If you are looking for a large, elegant houseplant that is a statement piece, you can’t go wrong with the Ficus genus. Although these trees are capable of reaching immense sizes in the wild, they generally do not exceed 10 feet tall in our homes. One of my favorites is Ficus altissima (which you may have heard referred to as a council tree), a species found naturally in Southeast Asia.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the council tree, its care requirements and how to ensure yours thrives in your home!
| Common names | Council tree, lofty fig, false banyan |
| scientific name | A very tall fig tree |
| Family | moraceae |
| Height and extension | Up to 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide (indoors) |
| Light | full sun |
| soil type | Well draining |
| Water | Let the soil dry halfway. |
Disclosure: If you shop my article or make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive commissions on some of the products I recommend.
About Ficus altissima
Description
Ficus altissima is an evergreen tree with thick, oval leaves in shades of dark green, with a lighter vein in the middle. Its foliage has been described as having an almost “sticky” appearance (but in a good way!).
The young plants you’ll find for sale at your local plant store usually have a single trunk with some aerial roots, but mature Ficus altissima trees in the wild can have multiple stems. They have thick aerial roots that reach down to the ground and their stems sometimes take on an almost trellised appearance.
Did you know?
In nature, Ficus trees like this one are pollinated by specific species of wasps. In this case, the (small) pollinating wasp is named after its host: Eupristina altissima.
Natural habitat
Like most Ficus species we grow as houseplants, F. altissima is found naturally in Asia. It was first described in 1826 in Java, but can actually be found in much of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and more.
Ficus altissima is part of a subgenus of Ficus called Urostigma. Its members are also known as banyans or strangler figs. They are characterized by beginning their lives growing on other trees, often without any direct contact with the ground.
Many plants are capable of growing on other plants (usually trees) without negatively affecting their host. (This happens with epiphytes such as Monstera delicious, Syngonium podophyllum, Hoya carnosa and Peperomia prostrata).
But… Ficus altissima is not one of them! It uses its victim as support, wrapping itself around the trunk until it is large enough to continue its life independently. By this time, the original tree is usually almost completely covered and usually dies due to lack of light and nutrients.
It’s quite an aggressive lifestyle for a species that is closely related to the ubiquitous fig tree with its delicious fruits! Luckily, at home it is not necessary to sacrifice any innocent plants for your Ficus altissima to grow.
Did you know?
Ficus altissima is sometimes used as a landscaping tree, although it is not really suitable for cities. Their very large root systems can eventually damage buildings and infrastructure. Unfortunately, it is now considered an invasive species in some places, such as parts of Florida.
The tallest varieties of figs
If you want to add a Ficus altissima to your houseplant collection, you can choose between wild-type (green leaves) and variegated (veined leaves) versions.
I’ve seen variegated cultivars called ‘Golden Gem’ and ‘Yellow Gem’, but I’m pretty sure they’re the same thing.
where to buy
The fig trees are the tallest.
Caring for Ficus altissima
Light and temperature
Houseplant enthusiasts sometimes struggle to keep their Ficus trees alive, and much of this seems to be the result of confusion over light. Ficus altissima, like many of its cousins, is often recommended for locations in the home that receive bright indirect light.
But think about it: In nature, these tall trees are attacked daily by the tropical sun. They have not evolved to conform to low light levels!
Therefore, I highly recommend placing your Ficus right in front of the sunniest window you can offer. A plant that receives enough light will be much more resistant, in addition to being more forgiving of errors in watering.
In most regions, a Ficus altissima can even be placed outdoors during the summer months, allowing it to absorb as much sun as possible. Be sure to acclimate your tree over the course of a few weeks, because a plant moved from an indoor space directly into the summer sun can end up with leaf burn.
In terms of temperature, it is a tropical place, so it is not used to the cold. Room temperature and above are perfect. If you feel comfortable in your home, your plant should be fine too.
A Ficus altissima grown outdoors during the warm months should be brought back indoors when night temperatures reach 60°F. Any more cold and the tree may begin to lose its leaves.
