Looking for a tropical-feeling indoor tree to brighten up your home? The genus Ficus (the figs) is a popular choice, but many species can be a little difficult to keep alive indoors. Luckily there’s an exception: Ficus ‘Alii’.
This long-leaved plant is known for being a lot more forgiving than most of its cousins (like the very popular fiddle leaf fig), making it the ideal choice if you don’t have a green thumb (yet).
Below, find out everything you need to know about Ficus ‘Alii’ and how to care for this popular houseplant.
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The houseplant we know as Ficus ‘Alii’ is a cultivar of a wild fig plant known scientifically as Ficus maclellandii. In their natural habitat, these trees can reach impressive heights and grow thick trunks. The ‘Alii’ variety, however, was cultivated specifically for indoor growing.
This houseplant is quite a looker. You can tell it apart from other species of Ficus by its more elongated leaves (up to 10 inches long on mature plants!), which hang down elegantly from the stems.
You’ll find Ficus ‘Alii’ for sale in two different shapes. One is a kind of cylindrical, bushy plant consisting of multiple stems bearing leaves from top to bottom. The other one is more “tree-shaped,” with one stem (or multiple braided together) and a tuft of leaves on top.
When searching for a Ficus ‘Alii’, you may come across a plant that looks very similar but bears a different name: Ficus ‘Amstel King’. This cultivar, which features larger leaves, was developed by a Dutch nursery using F. ‘Alii’ and was patented in 1993. Their care requirements are identical!
Wild Ficus maclellandii figs can be found in tropical areas in Southeast Asia and China, where they form part of the rainforest vegetation.
It’s not entirely clear how, who, and when, but it appears this plant was first cultivated on a commercial scale in the 1980s. This happened in Hawaii, an ideal place for houseplant cultivation thanks to its tropical climate. Here, growers added the name ‘Alii’, which refers to the traditional nobility of the Hawaiian islands.
(House)plant naming can be chaotic, and this is no exception. Today’s subject is often found for sale as Ficus binnendijkii ‘Alii’, which is interesting given that there aren’t actually any plant species in the genus Ficus called “binnendijkii”! The correct full name is Ficus maclellandii ‘Alii’.
Growing a healthy and productive alii ficus tree starts with proper pollination. The alii ficus is a popular variety of ficus renowned for its slender, graceful leaves and ability to thrive indoors. With the right pollination techniques, you can maximize your yield of delicious figs from these beautiful trees. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about pollinating your alii ficus tree and enjoying a bountiful harvest.
The alii ficus (Ficus binnendijkii ‘Alii’) is a cultivar of the banana-leaf fig tree native to tropical regions of Asia It’s an excellent choice for growing indoors due to its tolerance of less-than-ideal conditions Alii ficus trees can reach heights of 10-15 feet at maturity, with slender leaves that grow up to 12 inches long.
One of the most prized features of alii ficus trees are the small, edible figs they produce. Ensuring proper pollination is key for your tree to bear plenty of ripe, delicious figs you can harvest and enjoy.
Why Proper Pollination Matters
Like other varieties of ficus, the alii ficus is monoecious, meaning individual trees contain both male and female flowers For the female flowers to be successfully pollinated and produce figs containing seeds, pollen must be transferred from the male flowers to the female flowers.
Effective pollination provides several important benefits for your alii ficus tree:
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Increased yield – Proper pollination translates into higher numbers of viable seeds and larger, better quality figs.
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Fruit quality – Figs from well-pollinated flowers tend to taste better and be more flavorful.
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Genetic diversity – Pollination allows for cross-pollination between different trees, improving the health of future generations.
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Propagation – The seeds from pollinated figs enable you to propagate new alii ficus trees.
How to Pollinate Your Alii Ficus Tree
Pollinating your alii ficus is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Identify Male and Female Flowers
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Male alii ficus flowers grow in clusters on long stalks and contain anthers for releasing pollen.
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Female flowers have a shorter stalk leading to the ovary and stigma.
Step 2: Collect Pollen
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Collect pollen by shaking or gently brushing the male flowers.
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Use a small brush or cotton swab to gather pollen and transfer it to another container.
Step 3: Transfer Pollen to Female Flowers
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Use your pollen brush or swab to apply pollen directly to the stigma of female flowers.
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Gently sweep across the stigma to ensure maximum contact.
