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Species library › Ficus › Ficus ulmifolia
Other Well documented

Ficus ulmifolia

Is-is

A shrubby fig or small tree endemic to the Philippines, known locally as is-is for its rough, sandpapery and variably lobed leaves. It is a pioneer of lowland secondary forest, forest edges, roadsides, grassy openings and rocky or ultramafic ground. It is sun-tolerant and resilient, and in a pot it wants warmth, strong light and free-draining soil.

At home, aim for
Day Warm-growingTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry
Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
No rest periodGrows in the ground

Where it grows wild

A shrub or small tree of 2–12 m in lowland and lower montane forest, most often in second growth, along creeks and trails, in open grassy places, on limestone and on rocky ultramafic soils. It is also a common weedy tree along roadsides.

Recorded from near sea level to about 1300–1500 m. Most records are from the lowlands.

Philippines (Luzon, Mindoro, Samar, Panay, Negros, Sibuyan, Polillo, Batan and other islands)

🔒 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

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