Soil and planting
Like most tropical houseplants, Ficus altissima likes the soil to be slightly moist at all times. However, it really doesn’t tolerate sopping! The right soil mix retains a small amount of water, but allows excess moisture to drain easily to prevent root rot.
Regular, high-quality houseplant soil with a few handfuls of perlite added should work well for this species. If you feel that the soil dries out too quickly, you can add some sphagnum moss. For soil that stays moist for a long time, a cup of orchid bark may be helpful.
As for the pot, a Ficus altissima does not care about the type of container as long as it has a hole in the bottom. Personally, I recommend a relatively wide pot for larger specimens, as they can be prone to falling over in narrower ones.
Recommended products for caring for Ficus altissima plants:
Water and humidity
As mentioned, Ficus altissima likes (very) slightly moist soil, but does not tolerate its feet staying wet for long periods. Therefore, it is best to avoid watering on a regular weekly schedule. Instead, stick a finger into the soil to measure the moisture level before watering. This way, you will know if your plant is really thirsty or doesn’t need to drink anything yet.
You can water once half of the soil feels dry. If it is still wet, it is better to wait another day or two. And don’t forget that our houseplants usually need much less water during the winter than during the warm, bright summer months!
fertilize
Ficus altissima likes a little fertilizer during the growing season (spring to late summer). You can apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once or twice a month according to the instructions on the bottle.
Recommended fertilizers for Ficus altissima:
Pruning
Indoor trees like this one do not need to be pruned regularly to grow properly. You can prune yours if you feel that the branches have grown out of control, but it is not mandatory.
It is normal for a healthy houseplant to slowly lose its lower leaves as new ones grow on top. You can remove dead leaves from your Ficus altissima once they are crisp, which means the plant has reabsorbed all the nutrients it can from them.
Divide or transplant
Like other types of indoor trees, Ficus altissima doesn’t tend to produce suckers, so it’s not really a suitable candidate for division (although you can propagate it; see the next section below).
Instead, it is best to repot the plant approximately every two years. You can do this during the spring, right at the beginning of the growing season. If your Ficus has outgrown its current pot, you can increase the size of a pot. If you still have a lot of space, simply changing the soil is fine.
Propagating the Tall Ficus
Propagation – a fancy word for creating new houseplants for free! Although propagating woody plants like Ficus trees can be a little more difficult than soft-stemmed species (they definitely take longer to root), it is still possible to multiply yours at home.
Taking cuttings from the tips of branches gives you the best chance of propagation success. Use clean pruning shears to remove a cutting that measures at least 4 to 5 inches, preferably with some leaves.
Once you have obtained your cutting, you can propagate it in water or soil. For propagation in water, place the stem in a small vase or glass of water and place it in front of a window that does not receive direct sun. The first roots should appear in a few weeks. You can move the cutting into the ground once the root system is about 2 inches long.
If you prefer to propagate directly in soil, I recommend dipping the cutting in some rooting powder before placing it in a Ficus-appropriate medium. Place the container with your cutting in a warm, bright place and be patient; It may take a few months for the cutting to root and the first new leaves to appear.
For larger cuttings, it may be helpful to look into a propagation method called air layering. Increase the chances of success with the woodier parts of a plant.
Is Ficus altissima toxic to dogs and cats?
This plant is slightly toxic. If ingested by your pet, the white latex-like sap present on the leaves, stems, and roots can cause gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea), as well as irritation to the mouth and mucous membranes.
It is best to keep Ficus altissima out of your pet’s reach. If it manages to bite, offer it plenty of water and stay alert for the next 24 hours. If you’re concerned, consider calling your veterinarian to ask what the best course of action is, but serious problems are virtually unheard of.
Sources:
- https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:852369-1
- Peng, Y.Q., Duan, Z.B., Yang, D.R., and Rasplus, J.Y. (2008). Co-occurrence of two Eupristina species on Ficus altissima in Xishuangbanna, southwest China. Symbiosis.
