Ficus 'Velvet'

RHS Plant Profile

fig 'Velvet'

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Houseplants Trees

A robust, upright tree to 2m, with velvety, rust-coloured stems and thick, leathery leaves, glossy when young, and with bronze-tinted veins. A good houseplant for a bright spot

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Moraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Ficus can be evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers, with often leathery, simple, entire or lobed leaves and tiny flowers borne within a hollow receptacle which enlarges to form the fruit
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water moderately during the growing season and apply a high-nitrogen fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. See ornamental fig cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or air layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required, but overly long shoots may be shortened in late winter

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus