Ficus longifolia

Common Name:
Narrow Leaf Fig, Long Leaf Fig, Sabre Fig, Banana Leaf Fig

Description:
Ficus longifolia, commonly known as the Narrow Leaf Fig, is an evergreen ornamental tree native to Brazil. It is prized for its slender, glossy green leaves and graceful, weeping growth habit. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate part shade, making it suitable for indoor environments. It prefers well-draining, moist soil and benefits from regular watering, allowing the topsoil to dry out between waterings. In Melbourne's climate, it performs exceptionally well as a potted plant or indoor feature, growing to approximately 1.5 meters in height. Flowering is rare in indoor settings; however, in optimal outdoor conditions, it may produce small, inconspicuous green flowers followed by red fruit in autumn.

Form:

• Tree – Small

• Shrub – Large (when container-grown or pruned)

Mature Size:

• Height:

  • Up to 1.5 m indoors

  • Up to 4 m in open ground

• Width:

  • Up to 2 m indoors

  • Up to 4 m in open ground

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

• Indoors / Well lit

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring (inconspicuous)

Flower Colour:

• Green (insignificant)

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Pots

• Drought Tolerant (once established)

• Suitable for Hedging

• Suitable for Topiary

• Perennial

• Air Purifying

• Fast Growing

• Low Maintenance

• Not Frost Hardy

Toxicity:

• Toxic to humans and pets if ingested; may cause gastrointestinal discomfort

• Sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals

Companion Plants:

• Monstera deliciosa

• Dracaena marginata

• Philodendron 'Xanadu'

• Aspidistra elatior

• Ficus elastica