Step 4: Repeat as Needed
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Pollinate all accessible female flowers to achieve thorough pollination.
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Continue collecting pollen as needed.
Step 5: Monitor Fruit Development
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Watch for figs to grow after pollination and develop their ripe color.
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Well-pollinated flowers will produce larger, higher quality figs.
Step 6: Harvest and Propagate
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Pick ripe figs and extract seeds to propagate new trees.
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Store seeds in a cool, dry place until ready to plant.
Optimal Conditions for Pollination
Carrying out pollination during ideal conditions gives your alii ficus tree the best chance at producing an abundant fig harvest:
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Timing – Pollinate in the morning when flowers are open and most receptive.
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Temperature – Aim for temperatures between 65-85°F for successful pollination.
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Light – Ensure the tree receives adequate bright, indirect light.
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Air circulation – Good airflow allows pollen to spread effectively between flowers.
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Humidity – Maintain humidity around 60-65% for productive pollination.
Troubleshooting Common Pollination Problems
Here are some potential issues that may arise during pollination and how to address them:
Problem: Very few or no figs developing after pollination.
Solution: This likely indicates inadequate pollination. Ensure all female flowers receive enough pollen by repeating the process.
Problem: Small, underdeveloped figs.
Solution: Figs not reaching maturity points to suboptimal pollination. Use a pollen brush to thoroughly coat the stigmas.
Problem: Misshapen or split figs.
Solution: This occurs when pollination is uneven. Distribute pollen evenly across all parts of the stigma.
Problem: Figs rotting or falling off before ripening.
Solution: Improve air circulation and humidity levels as excess moisture can cause premature fig drop.
Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor
Putting in the effort to properly hand-pollinate your alii ficus will pay off in the form of a handsome, healthy tree loaded with plump, ripe figs. Pay close attention to pollination best practices and environmental conditions for your tree to reach its full fruiting potential.
The sweet, complex flavor of fresh-picked alii ficus figs is well worth the time invested in pollination. Share the delicious bounty with family and friends – as long as you save some seeds to propagate the next generation of productive trees!
With proper pollination techniques, you can expect your alii ficus tree to become a star performer, adding beauty to your indoor garden while providing an abundance of tasty figs to harvest. I hope these tips provide you with the knowledge you need to maximize your yield. The satisfaction of growing a flourishing, fruiting ficus tree starts with successful pollination.
Caring for Ficus ‘Alii’
This handsome Ficus isn’t demanding when it comes to light. I’ve kept mine in relatively dark corners for years and they’ve always done well enough. For the best growth, place your Ficus ‘Alii’ next to a window that doesn’t receive direct sun (like a north-facing one).
See more: Houseplants that don’t need a lot of light to thrive
Like many houseplants, your Ficus can be moved outdoors in summer. They love the extra light and grow like weeds outside, though it is important to place your plant in the shade to prevent leaf burn. Also, keep in mind that it will likely need more water than indoors.
As for temperature, I’ve mentioned that the wild version of this houseplant is naturally found in tropical regions in Asia. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t like the cold. It’ll stop growing when temps drop below 50°F and can start dropping leaves if things get even chillier than that. Frost will kill it outright.
As with most tropical plants, room temperature is actually perfect for your Ficus ‘Alii’. If you feel comfortable in your home, then you can safely assume your plant does as well.
One of the things that has made this indoor tree so popular is that it’s not quite as fussy as some of its cousins in the same genus. Take the common Ficus benjamina: It looks great, but it’s a drama queen that will drop its leaves if you wait just a little too long to water it (or if you dare to move it, for example).
Though you should still keep an eye on your plant, Ficus ‘Alii’ is a lot more forgiving. The best way to figure out whether your plant is thirsty is to just stick a finger in the soil. If it feels dry, you can give your plant a drink. If it still feels damp, it’s best to check again tomorrow.
In practice, you’ll usually end up watering about twice a week during summer. You can reduce this to once a week during winter, as your plant will be growing more slowly in the cooler months. The exact watering frequency depends on factors like light and temperature.
You don’t need a complicated or expensive soil mixture for a Ficus ‘Alii’. A normal, high-quality houseplant soil works absolutely fine, although I do recommend also mixing in a handful of perlite or fine orchid bark for added drainage.
