Christmas Fig Ficus bhotanica
Previously known as:
- Ficus gasparriniana var. laceratifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- Fy-kus bo-TAN-ee-kah
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
