Ficus quercifolia

Technical Data Sheet (Ficus quercifolia)

Common name: Oak Leaf Fig
Scientific name: Ficus quercifolia
Family: Moraceae

General description

Ficus quercifolia is a creeping or climbing plant with small oak-shaped leaves, highly valued for terrariums and paludariums due to its natural appearance, controlled growth and dense coverage. Its delicate foliage creates a fresh, tropical look, ideal for recreating natural environments.

Size

• Young plant: 5–15 cm
• Mature growth: Can spread widely as a ground cover or climbing plant

Care

• Light: Prefers bright indirect light; tolerates partial shade.
• Watering: Keep the substrate slightly moist, avoiding waterlogging.
• Humidity: High humidity (70–90%) is ideal for terrariums.
• Temperature: 18–28 °C. Sensitive to cold.
• Substrate: Loose, moist and well-drained.

Uses

• Tropical terrariums and paludariums
• Indoor decoration as a hanging or ground-cover plant
• Covering walls, backgrounds and surfaces in bioactive terrariums

Benefits

• Compact, manageable growth
• Ideal for humid environments
• Enhances a natural terrarium aesthetic
• Hardy and low-maintenance plant
• Non-toxic to reptiles, amphibians and arthropods

Recommendations

• Regular pruning to control growth
• Avoid direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn
• Perfect to combine with mosses and other tropical plants