About
A tropical evergreen shrub or small tree, usually grown as a houseplant, with leathery, oval to oblong leaves that emerge fresh green, and mature to intense green with paler veins.
About the genus
Ficus can be evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers, with often leathery, simple, entire or lobed leaves and tiny flowers borne within a hollow receptacle which enlarges to form the fruit
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass (minimum temperature 15°C), in a peat-free, loam-based compost with added bark chippings, in full or filtered light. Water moderately in growth and keep moist over winter. See ornamental fig cultivation for more advice
PruningPruning is not usually required, see pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in spring or summer. Plants bleed latex when cut, dip in charcoal powder to seal
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects under glass
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus