeks with low light intensity was given prior to harvest a much reduced leaf drop and leaf browning was seen during the subsequent summer months in comparison to control plants. However in the autumn the shelf life was best when no acclimatisation period was used. There are large differences in keeping quality of plants from different growers, but also between plants coming from the same greenhouse on different times, reflecting production conditions and pre-harvest treatment. After transport, leaf drop and browning were also reduced by placing plants under high light conditions. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 543: VII International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants www.acthort.org