Ficus sp. 'Narrow Leaf'

Figs (genus Ficus) are very diverse and found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. For terrarium keepers, the most interesting species are those that climb as young plants and produce small leaves. In nature, they all develop into large, woody plants that grow high in trees and produce typical fig fruits there, but in terrariums (even very large ones), they usually remain in their small-leaved juvenile form and are therefore excellent for planting on back walls.

Most are easy to care for and quickly grow into dense, green mats, but there are also slower-growing and more demanding species.

This climbing fig likes it quite bright, but once it is well established, it can also grow by itself into darker areas of the terrarium.

Initially, however, it should be planted in a bright location. With rather strong lighting of 3,000 to 8,000 lux or 60 to 200 PPFD (µmol/m²/s), it grows well and the leaves develop ideal coloration.

It likes humidity of 60% or more.

It likes it warm. Temperatures of 22 to 28°C lead to the best growth. Especially with very moist substrate, the temperature should also be high, otherwise it tends to root rot. Established plants are significantly less sensitive and tolerate (night) temperatures of 15°C well.

This climbing fig prefers a medium-fine, airy, but consistently moist substrate.

In nature, this plant grows in very nutrient-poor soil. In the rainforest, there is little to no humus as known from native forests. A thin layer of leaves/detritus, only 1 to 3 cm thick, is usually followed directly by dense clay soil or rock. The roots of the plants creep along the surface under the thin layer of leaves and almost never go deeper than a few centimeters into the clay soil. This plant should therefore be potted in a loose, only slightly acidic (pH value of approx. 5.5 to 6.5) and airy mix. It grows very well in coconut fibers mixed with some sphagnum moss or tree fern fiber. This is the same mixture that we also recommend as substrate for typical tropical terrariums.

It also grows well in a purely mineral substrate, but we recommend not repotting it immediately after arrival, as this can cause it a lot of stress. Most of our plants are already potted in the substrates we recommend and can remain in them.

In general, climbing Ficus species react poorly to repotting. It is best to simply plant them in the terrarium with the complete existing substrate and then disturb them as little as possible.

Over time, they also form numerous adventitious aerial roots and can also nourish themselves through them. Sometimes they eventually rot away at the bottom and then live as pure epiphytes on the back wall. However, we always recommend planting them in substrate first to start. They grow much faster and better this way.

This Ficus should never dry out completely, but how moist it likes to be depends heavily on the (substrate) temperature. Above 25°C, it can be kept consistently moist to wet, otherwise it should be allowed to dry out at least superficially. However, actual drying out almost immediately leads to leaf loss.

When cared for under grow lights, it can be fertilized year-round. It is a slow-growing species that does not require much fertilizer. No special fertilizer needs to be used. A normal complete fertilizer (N-P-K + trace elements) for houseplants is sufficient. We recommend halving the dosage indicated by the manufacturer (this corresponds to about 500 µS/cm conductivity of fertilizer) and fertilizing only about every 4 weeks.

In a well-established, bioactive terrarium, it does not need to be fertilized.