Large-leaved Ficus: September Houseplant of the Month
Ficus are well know for being strong indoor trees with hundreds of little leaves, but it’s also available with large leaves that instantly give the plant a totally different, more rugged silhouette. This green giant is perfect for bringing atmosphere to a room quickly as a statement plant.
Houseplants like ficuses with large leaves improve the air in your home by converting CO2 to oxygen. The large leaves also absorb particulates from the air and store
them in their roots where they are broken down and expelled. Furthermore, the green leaves improve the humidity in your home by evaporating moisture very gradually. That makes the Large-leaved Ficus a great plant for celebrating the start of the indoor season.
Origin
Ficus is the Latin name for the fig. Large-leaved Ficus is a member of the mulberry family, and grows in (sub-)tropical regions, mainly in Asia and Africa, but also in South America and Australia.
What to look for when buying Large-leafed Ficus
• Large-leaved Ficus is offered in various forms: branched, unbranched, single trunk, woven trunk or corkscrew.
• A bush shape or clump involves several plants in a pot.
• The number of heads per trunk or trunks per pot, the pruned shape and whether the plant has aerial roots affect the price.
• All forms of large-leaved ficus must be well-rooted and sufficiently hardened.
• Large-leaved Ficus must be free of scale insects and mealybug at the time of purchase.
Assortment Ficus
Ficus lyrata is available as an indoor bush and as a standard tree, and has shiny leaves that resemble a violin. The large, eye-catching veins that bring texture to the leaves particularly stand out.
Ficus elastica has smooth dark green leaves with fine veins that are marked like a feather and reach a length of around 25 cm. It grow straight up and therefore does not take up much space despite the large leaves.
Ficus binnendijkii 'Alii' and 'Amstel King' mainly have long leaves that are not wide, but do hang down decoratively. Available as a green pillar and as a standard with a full crown.
Ficus Cyathistipula has dark green shiny leaves, can produce figs from an early age, and is a heavily branched potential indoor giant that climbs upwards along a stake and therefore grows attractively upright.
Care tips for customers
• Ficus can tolerate either a light spot or partial shade, but not full sun.
• It's better not to move it frequently. Getting used to a new spot demands a lot of energy from the Ficus.
• If the plant is in danger of growing crooked, turn it a quarter turn every day.
• The soil should be slightly damp at all times. Large-leaved Ficus can cope with less water in winter.
• Give some food once every two weeks.
• A quick shower or standing outside in summer rain will enhance both the plant and the leaves.
• Treat the plant to a larger pot and fresh potting soil once a year to keep Large-leaved Ficus in top condition and maintain its growth.
Sales and display tips
Large-leaved Ficus looks best if the plant can stand free against a light background so that the focus really is on the large leaves. Adjust the lighting so that it falls on the front to highlight the plant’s shine and markings. Display the plant in a cachepot to create an instant domestic mood and remove the impediment of having to find a pot for this green giant as well. Displaying the inspiration image that can be downloaded below nearby also helps to encourage sales.
Images of Large-leaved Ficus
You can download and use the images below free of charge if you credit Thejoyofplants.co.uk.
Instagram: @thejoyofplants
Facebook: @thejoyofplants
Twitter: @thejoyofplants
For more information about the 2019 Houseplants of the Month selection, click here.
Posters Large-leaved Ficus
You can download the poster using the link below:
