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Ficus bhotanica is often confused with:
Ficus neriifolia Form in January in Bhujung, Nepal
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Alocasia sarawakensis 'Yucatan Princess'
Buxus 'Green Mountain' Green Mountain
Laurus nobilis Leaves of Laurus nobilis
Ficus bhotanica has some common insect problems:
Banded Greenhouse Thrips
Fern Scale Insect

Christmas Fig Ficus bhotanica

Previously known as:

  • Ficus gasparriniana var. laceratifolia
Phonetic Spelling
Fy-kus bo-TAN-ee-kah
Description

The Christmas Fig is an evergreen fig tree or shrub in the Moraceae family that produces showy summer fruits that turn red and last until winter. It is a cultivar of the Willow-leaf fig, but is often labeled as a separate plant because of its larger form and distinct leaves and fruits. Christmas Fig is a small tree, reaching a mature height after 5 years of 6 feet.

The Christmas Fig does well in heat and humidity and, if grown indoors, should be kept in a sunny, warm location with consistent moisture. The Christmas Fig will stop growing at temperatures below 60 degree F., but it does tolerates pruning and is easily shaped. Fruit will appear on either new or old growth.

Christmas Fig produces aerial roots and the dark green, oak-leaf shaped foliage tends to be dense with sharp edges. Humidity encourages the plant to produce aerial roots.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Fungus or root rot from overwatering can be a problem. The plant produces a sticky sap when cut which can be messy and irritate skin.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#winter interest#interesting leaves#evergreen tree#rough leaves#tropical shrub#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#winter fruits#pruning tolerant#container plant#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#winter interest#interesting leaves#evergreen tree#rough leaves#tropical shrub#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#winter fruits#pruning tolerant#container plant#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ficus
    Species:
    bhotanica
    Family:
    Moraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Foliage is used as animal fodder and the wood as fuel.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Snow pea-sized axillary, green fruit form in early summer and turn red in July, remaining showy until Christmas. The fruit develops from the same structure that the flowers are held in. The figs can be rounded, oval, or cylindrical and grow in pairs off older branches.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Like other Ficus species, the flower is inverted. The reproductive structures are located within the teardrop shape.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green random shaped leaves have a rough sandpaper texture (scabrous).
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses