Ficus maclellandii
Ficus Alii
South and southeast Asia (India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, southern China); lowland forest
Overview
Ficus maclellandii is an evergreen tree from south and southeast Asia, sold most commonly under the cultivar name 'Alii' in the houseplant trade. The plant grows 30–60 feet (9–18 m) in tropical native range and 36–96 inches (90–240 cm) under indoor culture. Leaves are 5–10 inches (12.5–25 cm) long and 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) wide, narrow lance-shaped, glossy mid- to dark-green with a tapered drip-tip, arranged on slender weeping branches. The narrow leaf shape and the willow-like cascading habit separate F. maclellandii from the broader-leaved F. benjamina. The latex sap exuded from cut stems and leaves contains ficin and is toxic to dogs, cats, and humans if ingested, with skin contact causing irritation in sensitive individuals. Indoor plants drop fewer leaves following relocation than F. benjamina — typically 5–15% versus 30–60% — and are slower to establish in a new position. Outdoor mature trees in tropical zones 10–12 produce small green fig syconia 0.4 inch (1 cm) that ripen to red. Cold-tender: leaf damage occurs below 50°F (10°C) and tree death below 28°F (−2°C). Growth rate is moderate — 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) per year indoors with adequate light. Common indoor pests include scale, mealybug, and spider mite.
Native Range
Native to lowland subtropical and tropical forests of India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, southern China, and southeast Asia. The 'Alii' cultivar — sold as Ficus Alii — was selected from cultivated stock in Hawaii in the 1980s and propagated through tissue culture for the houseplant trade.Suggested Uses
Grown as an indoor specimen tree in temperate climates, where the typical mature size is 4–8 feet (120–240 cm) in a 5–15 gallon (20–55 liter) container. Used outdoors in tropical zones 10–12 as a hedge, screen, or specimen tree. The narrow weeping leaves and reduced reactivity to environmental change support use in office and lobby plantscaping where F. benjamina would drop excessive foliage.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 8'
Width/Spread2' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Indoor plants rarely flower. Outdoor mature trees in tropical zones 10–12 produce small green fig syconia 0.4 inch (1 cm) sporadically through the year, ripening to red over 2–4 weeks. Pollination by host-specific fig wasps is required for fertile seeds; the wasps are absent outside the native range, so cultivated trees outside south Asia produce sterile fruit only.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy mid- to dark-green narrow lance-shaped 5-10 inches (12.5-25 cm) long, 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) wide; willow-likeGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in bright indirect light at 60–80°F (16–27°C). Direct midday sun in summer scorches indoor leaves, while light below 200 foot-candles (2,150 lux) reduces growth to a near halt. Watering occurs when the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of potting mix have dried — typically every 7–10 days in active growth and every 14–21 days in winter. Air humidity 40–60% reduces leaf-tip browning. The 'Alii' cultivar is less reactive to environmental change than F. benjamina and drops fewer leaves following relocation. Plants are re-potted every 2–3 years into a container 2 inches (5 cm) larger than the root ball.Pruning
Pruning is performed in spring at the start of active growth. Stems are cut to maintain height and shape; cuts above a leaf node trigger branching from dormant buds within 4–8 weeks. Each cut releases white latex sap, which dries within 1–2 hours and seals naturally. Tip cuttings of 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) root in moist potting mix or water within 4–8 weeks.Pruning Schedule
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spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons