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Mistletoe Fig Ficus deltoidea

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ficus diversifolia
Phonetic Spelling
FY-kus del-TOY-dee-uh
Description

Mistletoe Fig is an evergreen large shrub or small tree to 23' with a spreading and rounded growth habit and is sometimes epiphytic in its native habitat in SE Asia.

In cooler climates, it is commonly used as an indoor houseplant and will grow to 3 feet in a container. This is an unusual plant with shiny, waxy, green leaves and yellowish undersides that have triangular black glands in between the leaf veins. The plant also produces yellowish, non-edible figs year-round. It is also used as a bonsai specimen.

Mistletoe Fig prefers medium to high light, dry soil and medium relative humidity with a temperature of greater than 55 degrees F. It can tolerate low light conditions and temperatures to 30 degrees F. for short periods. It withstands heavy pruning and has few pest/disease problems. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves have a DELTOID shape
  • Leaf underside bears several black glands
  • Fruit is present year-round
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Variegatus'
    Variegated leaves
'Variegatus'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#year-round interest#large shrub#ornamentals#figs#fantz#indoor tree#indoor#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Variegatus'
    Variegated leaves
'Variegatus'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#year-round interest#large shrub#ornamentals#figs#fantz#indoor tree#indoor#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ficus
    Species:
    deltoidea
    Family:
    Moraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The plant is used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast Asia
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    A globose to ellipsoidal fig, in pairs, green maturing to yellow and orange to red, 1/2 diameter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Minute, axillary, unisexual flowers are enclosed in a fleshy receptacle (fig) that is pollinated by fig wasps.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cuneate
    Deltoid
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, deltoid, truncate or rounded apex, base cuneate, entire, stiffly coriaceous, with several black glands at vein joints underneath; the juvenile leaf is narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, acute, penniveined. Leaves are 1-3 inches long by .5 to 2 inches wide
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Light grey bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Slender, multibranched, stiff and short.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses