About
A tender evergreen tree, grown as a houseplant, with slender, arching stems and thin, leathery, glossy dark green leaves with long, tapered tips.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
ToxicityHumans/Pets (dogs): Skin allergen, harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added fine bark chippings in full or filtered light. Maintain an even temperature above 13⁰C, and avoid draughts and fumes from heaters. See ornamental fig cultivation for more advice
PruningPruning is not usually required, see pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings with bottom heat in spring or summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects under glass
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus