Ficus maclellandii ‘Amstel King’

Origin and selection history of Ficus maclellandii ‘Amstel King’

Ficus maclellandii is a tree from wet tropical habitats, native from Assam through Bangladesh and mainland Southeast Asia to Yunnan and Peninsular Malaysia.

‘Amstel King’ was discovered as a mutation in a greenhouse planting of Ficus maclellandii in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. It was propagated from rooted cuttings, which retained its strong branching, long leaves and red-tinted new growing tips.

Supporting steady indoor growth in Ficus maclellandii ‘Amstel King’

• Branching and light: Give the whole crown bright indirect light. If one branch grows beyond the shape you want, shorten it just above an outward-facing leaf node so the new growth opens away from the centre and light can still reach the inner branches.
• Water: Rewater after the surface has dried and the container feels lighter. Soak the potting mix thoroughly and let the pot drain completely.
• Potting mix: Use an open houseplant mix with bark and pumice or another coarse component so the mix wets evenly and drains freely.
• Leaf care: Wipe visible dust from the long leaves with a soft damp cloth.
• Feeding: ‘Amstel King’ needs little fertiliser indoors. For an established plant, two applications of a balanced houseplant fertiliser a year are generally enough; follow the label dose.
• Temperature and humidity: For steady indoor growth, aim for about 18–28 °C. Moderately humid room air helps new leaves open cleanly.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container tightly, drainage becomes sluggish or the plant needs watering again unusually soon.
• Propagation: Stem cuttings can be rooted to grow new ‘Amstel King’ plants. Air layering also works on established woody branches.

When Ficus maclellandii ‘Amstel King’ starts to struggle

• Leaf tips become brown and crisp: Dry roots, hot air or fertiliser salts building up in the mix can cause this pattern. Check how wet the potting mix is first; water thoroughly if dry, or flush the mix with plain water when moisture is normal and feeding has been frequent.
• New shoots grow thin with long bare sections: The crown needs stronger light. Increase the window light in stages and check whether the next shoots grow with leaves closer together.
• Green leaves drop after a move or exposure to cold airflow: A sudden change in its surroundings is the likely trigger. Keep the plant in a stable warm position and maintain a consistent watering rhythm.
• Leaves yellow and tiny white insects rise when the plant is disturbed: Ficus whiteflies may be feeding underneath the leaves. Isolate the plant, clean the undersides where practical, then use a product labelled for whiteflies on indoor ornamentals at the treatment interval stated on the label.

Ficus maclellandii ‘Amstel King’ 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 maclellandii

Classical Latin ficus means fig. Maclellandii honours naturalist John McClelland.

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

George King first described Ficus maclellandii in 1887 in Annals of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta, volume 1, page 52.