If you feel like the soil tends to dry too quickly, you can consider adding some peat moss or coco coir to the mixture. And if you’ve got some compost or worm castings on hand, that’ll definitely help, though it’s by no means a must.
There’s no need for a special planter either, although you should always use a pot with a drainage hole in the bottom. In a closed container, excess water will have nowhere to go, which can cause the roots of your Ficus to rot. A saucer helps prevent leaking water from staining your windowsill.
This plant doesn’t mind being a little cramped, so you’ll usually only have to repot it every two to three years. If you notice the potting soil beginning to dry very quickly or if the roots are starting to poke out of the planter’s drainage hole, that’s a sign you should go up a pot size next spring. Don’t forget to also give your plant some fresh soil.
Recommended products for Ficus ‘Alii’ plant care:
This Ficus isn’t known for being a particularly quick grower, but it’ll still appreciate some extra nutrients during the spring and summer growing season. Consider applying a liquid houseplant fertilizer once or twice a month during watering.
There’s no need to use fertilizer during winter, as it can actually damage your plant when it’s not actively growing.
Recommended fertilizers for Ficus ‘Alii’:
You won’t have to do much in the way of pruning a Ficus ‘Alii’. Recently acquired plants can drop some of their leaves in response to the shock of being moved. You may remove any brown or crispy ones that haven’t fallen off by themselves.
If your Ficus does end up growing a bit unruly, you can take stem cuttings rather than just pruning it and throwing away the excess. This way, you get more plants to keep or sell.
Like most other types of indoor trees, Ficus ‘Alii’ isn’t really a great candidate for division. If yours outgrows its planter, it’s usually best to just repot it instead.
Want an extra Ficus ‘Alii’ for your own houseplant collection or to give away? If you’ve already got one, you can easily create more for free. Although this plant isn’t as easy or quick to propagate using the stem cutting method as some other types of Ficus, it doesn’t mean you can’t multiply yours.
Here’s how you propagate a Ficus ‘Alii’:
- Select a piece of stem at least 5 inches in length, preferably with a few leaves. Most specimens of ‘Alii’ have multiple tops, so you can behead one of these to acquire your cutting.
- Use a clean pair of pruning scissors to separate the stem from the mother plant. Remove any excess leaves from the bottom part.
- To propagate in water, place the piece of stem in a glass, making sure not to submerge any leaves. Set the cutting in a warm, bright location and wait.
- To propagate directly in soil, first dip the cutting in some rooting powder. Then, pop it in a planter with some suitable soil and set it in a warm and light spot.
- Be patient! Propagating houseplants can take a good bit of time, especially during the winter months.
If you’re propagating in water, the first roots should appear on your cutting within a few weeks. You can move your brand new Ficus to soil once these roots are a couple inches long.
If you opted for propagating in soil, it’s a little more difficult to see whether your propagation attempt was a success. You’ll know you’re in the clear when the cutting starts to produce its first new leaves.
How to fertilize Ficus Alii ?
FAQ
What is the best fertilizer for Ficus alii?
How do I make my ficus Alii bushy?
How do I make my ficus grow more branches?
How do I stop my ficus alii from dropping leaves?
What is a Ficus alii tree?
The botanical name of the plant is Ficus binnendiijkii ‘Alii’. The trunk of a mature Ficus Alii is usually bare and resembles a palm trunk. Ficus Alii trees grow slowly and like to be bound inside slightly smaller pots. This plant doesn’t have to worry much about pests other than scale insects and whiteflies.
How do you propagate a Ficus alii?
Here’s how you propagate a Ficus ‘Alii’: Select a piece of stem at least 5 inches in length, preferably with a few leaves. Most specimens of ‘Alii’ have multiple tops, so you can behead one of these to acquire your cutting. Use a clean pair of pruning scissors to separate the stem from the mother plant.
Is Ficus alii a finicky plant?
Although it is not a finicky plant, if the Ficus Alii doesn’t get enough water, it will start to shed its leaves. Being that this is not a plant you will find in nature if you are interested in adding one to your collection you will need to plan ahead. The summer or late spring is generally the best time to find this plant up for sale.
Do Ficus alii plants droop?
Under watered Ficus Alii plants will cause brittle leaves while one that is getting too much water will start to droop. It is easy to care for in every other regard. It is a good idea to repot your larger plants every other year. This is also a great time to consider propagating your ficus.