About
An evergreen tree that can reach 30m in the tropics, but is much smaller when grown as a houseplant. Mature plants may produce inconspicuous, green flowers in spring followed in autumn by small, red fruit. It has arching branches and glossy, narrow, pointed leaves up to 25cm long.
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 hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toS E Asia
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full or filtered light
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood or leaf-bud cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects under glass
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus