How to Grow and Care for Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' Indoors
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Botanical name: Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
Family: Moraceae
Common names: Ficus Yellow Gem, Council Tree, Lofty Fig
Description
Ficus Yellow Gem (Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem') also called Council Tree or Lofty Fig is an evergreen, tree-like plant which bears glossy, oval leaves with green and bright yellow variegation and lighter veining.
Council Tree has a high tolerance to drought conditions but prefers high humidity conditions to thrive. It is considered much easier to grow indoors than its cousin Fiddle Leaf Fig.
A young Ficus Yellow Gem is difficult to distinguish from Ficus Audrey as it lacks variegation. However, the leaves in Audrey are more rounded while those of Yellow Gem are more pointed.
Size
Lofty Fig can grow to a height of 100 ft and 30 ft wide in its native habit but indoors it grows to 6 ft high and 2 ft wide.
Origin
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' is native to Southeast Asia where it grows as an epiphyte on trees by means of aerial roots.
Where to Buy
Healthy Ficus Yellow Gem are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Ficus Yellow Gems (Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem') from Etsy.
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' Care Indoors
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' thrives in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Council Tree requires regular pruning to maintain it neat as well as rejuvenate growth. Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound. Continue reading for a detailed account on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Ficus Yellow Gem grows best in bright light with 4 hours of direct morning or late afternoon sunlight.
Avoid exposing the plant to hot direct sunlight as it can cause sunscorch (brown) marks on the leaves and eventual leaf drop.
Council Tree can adapt to lower light conditions but it will grow much slower and may lose its variegation. If light is too little it may cause yellowing and leaf drop.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.
Where natural lighting is insufficient Lofty Fig can grow under a grow light.
Watering
Water Ficus Yellow Gem liberally during the growing season until water comes out through the drainage holes and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Lessen watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to leaf drop and root-rot.
Use room temperature water to water the plant as cold water can cause reduced growth and leaf drop.
Council Tree is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Use only chlorine-free water to water the plant to avoid spots on the leaves.
Temperature
The best temperature for growing Ficus Yellow Gem indoors is an average warmth within the range of 16-260C.
Keep Lofty Fig away from drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as they can cause leaf drop.
Humidity
Average room humidity is ideal for Ficus Yellow Gem. However, if the air is too dry especially where temperature is high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestation.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Ficus Yellow Gem every 4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for lush growth.
Do not feed Council Tree during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Ficus Yellow Gem at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become root-bound. Repotting every 2-3 years is adequate for this plant.
Avoid frequent repotting as it prefers to be pot-bound. Repot only when it has outgrown its current pot; when roots begin to grow through the drainage holes.
Use a pot 1-2 sizes larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it can result in leaf drop and root-rot.
For a large Council Tree which may be difficult to handle, annually replenish the top 2-4 in. of soil with fresh soil while taking care not to injure the roots.
Soil
Ficus Yellow Gem soil should be rich in organic matter and well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Buy quality potting mix for Council Tree from Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Ficus Yellow Gem is easy. Remove dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations.
When Council Tree has reached maximum height or it has become leggy, cut back the branches to rejuvenate growth and also encourage a bushy, compact growth. Use the foliage emanating from the pruning to propagate new plants.
Propagation
Ficus Yellow Gem can be propagated during the growing season by air layering or by stem and stem-tip cuttings.
How to Propagate Ficus Yellow Gem by Air Layering
Air layering involves notching the stem of a healthy Ficus Yellow Gem and coating the notch with a rooting hormone.
Surround the notched area with damp moss and cover the notch with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.
Once the roots have formed, sever the stem just below the covered part. Remove the polythene or plastic wrap and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist well-drained soil.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. New shoots will sprout from the shortened stem of the old plant into a beautiful bushy plant.
Place the new Council Tree in a warm, brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist until the plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to Propagate Ficus Yellow Gem from stem cuttings
Take non-woody stem or stem-tip cuttings about 6 in. long from a healthy Ficus Yellow Gem. Strip off the lower leaves from the cutting and retain 2-3 leaves on top.
