Banana leaf fig Ficus maclellandii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Urostigma rhododendrifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- FY-kus mak-lee-LAN-dee-eye
- Description
-
Banana leaf fig is an evergreen tree in the Moraceae (fig) family native to India, Southeast Asia and China. It is commonly grown as a houseplant in temperate climates. The most popular one found for sale is the cultivar 'Alii' which is sometimes sold with a braided trunk. In their native habitat, they grow quite large and produce small figs. As a house plant, they may reach 6- 10 feet tall. They can be pruned to control size if needed.
These plants do best with bright indirect lighting. Plant in a potting mixture with good drainage and water the plant once the top 1-2 inches of the soil has dried out as they don't like soggy soils. They only need to be fertilized twice yearly.
The stems contain latex which can cause contact dermatitis for some people so handle carefully when pruning.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: whitefly, scale, and ficus mealybug can be a problem.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Alii'
3 to 10 inches long, olive green, slender leaves with a drooping affect, easier to grow other varieties - 'Alii Variegated'
chartreuse leaves with dark green speckles, young leaves are bronze - 'Amstel King'
shiny, banana-shaped, dark green leaves, small weeping tree
- 'Alii'
- 'Alii', 'Alii Variegated', 'Amstel King'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alii'
3 to 10 inches long, olive green, slender leaves with a drooping affect, easier to grow other varieties - 'Alii Variegated'
chartreuse leaves with dark green speckles, young leaves are bronze - 'Amstel King'
shiny, banana-shaped, dark green leaves, small weeping tree
- 'Alii'
- 'Alii', 'Alii Variegated', 'Amstel King'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ficus
- Species:
- maclellandii
- Family:
- Moraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Malaysia
- Wildlife Value:
- In its native habitat, the fig wasp pollinates the flower inside the fruit. Birds and mammals will eat the fruits
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Irregular
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The small fruits develop in pairs at the leaf axils. They are yellow to red, with a flat or swollen opening at the bottom of the fruit when mature. It is best to remove the fruits when they appear
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Description:
- The tiny flowers develop within the fig.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The stalked leathery leaves are spirally arranged and are oblong to oval to lance-shaped or slightly ovate and 3-10 by 1.5-3.5 inches.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- Smooth light brown bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
