Ficus palmeri with its green leaves with light green veins, its flaky, textured bark and aerial roots, is one of my personal favourites. You might ask why, when it seems a little ordinary, and there are so many more vibrant plants to choose from. Well, it is because I have managed to keep my Ficus alive for 25 years. F. palmeri, also known as Baja Californian rock fig, is classed as a caudiciform or fat plant.
I purchased mine as a small seedling way back in 1999. There are some who say that for most of the year it is an easy plant to look after, but in my opinion it can be a little trickier during the winter months when it is in dormancy. To keep it thriving, watering needs to be reduced in the autumn. The leaves will fall off and it can stay leafless for 5–6 months with no trouble. The temperature needs to be kept to at least 10°C, although they can survive at a lower temperature for very short periods. You need to also pay attention to the humidity as they prefer a dry atmosphere.
In spring to early summer when conditions are right (that is when temperatures are higher and the light is longer and brighter, F. palmeri will slowly awaken, and the diligent owner can commence watering, slowly at first but only when temperatures have increased. During the summer months, frequent watering is essential to ensure the plant keeps its leaves, because if it encounters drought conditions it will drop its leaves. However, if this does happen, with careful nurturing it will grow more when watering recommences.
Text and photos by Derek May
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