Ficus altissima

Native range and tropical forest habitat

Ficus altissima comes from southern China and tropical parts of Asia, where it grows as a large forest tree in warm, humid conditions.

Light, watering and care for an upright indoor fig

• Position: Set the plant close to a bright window with filtered light.
• Water: Check both the mix and the weight of the pot. When the surface has dried slightly and the container feels lighter, water the root ball thoroughly and let it drain before returning it to an outer pot.
• Shape and support: Young stems can lean before the wood strengthens. Use a temporary stake when a young stem needs support. To encourage a fuller tree shape, shorten an overlong shoot just above a leaf.
• Potting mix: Choose a loose houseplant mix with fine bark and perlite or pumice so some moisture remains after watering while excess water drains freely.
• Room conditions: Warm, steady indoor conditions suit the plant. Protect it from cold draughts and direct radiator heat. Keep it away from very dry heated air.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced foliage fertiliser at the label rate while leaves and shoots are actively developing. Wait for fresh growth before feeding again after a pause.
• Propagation and sap: For propagation, take a cutting from a stem as it starts to turn woody. Air layering is another option for a thicker branch. Wear gloves when cutting because the milky sap can irritate skin.
• Repotting: Move up one pot size when roots densely occupy the container, the old mix drains unevenly, or the plant has become top-heavy.

Common problems with Ficus altissima

• Several firm green leaves fall after a move: A sudden change in light, temperature or watering is a likely trigger. Leave the plant in one bright, stable position and check how quickly the pot dries there.
• Leaf edges turn crisp while the container feels unusually light: The root ball has dried too far. Rewet it thoroughly, let it drain and move it back from hot glass or strong dry heat if needed.
• Tiny pale speckles, webbing, cottony clusters or hard brown bumps appear: Inspect stems and both leaf surfaces for spider mites, mealybugs or scale. Isolate the plant while you identify the pest, then use a treatment labelled for that pest on indoor ornamental plants and repeat it as directed on the label.
• Leaves yellow or darken while the pot remains heavy: Check the roots before watering again. If you find soft brown or black tissue, cut each affected root back to firm healthy tissue with a clean tool and clean the tool between cuts. Discard the rot and repot the healthy roots in fresh airy mix.

Ficus altissima is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs, and avoid contact with its milky sap.
• The latex contains ficin and psoralens, which can irritate the mouth, digestive tract, skin and eyes.
• Exposure may cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, stomach pain or a skin rash. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or persist.

How the name Ficus altissima came about

Classical Latin ficus means fig. Altissima means ‘very tall’ or ‘highest’, referring to the species’ large tree habit.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Ficus in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1059; Joseph Pitton de Tournefort had proposed the name.

Carl Ludwig Blume first described Ficus altissima in 1825 in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, page 444.