Species library › Ficus › Ficus citrifolia

Ficus citrifolia

Shortleaf fig

A banyan-type fig from southern Florida, the Caribbean and tropical America south to Paraguay. It usually starts life as an epiphyte high in another tree, sends roots to the ground and becomes a strangler and then a free-standing tree about 15 m tall. At home it is grown as a potted tree or bonsai that needs strong sun and warmth.

At home, aim for

Day Warm-growingTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry

Light Full sunDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal rest

Where it grows wild

It grows in tropical and subtropical forests, hammocks, dry forest and open coastal woodland. Seedlings start on branches, trunks or rock, then drop aerial roots that fuse and eventually enclose the host. Adult trees have their crown in full sun.

Mostly lowland. Recorded elevations are 0–2400 m, with a median of 202 m from 359 records.

Southern FloridaCaribbean islands and BahamasMexico and Central AmericaNorthern and central South America south to Paraguay and north-east Argentina

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

Grow Ficus citrifolia? Add it to a free garden and its full profile opens. Pro opens all 38,374 profiles in the library, plants and fungi.

Start free Sign in

More Ficus

Ficus elastica Ficus lyrata Ficus aurea Ficus macrophylla Ficus rubiginosa Ficus insipida Ficus maxima Ficus obliqua Ficus benjamina Ficus microcarpa Ficus religiosa Ficus sycomorus All 1214 →

Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.