Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'

Cultivar background and tropical Asian origin

'Yellow Gem' is a named cultivar of Ficus altissima, grown for its irregular yellow-edged leaves. 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 yellow-edged foliage

• Light for the yellow margins: Keep 'Yellow Gem' in lots of bright filtered light. Increase direct sun slowly so the pale parts of new leaves can adjust to the stronger light.
• Water: Soak the mix once the surface has dried slightly and the pot feels lighter, then allow all excess water to escape.
• Feeding: Feed at the label rate while patterned leaves and new shoots are developing. Pause when growth stops and resume when new growth starts again.
• Propagation: Propagate 'Yellow Gem' by air layering. Wear gloves when making cuts because Ficus sap can irritate skin.
• Potting mix: Use a loose blend with bark and perlite or pumice. It should stay slightly moist after watering and drain freely.
• Room conditions: Keep the plant warm and stable, away from cold draughts and strong dry heat. Ordinary room air is usually humid enough.
• Shape: The central stem becomes self-supporting as it matures. Stake a young leaning plant temporarily and shorten an overlong branch just above a leaf when shaping.
• Repotting: Choose a slightly larger pot when roots are crowded or the old mix has compacted and started draining unevenly.

Troubleshooting Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'

• A branch keeps opening fully green leaves: The yellow pattern has been lost on that shoot. If several leaves in a row are fully green, remove the shoot at its base to keep the yellow pattern across most of the plant.
• The yellow edge develops tan, crisp patches: Sudden hot sun or a root ball that has dried out badly can damage the pale parts first. Move the plant away from the hottest glass, water thoroughly if needed and increase direct sun gradually again.
• Whole leaves yellow and the mix stays wet: Slide the root ball out and inspect it. Remove every soft dark root back to firm healthy tissue with a clean tool, cleaning the tool between cuts. Throw away the decayed material and repot the healthy root system in fresh free-draining mix.
• Pale speckles, webbing, cottony insects or hard brown bumps appear: Check for spider mites, mealybugs or scale and keep the plant separate while you identify the problem. If treatment is needed, choose a product labelled for that pest on indoor ornamental plants and repeat it as directed on the label.

Ficus altissima ‘Yellow Gem’ 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.

About the name Ficus altissima

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.