Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-12. In St. Louis, grow plants indoors in containers in a soil-based potting mix in full sun. Water regularly during the growing season. Avoid overwatering. Reduce watering from fall to late winter. In containers, the size of the plant can be minimized by both container size (small) and watering (minimal). Prune as needed. May be trained as a bonsai.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ficus petiolaris, commonly called petiolate fig or rock fig, is a small tree that may grow to 20-30’ tall, but infrequently may reach as much as 90’ tall. It is native to Mexico where it is typically found from Baja California and Sonora south to Oaxaca. In its native range, it is often found growing in rocky areas where the roots stretch over rocks, often grotesquely, in search of rooting soil. Trees develop a large and distinctive woody basal caudex in early age. Older trees can be magnificent. Pale green leaves (to 3” wide) are cordate-orbicular with basal lobes sometimes overlapping and with an abruptly short-pointed apex. A distinctive identification feature of this plant is the presence of white hairs in tufts along the vein axils. Green flowers are followed by figs (to 1/2” diameter) that appear in pairs. Flowers and fruits rarely appear on indoor plants.
Genus name comes from the Latin name for the edible fig.
Specific epithet means with petioles.
Problems
Watch for scale, aphids, mealybugs and spider mites.
Uses
Indoors in containers. Bonsai.