Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
Moraceae
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
Fig
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
VAT included · plus
Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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28-day plant guarantee, if a plant arrives damaged or fails soon after delivery, we help you make it right.
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Care at a glance
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
Watering
Water when ~50–70% dry
Substrate
Aerated • Moisture-buffered • Balanced organic + mineral • Medium
Temperature
Ideal: 18–24 °C • Avoid below: 15 °C
Humidity
Moist 50–60 %
Growth habit
Upright woody shrub or tree.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height: 200 cm • Max. spread: 90 cm
Toxicity & safety
Mildly toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Ficus altissima; species native from southern China to tropical Asia
Outdoor growing
Outside from 15 °C · sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' – variegated lofty fig for modern interiors
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' is a colourful, variegated cultivar of Ficus altissima Blume, a large evergreen species native to Southeast Asia. In the wild, lofty fig often begins life as an epiphyte on palms and other trees, eventually sending down roots that envelop and displace its host. It is also known to grow as a lithophyte, clinging to rock faces or even urban structures. While the species can reach immense proportions outdoors, 'Yellow Gem' has been adapted into a manageable ornamental plant for interior spaces, prized for its vibrant foliage and architectural growth.
Distinctive features of Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
- Leaves: Glossy, elliptic to ovate leaves with striking yellow-green variegation along the margins.
- Growth habit: Upright and tree-like in form, with strong branches and smooth bark.
- Evergreen: Keeps its bold foliage year-round when grown indoors under stable conditions.
- Decorative value: A showpiece houseplant with a bright, contemporary look.
Natural background
In its native range across Southeast Asia, Ficus altissima is a keystone tree of tropical ecosystems, often forming massive shade canopies. Because of its vigorous roots and sheer size, it is not suited to small urban landscapes outdoors. As a container plant, however, 'Yellow Gem' becomes a striking ornamental, combining the wild character of the species with refined variegated foliage suited to homes and offices.
Care instructions for Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
- Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light; some direct morning sun enhances variegation.
- Temperature: Ideal range is 18 – 28 °C; avoid temperatures below 12 °C.
- Watering: Allow the top 2 – 3 cm of soil to dry before watering again; dislikes sitting in water.
- Humidity: Average room humidity is fine, though higher humidity enhances foliage quality.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix enriched with perlite or bark for aeration.
- Fertilizer: Feed every 4 – 6 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
- Pruning: Can be trimmed to maintain a compact shape or trained into a small indoor tree.
Common issues to monitor
- Leaf drop: Often triggered by sudden changes in light or watering schedule.
- Scorched foliage: Too much direct midday sun may burn the variegated areas.
- Pests: Can attract scale insects or spider mites if stressed indoors.
Why it’s a favourite among collectors
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' offers a unique alternative to more common Ficus elastica or Ficus benjamina cultivars. Its sunny variegation brightens interiors, while its strong growth habit ensures a long-lasting, tree-like presence indoors. For enthusiasts of tropical figs, 'Yellow Gem' is both visually bold and remarkably adaptable.
Etymology
The genus name Ficus comes from the Latin word for “fig” or “fig tree,” recorded since c. 1400. Carl Linnaeus formally adopted it in 1753 to classify this extensive genus of tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs. The species epithet altissima means “the tallest,” a nod to the towering stature this fig can achieve in the wild.
Add Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' to your collection
If you’re looking for a bold statement plant with bright variegated leaves and strong presence, Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' is an excellent choice. Order today and let this tropical fig bring colour and structure to your home or office.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
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Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
Sale price€95,00
FAQs about Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
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