Allow the sap to dry and then dip the lower cut end cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Insert the cutting in moist rooting soil. Ensure that the rooting container has adequate drainage to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting of the cuttings.
To enhance rooting of the cutting, create a mini-greenhouse by covering the set up with a clear polythene bag or sheet.
Ensure the leaves do not touch the bag or the sheet too much by propping it up with sticks.
Place the set up in warm, brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.
New growth indicates that the cutting has rooted. In about 3-4 weeks, rooting will have taken place.
Gradually over a period of two weeks, remove the plastic cover to acclimatize the new plant.
In 4-6 months, there will be adequate root development and you can transplant the new plants into individual pots after which you can begin Council Tree routine care.
Ficus Yellow Gem (Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem') Problems Indoors
Ficus altissima problems indoors are leaf drop, leaf spots, brown leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, diseases and pests among others. Keep on reading on for more details on these problems and how to fix them.
Leaf drop (loss)
There are many and varied causes of leaf drop in Ficus Yellow Gem. One possible cause of leaf drop is sudden changes in the growing conditions.
This is likely to occur when you bring the plant home or when you move it to a new location in the home.
When you bring the Ficus Yellow Gem home, place it in bright light with 4 hours of direct morning or late afternoon sunlight, warm conditions.
Water it liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings. It may loss a few leaves but will eventually settle.
If you need to move the Council Tree to a new location in your home, do so gradually to acclimate it to the new conditions.
For instance, if you want to take it outside, move it to a shaded place first before you can take out under bright light.
The second possible cause of leaf drop in Lofty Fig is extremely cold or hot temperatures due to drafts.
The plant requires average room temperatures within the range of 16-260C inorder to thrive.
Extreme temperatures; either too high or too low (outside the above range) will affect the normal functioning of the plant systems.
Too high temperatures will cause excessive loss of water leading to wilting and leaf drop.
Too low temperatures cause the plant to stop growing and begin to die. Leaf drop is one of the signs of a dying plant.
The third possible cause of leaf drop in Ficus Yellow Gem is too little light The plant requires bright light with some direct sunlight for optimum growth.
Move the Council Tree to a brighter spot and ensure it is receiving bright light with some direct sunshine.
Ficus Yellow Gem is very similar to Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant) in its requirements and are both affected by similar problems.
Read more on 14 reasons why Rubber Plant is dropping leaves and how to fix them
Loss of lower leaves
Loss of lower leaves is a normal occurence in Ficus Yellow Gem. As it matures, it losses the lower leaves leaving a bare stem with a crown of leaves at the top.
Cut back the stem at the desired height to rejuvenate growth. New growth should sprout just below the cut into a new bushy Council Tree.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves in Ficus Yellow Gem are due to a number of varied reasons. One reason is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering.
Water the Council Tree liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Decrease watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely; maintain the soil moderately moist.
Read more on 13 Reasons Why Rubber Plant Leaves are Drooping & How to Fix Them
Brown leaf tips and edges
Ficus Yellow Gem will grow in ordinary room humidity but a humid environment is necessary for lush growth especially where the temperatures are very high.
Too low humidity (little air moisture) results in dehydration which causes the leaves to develop brown leaf tips and edges.
Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
You can also grow Council Tree in the moist areas in the home like the bathroom and laundy area if the lighting is adequate.
Yellow leaf edges
Yellowing leaf edges in Ficus Yellow Gem are due to underfeeding. Feed the plant monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing period but do not feed during the cold season.
Pests
The common pests in Ficus Yellow Gem are Aphids, Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects and Spider Mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap. Keep the plant properly pruned at all times to reduce the hiding places for these pests.
Diseases
Ficus Yellow Gem is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. Ensure there is free drainage of both the soil and the pot and also reduce watering during the cold season. Read on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
Is Ficus Yellow Gem (Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem') toxic?
Ficus Yellow Gem (Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem') is toxic to humans and pets as indicated by Pet Poison Helpline.
The plant produces a milky white latex which is an irritant to the eyes and the skin. If ingested it can cause irritation in the mouth, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pains.
