Ficus Microcarpa "Ficus Nitida" 40Liter

🌳 Ficus microcarpa – Ficus Nitida / Indian Laurel Fig

Botanical Name: Ficus microcarpa (syn. Ficus nitida)
Common Names: Ficus Nitida, Indian Laurel Fig, Chinese Banyan, Curtain Fig, Laurel Fig

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📌 Product Description

Ficus microcarpa, widely known as Ficus Nitida or Indian Laurel Fig, is a fast-growing evergreen tree prized for its dense canopy, glossy dark green leaves, and excellent screening ability. Its compact growth and tolerance to shaping make it one of the most popular choices for formal hedges, privacy screens, and avenue planting.

This hardy tree thrives in warm South African climates, particularly in coastal, subtropical, and frost-free temperate regions. It can be maintained as a neat hedge or allowed to grow into a large shade tree.

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📏 Size When Fully Grown

• Height: 8 – 15 m (if grown as a tree)
• Spread: 6 – 10 m
• Hedge Height: Easily maintained at 2 – 4 m with pruning
• Growth Habit: Upright, dense evergreen tree
• Growth Rate: Fast

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🌱 Best Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-draining soil; adaptable to sandy, loamy, and clay soils
• Water:
  • Regular watering during establishment
  • Moderately drought-tolerant once established
• Feeding: Balanced fertiliser in spring and summer
• Maintenance:
  • Regular pruning for hedging and shaping
  • Strong root system — avoid planting too close to buildings or paving
  • Responds well to trimming and topiary shaping

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🌦️ Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)

• Best Planting Time: Spring or early summer
• Growing Season: Spring and summer
• Climate Suitability: Coastal, subtropical, and frost-free temperate regions
• Frost Tolerance: Sensitive to heavy frost when young; tolerates light frost once established

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🌼 Additional Benefits

• Excellent dense privacy hedge
• Evergreen with glossy foliage
• Fast-growing and easy to shape
• Provides shade when grown as a tree
• Suitable for commercial and residential landscaping

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🌿 Ideal Uses

✔ Privacy hedges and screening
✔ Boundary planting
✔ Avenue or shade tree
✔ Formal topiary shaping
✔ Large residential and commercial landscapes