Ficus altissima Yellow Gem Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation, Problems
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Ficus Yellow Gem grows best in bright light with some sunlight, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Ficus Yellow Gem also called Council Tree or Lofty Fig is among favored Ficus varieties and features 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 Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig).
A young Ficus Yellow Gem is difficult to distinguish from Ficus Audrey as it lacks variegation. However, the leaves on Audrey are more rounded while those of Yellow Gem are more pointed.
Botanical name: Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
Family: Moraceae
Common names: Ficus Yellow Gem, Council Tree, Lofty Fig
Origin
Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem' is native to Southeast Asia where it grows as an epiphyte on trees by means of aerial roots.
How big does Ficus Yellow Gem get?
Ficus Yellow Gem can grow to a height of 100 ft and 30 feet wide in its native habitat. Indoors it grows to 6 feet high and 2 feet wide. It is one of the popular tree-like plants for indoor growing.
Is Ficus Yellow Gem toxic?
Yes. Ficus 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.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add Ficus Yellow Gem to your collection? You may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Ficus altissima Yellow Gem Indoors
To care for Ficus Yellow Gem indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 16-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, 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. Keep reading for a detailed account on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Ficus Yellow Gem?
Do not water Ficus Yellow Gem on a schedule to avoid either underwatering or overwatering as both affect plant growth negatively.
Water Ficus Yellow Gem liberally in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage holes. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering as it can lead to rotting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Lessen watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for a long duration to prevent wilting, yellowing and leaf loss.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent sogginess which can lead to leaf drop and root-rot. Always discard excess water from the saucer or catchplate to prevent waterlogging.
Use room temperature water as consistently watering with cold water can cause reduced growth and leaf drop. Only use chlorine-free water to avoid browning of leaf edges and spots on the leaves.
Light Requirements
How much light does Ficus Yellow Gem need?
Ficus Yellow Gem needs bright light with 4-6 hours of direct morning or late afternoon sunlight. Avoid exposing the plant to hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching; brown marks on the leaves.
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. Where natural lighting is insufficient, use full spectrum grow lights to complement it.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and avoid leggy growth.
Outdoors, grow Ficus Yellow Gem in a shaded place away from hot direct sunshine to prevent the plant from getting brown sunscorch leaf marks.
Temperature & Humidity
Ficus Yellow Gem thrives in a warmth of 16-260C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as they can cause leaf drop and reduced growth.
Lofty Fig has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. However, if the air is too dry especially when temperatures are high in winter, it will result in brown leaf tips and edges.
To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together, or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Potting Soil
Ficus Yellow Gem potting soil should be rich in organic matter and well-draining to prevent sogginess. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir (for moisture retention) and 20% perlite or sand (for aeration) is good for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed Ficus Yellow Gem with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is slowed and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Ficus Yellow Gem at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when root-bound. If your Ficus Yellow Gem is wilting even after watering, it is an indication that it is pot-bound.
Avoid frequent repotting as this plant prefers to be pot-bound; repotting every 2-3 years is adequate for this plant. 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 that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting waterlogged. Never allow the roots to sit in soggy soil as it can result in root-rot and leaf drop. Check out these ceramic pots on Amazon.
For a large Council Tree which may be difficult to handle, annually replenish the top 2-4 inches of soil with fresh soil while taking care not to injure the roots.
Pruning & Maintenance
How to prune Ficus Yellow Gem
Pruning Ficus Yellow Gem entails removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat, and to discourage pest and disease infestations.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust to increase surface area for light absorption, and also discourage pests infestation.
How to make Ficus Yellow Gem bushy?
When Ficus Yellow Gem has reached maximum height or it has become leggy, cutback the branches with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to rejuvenate growth and encourage a bushy, compact growth. Use the foliage emanating from the pruning to propagate new plants.
Ficus Yellow Gem Propagation
Ficus Yellow Gem is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), by air layering, or by stem and stem-tip cuttings.
1. Propagating Ficus Yellow Gem by Air Layering
- Air layering involves notching the stem of a healthy plant 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. New shoots will sprout from the shortened stem of the old plant into a beautiful bushy plant.
- Remove the polythene or plastic wrap and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist well-drained soil.
- Place the new plant in a warm, brightly-lit spot away from direct sunlight.
- Maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
2. Propagating Ficus Yellow Gem from stem cuttings
- Take non-woody stem or stem-tip cuttings about 5-6 inches long from a healthy plant.
- 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 2-3 inches of the stem in moist rooting soil. Ensure the rooting container has adequate drainage to prevent 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.
- Position the set up in warm, brightly-lit spot away from direct sunlight.
- 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 take 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 routine care.
Ficus Yellow Gem Problems & Remedies
Ficus altissima problems are dropping leaves, brown leaves, pests and disease among others. Keep on reading on for more details on these problems and how to fix them.
Dropping leaves
Why is my Ficus Yellow Gem dropping leaves?
Your Ficus Yellow Gem is dropping leaves due to too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, pests infestations or sudden changes.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Inconsistent water: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like radiators, AC units, windy doors, drafty windows, heat sources and others.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and take timely control measures.
Sudden changes: Gradually acclimate the plant to new growing conditions.
Brown leaves
Some of the causes of brown leaves on Ficus Yellow Gem are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or aging.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, radiators, heat sources, drafty windows, windy doors and others.
Aging: This is a natural process; as the plant matures the older leaves turn yellow, brown and drop off.
Pests
Common pests of Ficus Yellow Gem are aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites which are prevalent in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Keep the plant properly pruned at all times to reduce the hiding places for these pests.
- Regularly check the undersides of leaves for pests and wipe them clean with diluted rubbing alcohol.
- Group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity as it depresses the pests infestation.
- Ensure good air flow to discourage the pests.
Diseases
Ficus Yellow Gem is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by wlting, yellowing and browning of the leaves which is rapidly followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.
- Brown mushy roots indicate root-rot. Cut the brown-black roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
- Reduce watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time, therefore, the plant does not need much water.
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