Australian banyan

Also known as: Moreton Bay fig

A large, subtropical evergreen tree, over 30m high in its native range, with buttressed trunks, widely spreading branches, and sometimes aerial roots that can hang down to the ground, forming secondary trunks. Leaves are oval to elliptic and leathery, with brownish undersides, and can be up to 30cm long. Small, round figs are green with cream spots and ripen to purple

Scientific classification

Species: Australian banyan (Ficus macrophylla)
Genus: Ficus
Family: Moraceae

Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Trees
Plant type: Higher than 12 metres
Height: wider than 8 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Information to be completed
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Australian banyan pictures

Distribution of Australian banyan

Distribution map

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of Australian banyan

Information to be completed

Australian banyan care guide

Water when upper compost dries, never keep soggy
Watering: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Water when upper compost dries, never keep soggy

Fertilizing

Balanced feed every few weeks in warm growing season

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Growing

Thrives in fertile soil, in its native range it is found in subtropical and warm temperate rainforests (minimum temperature 10°C). Rarely grown in gardens due to its size and aggressive root system

More growing and care information →