Ficus rubiginosa 'Variegata' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

variegated Port Jackson fig

Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

A densely branched tropical tree, grown in temperate climates under glass or as a houseplant for its ornamental elliptical foliage 10-20cm (4-10in) long, variegated in mid-green and pale yellow. The leaves are covered on their undersides in down-like, rust-coloured hairs. The plant is capable of reaching 3m (10ft) grown indoors in containers.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–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): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Moraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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 under glass or as a houseplant in a peat-free, loam-based compost with added bark chippings, in full or filtered light. Water moderately and apply a high nitrogen fertiliser every four weeks during growth. Stop feeding and keep just moist over winter

Propagation

Propagate by air layering in spring or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus