Small Leaved Fig Tree

Small Leaved Fig (Ficus obliqua) is an Australian rainforest fig that settles at about 12m tall and 12m wide in a garden, casting the kind of dense shade a lawn tree never manages. The leaves are small and glossy, the canopy is evergreen, and the little figs feed birds for months. It is a big tree with a vigorous root system, so it needs to be placed with care.

Why you'll love it

• Deep shade over a wide area. A spread of around 12m covers a whole backyard or a car park bay, and the small leaves make litter easy to live with.
• A native that feeds wildlife. Figs ripen over a long window and draw in fig birds, currawongs and flying foxes.
• Tough once established. Drought tolerant, salt tolerant and comfortable in humidity, which is a rare combination in a shade tree of this size.
• It takes a hard clip. Regular shearing turns it into a tall formal screen or hedge instead of a spreading tree.

Where it works best

Shade trees and parkland. Best on an acreage, a large backyard or a commercial site with room for the canopy. Allow at least 10m from any building, pipe, pool or paved surface.

Screening. Plant 5m apart for a tall screen, then clip the sides twice a year to hold a green wall well above fence height.

Coastal and feature planting. Salt tolerance suits it to exposed coastal properties, and a single specimen with a clean trunk makes a genuine landmark tree.

Growing Small Leaved Fig in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and plenty of room. It belongs in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and it takes light frost only, so cold inland and southern districts are not suitable.

Soil. Adaptable to most soils, including sandy coastal ground, and it is drought tolerant once the roots are down. Improve the planting bed with compost and mulch 75mm deep.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then reduce as it establishes. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough, and mature trees rarely need feeding at all.

Pruning. It reshoots readily from old wood, so it tolerates heavy reduction and formal clipping. Lift the lower limbs to walk beneath it, and prune in the warm months when wounds seal fastest.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow it in 200mm pots sold in packs of six, and as single 45L, 100L, 200L and 1000L specimens. The 200mm plants are young and cheap enough to plant a screen line, taking several years to reach useful height. From 100L upwards you are buying a tree with a formed trunk and immediate presence.

Some leaf drop after transit is normal for a fig, not a fault. Growth is quick once established in warm weather, and slower through a cool winter or a dry spell. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to grow and care for figs and ficus
• Compare the full ficus range
• Browse fast growing shade trees
• Australian native trees for large gardens

Common questions

How far from the house should I plant it?

At least 10m, and further if you can manage it. The roots are aggressive and will find pipes, pool shells, paving and footings, so this is a tree for open ground rather than a suburban courtyard.

Can I keep it small?

Yes, with commitment. Clipped twice a year it holds as a tall hedge or screen, but the root system keeps growing at full vigour regardless of what you do to the top.

Does it drop a lot of fruit?

It produces small figs in quantity, and what the birds miss lands underneath. Keep it away from driveways, pool surrounds and outdoor seating if staining bothers you.