Overview
Ficus umbellata is a bushy shrubs in the genus Ficus, part of the Moraceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ficus umbellata grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1b. Suggested uses include houseplants and conservatory and greenhouse. It is native to Angola, Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
About
Ficus umbellata is a bushy evergreen shrub or tree belonging to the Ficus genus, which includes a variety of evergreen and deciduous plants with leathery leaves. This cultivar thrives in fertile, well-drained loam soil with moist but well-drained conditions, and it prefers full sun to partial shade in sheltered, south-, west-, or east-facing aspects. Native to several African countries, it is suited for cultivation as a houseplant or in conservatories and greenhouses in the UK, where it requires protection due to its H1b hardiness rating. It flowers in spring and summer, producing small flowers inside hollow structures that develop into fruit.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Ficus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1b
Plant details
Ficus umbellata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Conservatory and greenhouse
- Native to
- Angola, Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Ficus umbellata
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings, Air layering
- Pest resistance
- Susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, mealybugs, scale insects under glass
- Disease resistance
- Susceptible to honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Ficus umbellata?
Ficus umbellata prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ficus umbellata need?
Ficus umbellata grows best in loam soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Ficus umbellata hardy in the UK?
Ficus umbellata has an RHS hardiness rating of H1b, meaning it needs subtropical warmth of 10–15°C and must be grown under glass in the UK.
How do I propagate Ficus umbellata?
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Air layering.
More in the Ficus genus
- Ficus 'Panda'
- Ficus afghanistanica 'Silver Lyre'Afghanistan fig 'Silver Lyre'
- Ficus altissimacouncil tree
- Ficus americanajacquinia-leaved fig
- Ficus amplissimabat tree
- Ficus aspera
- Ficus australis
- Ficus barteri
