Roxburgh Fig
Ficus auriculata
| Family: | Moraceae (mor-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Ficus (FY-kus) (Info) |
| Species: | auriculata (aw-rik-yoo-LAY-tuh) (Info) |
Category:
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Trees
Water Requirements:
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Burgundy/Maroon
Orange/Apricot
Height:
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing:
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Pink
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From woody stem cuttings
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
By air layering
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Camarillo, California
Hayward, California
Los Angeles, California
Reseda, California
San Leandro, California
San Marino, California
Santa Barbara, California
Spring Valley, California
Sylmar, California
Vista, California
Lake Worth, Florida
Merritt Island, Florida
Mulberry, Florida
Colquitt, Georgia
Pass Christian, Mississippi
Austin, Texas
Richmond, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Sep 8, 2012, changa4 from SYLMAR, CA wrote: We live in the los angeles area and our ficus auriculata was doing very well, until the new gardener cut the bottom growth. It seems this bottom growth was helping to keep the soil moist in our 100+ degree weather. Now ficus is dropping leaves like crazy! We are so sad, but hope it recoups. |
| Positive | On May 5, 2012, alenemurphy from Camarillo, CA wrote: I've had this tree growing in my yard for about a year. The leaves all fall off mid to late winter but they quickly start growing again in spring. I love this tree and its beautiful leaves for our tropical backyard. It was the first thing I planted when we started to re-do our yard, and of course, now it is not in the right place, so I'd like to move it. It is not huge (about 4ft). Has anyone had any experience doing this? I assume it will fair well as most of ficus root easily. Is there a specific time of year that would be best to do this? |
| Positive | On Feb 17, 2012, vossner from Richmond, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: In my z9a, this fig dies to the ground and emerges in spring. I have seen a spectacular specimen at Yucca Do Nursery when it was located off FM 359 in Hempstead, TX. I was told it was not given any sort of winter protection and was planted inground in a brutally sunny location. I lost a Roxburgh fix in the winter of 2008 and quickly replaced it. It makes such a statement in the garden. Mine are in ground, in moist locations. |
| Positive | On May 23, 2009, markdeutsch from Pass Christian, MS wrote: There are two reasons to start cuttings of this tree in at least a 3gal. pot. The leaves get so big, they transpire much water. This makes them subject to drying if moist soil is not maintained. Also, if it's put in a small pot, it quickly outgrows it. Save yourself some trouble by starting with a medium or large one. I'm amazed at how fast this tree grows ! I began a year ago with a six- inch start in a 1 gal. pot. It grew to 3 feet tall in 3 months. Mother plant was almost dormant in winter protection. It is now 5 ft. tall with 2 ft long leaves. It is this size after taking about 10 cuttings off. In the cool of March I stuck a 6 inch piece in the native soil of 5.5 ph. It is now,in late May, about a foot tall with 7 hand-sized leaves. Because I'm at the border of Zone 8B-9A, I expe... read more |
| Positive | On Jan 20, 2009, WebInt from Vista, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: There are two forms of this plant being sold. The true form that you see here in PF mostly and a more traditional tree forming type. The true form has larger leaves with no serration. It tends to form a large shrub-like tree. The other one has smaller leaves and that are serrated. This version can be grown into a tree. Both are called Ficus auriculata and both have the nice maroon new growth. |
| Positive | On Apr 18, 2008, GaTropical wrote: Grows quite well as a perennial in southern Georgia (zone 8b). Grows 8 to 10 feet tall in a single season with 18+ inch leaves before dying to the ground with the first freeze. Got my cutting from a plant grown outdoors in Anniston, AL (northern AL) so is probably hardy as a perennial much further north than here. Excellent plant to add a tropical touch to a temperate garden. |
| Positive | On May 17, 2007, BayAreaTropics from Hayward, CA wrote: Well,i just got mine today. It might be the first in Northern California. Why isnt it planted here when it's a semi hardy fig?.It is claimed to be a USDA Zone 8b plant.That's more than hardy enough for northernCal. |
| Positive | On Oct 7, 2003, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: This is a spectacular tree and has incredibly nice, large leaves that are maroon when just emerging. Though not a tall tree, it can be very wide (20-30') and is a prolific producer of large figs though not sure how edible they are... they grown in large quantities right off the trunk, sometimes nearly covering it... figs flattish shaped. This native of South China is growing in several locations about Southern California |
