Ficus lyrata
Fiddle leaf fig, Banjo fig
Also known as Ficus pandorata
- Height × spread
- 13m × 7m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
In the UK this is seen as a houseplant. In tropical parts of West Africa it is epiphytic in character, climbing up a host, and eventually becoming a tree in its own right that can reach up to 13 metres in height with a broad crown over a fairly slender brown trunk. A good landscape tree with a formal habit and suited to a position near buildings. As a houseplant it is valued for its large and handsome leaves. These are around 45cm in length, broader at the tip with wavy edges, pale yellow veins and a smooth, shiny surface. They are sometimes described as being 'fiddle-shaped'. It can be pruned for containment in a domestic role.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Black
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 13m
- Spread
- 7m
- Height in 10 years
- 1m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.5m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- semi shade
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin allergen
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with high nitrogen feed
Give the plant a feed monthly from May until August using a houseplant fertiliser that is high in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a high value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water moderately in winter
Water moderately.
Give a small amount of water so that the plant doesn't become flaccid (leaves lose their firmness and may droop or look lifeless), or dessicated, but do not saturate the compost or leave it standing in water.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality standard compost.
Alternatively prepare a special compost that is best suited to the plant's needs: mix equal amounts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3), leaf mould, and fine bark.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in moderate light / some shade
This plant is happiest in a position with part or light shade, near a sunless window or some distance away from a sunny or bright window. It should not be exposed to full sunlight.
Found in
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