Originating from Asia, Ficus microcarpa grow into massive trees in the wild. Don’t worry about it taking over your home though, by growing it in a pot you restrict the size of its rootball and how big it can grow. This means the bigger the pot you plant it into, the bigger your tree will grow, it all depends on how much space you have and the look you’re going for.
Related to Sarah, our Ficus microcarpe ‘Moclame’, what makes ‘Smile’ unique is its small, shiny dark green leaves, compact growth, and the unusual habit it has of growing roots from its branches down to the soil. In the wild it would do this to anchor itself and even though it won’t necessarily need anchoring in your home, some habits die hard.
The key to keeping this plant happy and healthy is placing it somewhere the temperature isn’t going to fluctuate below 15 degrees and where it’s not exposed to drafts. By keeping its soil lightly moist and ideally somewhere humid, it will put on loads of glossy green leaves, adding that little bit of exotic to the ordinary. If the leaves start to drop, it’s very likely you’ve slightly overwatered your tree so be sure not to leave it sitting in a pool of water, which could lead to root rot. Feed it with plant food at least once a month from late spring to autumn.
Did you know?
In cities like California where for years Ficus microcarpa was used to line streets, it’s no longer recommended because their strong roots lift the pavements and sidewalks. Beautiful, but hazardous!
Regular watering
Bright light
Humidity
