Ficus alii in pot
Ficus alii leaves
Ficus alii in kokedama
Fruits of Ficus alii
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Ficus alii, the little sword-leaf fig tree
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
In Polynesia, Alii means chief or king. In botany, this term designates a cultivar of Ficus maclellandii. Small in size and easy to grow, Ficus alii is the variety most frequently found on the market.
How to recognize Ficus maclellandii 'Alii'?
Ficus alii is 1.5 m high and 1 m wide. It is an evergreen shrub with an upright habit.
In garden centers and florists, Ficus alii is sometimes sold with several trunks woven together. In reality, the plant has a single, woody trunk.
Its lanceolate leaves are narrower than those of ficus maclellandii. They are barely 2.5 centimetres wide and eight to fifteen centimetres long. The leathery, drooping blades are shiny green.
Ficus alii produces small green berries, inside which are flowers. But these cannot be fertilized. This is because the wasp responsible for pollination lives only in certain regions of Asia. After a few weeks, the berries stop growing and fall off.
Ficus alii sap contains a latex that is irritating to us and our pets. Remember to keep your shrub out of reach of dogs, cats, rabbits and young children.
Our maintenance tips
Ficus maclellandii 'Alii don't like change. Once yours has been installed away from draughts, don't move it again. It could lose its leaves.
Watering
Before watering, make sure the substrate is two or three centimetres dry by dipping your fingers into the soil. If this is the case, moisten the root ball with non-calcareous water at room temperature.
To avoid drowning the roots, don't leave stagnant water in the dish.
Spray
Mist foliage to increase humidity and repel pests. Always spray with rainwater. Tap water is too hard and leaves white marks on the leaves.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
In a pierced pot larger than the previous one, place a bed of clay balls, gravel or pebbles. Cover with the substrate. You can mix a special potting soil for green plants or houseplants with sand or compost.
Remove your plant from its container. To help the roots take hold, gently loosen the root bun. Plant in the center of the pot and top up with potting soil.
To improve humidity, place the pot on a dish filled with moist clay balls.
To improve humidity, place the pot on a dish filled with moist clay balls.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Add nutrients with a green plant fertilizer.
Cleaning
Over time, dust accumulates on the leaves, slowing down photosynthesis. To remove it, clean the foliage with a clean, damp sponge.
Prune
Trim your Ficus maclellandii 'Alii', whatever its size, to make it denser. Use a clean, sharp tool. Shorten each branch by at least five centimetres, cutting above a healthy leaf. Remove dead branches too.
Caution! Sap is toxic. Wear gloves for protection.
Plantation
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.
Choose a sunny location sheltered from the wind.
Start by digging a hole two or three times as wide as the root ball. Leave the root ball to soak while you work.
Place some compost at the bottom of the hole. If your soil is heavy, add some pebbles to facilitate drainage. Plant your plant in the middle and fill in with a mixture of soil, potting mix and sand. Take care not to bury the collar.
Dig a trough around the shrub and water. The water will compact the soil and eliminate air pockets.
If you want to limit weed growth and preserve moisture, mulch the base of your plant with organic matter.
Cutting
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
To take cuttings from your Ficus alii, use a clean, sharp tool such as pruning shears to remove a branch about fifteen centimetres long.
Remove the leaves from the base, leaving only a few at the top. You can dip the other end in cuttings hormone.
Immerse your cutting in a clear glass filled with clear water at room temperature. Make sure the nodes are submerged: they are the ones that will give rise to the roots.
Choose a bright spot, away from direct sunlight and draughts.
Don't forget to change the water regularly to keep it clean.
Choose a bright spot, away from direct sunlight and draughts.
Don't forget to change the water regularly to keep it clean.
Diseases / Threats
Information
| Family | Moraceae - Moraceae |
| Type | Ficus - Ficus |
| Species | Saber-leaf fig - Ficus maclellandii |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Exposures | |
| Substrats | |
| Planting methods |
Open ground In pots In tubs |
| Categories | |
| Tags |
Beginner Fritillary Toxic |
| Origins |
South Asia Southeast Asia |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 10b |
| Leaf color |
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| Fruit color |
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