Moraceae
Japanese Superb Fig (Ficus subpisocarpa)
Ficus subpisocarpa
A large tree for streets, parks or big gardens, in an open, sunny spot. It is not an indoor pot plant. Little cultivation data is published; water young trees regularly until established.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
ยฐ - ยฐC
% - %
Categories
What is Japanese superb fig?
Japanese superb fig (Ficus subpisocarpa) is a medium-care plant from the Moraceae family. Ficus subpisocarpa is a fig tree from Asia: southern Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Taiwan, Hong Kong, southeastern China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, reaching as far as the Moluccas in Indonesia. It becomes a broad-crowned tree up to 12 m tall and can start on the ground or on another tree or rock as a st...
Japanese superb fig grows up to 12.0m, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many popular species, Japanese superb fig is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Japanese superb fig?
TLDR: Japanese superb fig needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 15-30ยฐC with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Japanese superb fig?
Water a newly planted tree about once a week until it establishes. A mature tree in the ground usually lives on rainfall.
How Much Light Does Japanese superb fig Need?
An open spot with plenty of sun, like the streets and parks where it is planted in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
What Is the Best Soil for Japanese superb fig?
Sources give no specific soil advice. In the wild it even grows on rocks and on disturbed ground.
What Pot Should You Use for Japanese superb fig?
Not suited to pots; it needs room to grow into a tree.
What Is Japanese superb fig and Where Does It Come From?
Ficus subpisocarpa is a fig tree from Asia: southern Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Taiwan, Hong Kong, southeastern China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, reaching as far as the Moluccas in Indonesia. It becomes a broad-crowned tree up to 12 m tall and can start on the ground or on another tree or rock as a strangler fig. It drops its leaves only briefly, for about a week, before flushing new growth all at once; the branch tips carry a red bud that looks like a writing brush. The leaves are smooth and oval, 4 to 24 cm long. The figs are small (under 1 cm), pinkish to purple with pale spots, borne directly on the branches, and birds love them.
How Big Does Japanese superb fig Grow?
TLDR: Japanese superb fig can reach up to 12.0m tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
12.0m
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Japanese superb fig?
TLDR: Japanese superb fig is susceptible to 2 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Fun Facts
In Taiwan, ants nest inside its young branches.
Its Chinese name, ็ญ็ฎกๆฆ, comes from the red bud at the branch tip that looks like a writing brush.
It can produce 2 to 4 crops of figs a year.
Frequently asked questions
How big does Ficus subpisocarpa get?
Does it lose its leaves?
Can it be grown in a pot?
Do the figs attract wildlife?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Fieldcap | Medium | Low light | 2d | โ ๏ธ |
| Azalea | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | โ ๏ธ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | โ |
| Bougainvillea | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | โ ๏ธ |
