Banana Leaf Fig (Ficus Alii) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Pruning, Propagation, Problems

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Ficus maclellandii Alii also called Ficus Alii, Banana Leaf Ficus, Long Leafed Fig or Narrow Leafed Fig is one of the unique Ficus varieties, perfect for indoor growing.

Ficus Alii is an evergreen, perennial plant with glossy, long, slender, willow-like, medium-green leaves which hang downwards. The new leaves are reddish-bronze and change to medium-green as they mature.

The plant has two type of leaves where leaves on lower leaves are narrower than the leaves on higher branches. Banana Leaf Ficus is considered more tolerant of indoor growing conditions than its cousin Ficus benjamina Weeping Fig as it rarely sheds leaves and tolerates lower light better.

Botanical name: Ficus maclellandii 'Alii'
Family: Moraceae
Common names: Banana Leaf Fig, Ficus Alii, Banana Leaf Ficus, Long Leafed Fig, Narrow Leafed Fig

Origin

Ficus maclellandii Alii is native to Asia, India and China. Ficus Alii is a cultivar which was originally introduced in Hawaii and was given the name, 'Alii'. It is often labelled as Ficus binnendijkii or Ficus longifolia in plant stores. Another cultivar of Ficus maclellandii is Ficus Amstel King which was developed in Holland and is considered more hardy than Alii.

How big do Banana Leaf Figs get?

Banana Leaf Fig can grow to a height of 9-10 feet and 3-5 feet wide when grown indoors which make it ideal for filling the large spaces or an empty corner. It is one of the well-liked indoor trees for the home, office or any suitable space.

Is Ficus Alii poisonous?

Yes. Like other plants in the Moraceae family, Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' is toxic to humans and pets as indicated by Pet Poison Helpline. It 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

Would you like to add Ficus Alii to your collection? You may get these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Banana Leaf Fig Indoors

To care for Banana Leaf Fig indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 16-25⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Ficus maclellandii Alii requires regular pruning to keep it neat and also encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is only needed when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water Ficus Alii?

Do not water Ficus Alii on a schedule to avoid either overwatering or underwatering because both have negative effects on plant growth.

Water Banana Leaf Fig 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 to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist since growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period as underwatering can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Use room temperature water because consistently watering with cold water can cause reduced growth and leaf drop. Use only chlorine-free water to avoid brown leaf edges and spots on the leaves.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and eventual plant death. Discard excess water from the bottom saucer to prevent the plant from sitting on water.

Light Requirements

Banana Leaf Fig grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight. Avoid exposing the plant to hot midday sun to prevent leaf drop and scorching; brown marks on the leaves.

Ficus Alii can adapt to lower light conditions but it will grow much slower and may become leggy. If light is too little it may cause yellowing and leaf drop. Therefore, if the natural lighting is insufficient, you may grow the plant under full spectrum grow lights.

Once monthly, give the pot a quarter turn to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth to avoid lopsided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Banana Leaf Fig prefers a warmth of 16-25⁰C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent sudden temperature changes as they can cause stunted growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Ficus Alii 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 the temperatures are high in winter, the plant may develop brown leaf tips and edges.

To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together. Do not mist the leaves and maintain proper air flow to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

What is the best fertilizer for Ficus Alii tree?

Feed Ficus Alii with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to encourage a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is slowed at this time.

Occasionally flush out excess salts by drenching the soil until water flows out through the drainage hole. Repeat several times to get rid of as much salt as possible.

Potting Soil

Banana Leaf Fig is best potted in soil that well-draining and rich in organic matter. These will prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir (for moisture retention) and 20% perlite (for aeration) is a good choice for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Ficus Alii at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when root-bound. Repotting every 1-2 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 size largere 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 root-rot and death of the plant. Check out these ceramic pot with drainage hole on Amazon.

For a large Banana Leaf Fig 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 & Grooming

Pruning Banana Leaf Fig entails removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pests and diseases.

When Long Leafed Fig has reached maximum height or it has become leggy, cutback the branches to rejuvenate growth and also encourage a bushy, compact growth. You may use the foliage emanating from the pruning to propagate new plants.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth, to get rid of dust and also discourage pests and diseases infestation.

Ficus Alii Propagation

How do you propagate a Ficus Alii?

Banana Leaf Fig is propagated by air layering or by stem and stem-tip cuttings. The best time to propagate is in spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing for faster establishment.

1. How to Propagate Ficus Alii by Air Layering

1. Air layering involves notching a healthy stem and coating the notch with a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


2. Surround the notched area with damp moss and cover the notch with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.


3. 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.


4. Remove the polythene or plastic wrap and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist well-drained soil. Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent rotting.


5. Place the new plant in a warm, brightly-lit spot away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


6. Maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. How to Propagate Ficus Alii from Stem Cuttings

1. Take non-woody stem or stem-tip cuttings about 6 inches long from a healthy plant.


2. Strip off the lower leaves from the cutting and retain 2-3 leaves on top.


3. Allow the sap to dry and then dip the lower cut end cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


4. Insert 2-3 inches of the stem cutting in moist, rooting soil. Ensure the rooting container has adequate drainage to prevent rotting of the cuttings.


5. To enhance rooting, create a mini-greenhouse by covering the set up with a clear polythene bag or sheet. Make sure the leaves do not touch the bag or the sheet too much by propping it up with sticks.


6. Place the set up in warm, brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.


7. In about 3-4 weeks, rooting will have taken place. New growth indicates that the cutting has rooted.


8. Gradually over a period of two weeks, remove the plastic cover to acclimate the new plant to ordinary growing conditions.


9. 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.

Banana Leaf Fig Problems & Remedies

What are common Ficus Alii problems?

Ficus Alii common problems are dropping leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more details on these problems and how to fix them.

Dropping leaves

Dropping leaves from Ficus Alii are caused by sudden changes, too little light, temperature stress, inconsistent watering, soggy soil or aging.

How to fix it

Sudden changes: Gradually acclimate the plant before moving it a new location. For instance, if you want to take it outside, move it to a shaded place first before you can take out under bright light.

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, windy doors, radiators, drafty windows and others, to maintain an average warmth and avoid extreme temperatures which cause leaf drop.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Never allow the soilball to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.

Aging: As the plant matures, the lower leaves drop as they age. Loss of lower leaves is a normal occurence with this plant.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Ficus Alii are due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, low light or pests infestation.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.

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 windy doors, radiators, hot air vents, AC units, drafty windows and others.

Low light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Pests infestation: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely corrective measures.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges on Banana Leaf Fig are caused by low humidity or underwatering.

How to fix it

Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to raise humidity.

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to touch and do not leave the soil to dry completely for a long period.

Pests

Common pests of Ficus Alii are aphids, mealybugs, scales and spider mites which are prevalent in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the infested plant to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as indicated by the manufacturer.


3. Check between and underneath the leaves for these pests and take timely control measures.


4. Maintain the plant properly pruned to reduce the hiding places for these pests.


5. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or group the plants together to upscale humidity.

Diseases

Banana Leaf Fig is prone to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. It is characterized by wilted, discolored leaves, corky swellings under the leaves and leaf drop.

How to fix it

1. Slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.


2. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution as instructed on the label.


3. Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant.


4. Use free-draining soil and a pot with a drainage to prevent sogginess.


5. Do not water the plant and keep it dry for a 7-10 days before you can resume watering.

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