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How to Care for Outdoor Ficus Trees

Outdoor Ficus trees, the Hillii, Hillii Flash, Figaro, and edible Black Genoa Fig. Best varieties, planting tips, watering, pruning, and the root caution every Australian gardener needs to know.
Evergreen TreesFicusHedgingOutdoor TreesTree Care

Ficus hillii is the workhorse outdoor evergreen in Australian gardens. Tall dense formal hedging, glossy dark foliage, fast establishment — the classic privacy screen. Looking after it well rewards the planting for decades.

Watering

Water deeply through the first two summers — twice a week in warm weather, once a week in mild weather. After establishment, Ficus hillii holds its own on rainfall in most years and benefits from a deep soak during extended dry stretches.

Pruning

Light formative tip pruning in the first season encourages density from the base. Once established, two to three light prunes a year keep the formal face clean. Spring, mid-summer and autumn trims work well in most climates.

Feeding

A general slow-release fertiliser in early spring is enough. Top-dress with compost annually for the best foliage colour.

Mulching

Lay 75 to 100mm of organic mulch out to the drip line, kept 50mm clear of the trunk. Mulch keeps roots cool through summer and holds moisture through the warmer months.

Common questions

Why is my Ficus dropping leaves? Usually a sign of inconsistent watering. Deep, regular watering through summer is the fix.

How do I keep a Ficus hedge dense? Light frequent pruning. Two to three light trims a year. Resist the urge to hard prune.

How fast does Ficus hillii grow? Fast — a full screen in 12 to 18 months from a tall advanced specimen with consistent water.

Final thoughts

Ficus hillii is the hedge that rewards consistent care with decades of reliable formal privacy. Water deeply through summer, prune lightly two to three times a year, feed in spring, mulch annually — the hedge holds for as long as you want it.

Compare at a glance

CultivarHeightWidthFormFoliageBest if you…
Ficus microcarpa var. hillii
Ficus Hillii 		8 to 30m, can be pruned to desired heightIndefinite, pruned to fitDense, upright, columnar when clippedLarge glossy dark green, evergreenBoundary screening, large hedges, fast privacy.
Ficus hillii 'Flash'
Ficus Hillii Flash 		8 to 15m, can be pruned to desired heightIndefinite, pruned to fitDense, upright, columnar when clippedLime-green new growth on dark glossy mature leavesBoundary hedges with movement and colour, pleached screens, courtyard walls.
Ficus obliqua 'Figaro'
Ficus Figaro 		2 to 4m, can be pruned to desired height1.5 to 2mCompact, dense, finely texturedSmall glossy dark green, evergreenTight courtyards, formal hedges in smaller gardens, low screens.
Ficus carica 'Black Genoa'
Black Genoa Fig 		3 to 5m3 to 4mSpreading, multi-stemmedLarge lobed green, drops in winterEdible gardens, courtyards with warm walls, multi-purpose feature.
Ficus microcarpa var. hillii

1. Ficus microcarpa var. hillii (Ficus Hillii)

Ficus Hillii is the most widely planted evergreen hedge tree in Australia. Fast, dense, glossy, and forgiving. It also has the most vigorous root system of any tree we sell, so siting matters.

Type
Evergreen hedge tree
Height
8 to 30m, can be pruned to desired height
Width
Indefinite, pruned to fit
Growth rate
Very fast
Foliage
Large glossy dark green, evergreen
Flowers
Insignificant
Form
Dense, upright, columnar when clipped
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, most soils, drought tolerant once established
Maintenance
Light clipping two to three times a year for hedges.
Best for
Boundary screening, large hedges, fast privacy.

Why choose it

Ficus Hillii does the job faster than any other evergreen hedge in Australia. The root system is the trade-off, plant at least 4m clear of drains, pools, and structures.

Perfect pair

Pair with a Crepe Myrtle 'Natchez' or Magnolia 'Black Tulip' as a deciduous flowering feature against the dense evergreen wall.

Tips for planting

Space 1 to 1.5m apart for a clipped hedge. Keep well clear of drains and foundations.

The fastest, densest evergreen hedge in Australia.

Shop Ficus microcarpa var. hillii
Ficus hillii 'Flash'

2. Ficus hillii 'Flash' (Ficus Hillii Flash)

Ficus Hillii Flash is the brighter, slightly more refined version of Ficus Hillii. Lime-green new growth flushes against dark glossy mature foliage. Same fast growth, same dense form, more visual interest.

Type
Evergreen hedge tree
Height
8 to 15m, can be pruned to desired height
Width
Indefinite, pruned to fit
Growth rate
Very fast
Foliage
Lime-green new growth on dark glossy mature leaves
Flowers
Insignificant
Form
Dense, upright, columnar when clipped
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, most soils
Maintenance
Light clipping two to three times a year.
Best for
Boundary hedges with movement and colour, pleached screens, courtyard walls.

Why choose it

Flash gives you the speed of Ficus Hillii but with the lime-green flush that catches light. It looks more deliberate, more designed.

Perfect pair

Pair with a Crepe Myrtle 'Tuscarora' as the deciduous flowering feature in front of the green wall.

Tips for planting

Same root caution as Ficus Hillii, plant 4m clear of drains and structures.

Ficus Hillii with more visual interest.

Shop Ficus hillii 'Flash'
Ficus obliqua 'Figaro'

3. Ficus obliqua 'Figaro' (Ficus Figaro)

Ficus Figaro is the small-leaved Australian native Ficus cultivar bred for modern landscapes. Compact, glossy, and significantly less aggressive at the roots than Ficus Hillii. The neater choice for tight gardens.

Type
Evergreen hedge or small feature
Height
2 to 4m, can be pruned to desired height
Width
1.5 to 2m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Small glossy dark green, evergreen
Flowers
Insignificant
Form
Compact, dense, finely textured
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, free-draining soil
Maintenance
Light clipping for shape.
Best for
Tight courtyards, formal hedges in smaller gardens, low screens.

Why choose it

Figaro is the Ficus to plant when you cannot risk Ficus Hillii's root system. Same glossy native look on a manageable scale.

Perfect pair

Pair with a Magnolia 'Vulcan' as a small deciduous flowering feature for spring colour.

Tips for planting

Space 60 to 80cm apart for a clean hedge. Mulch annually.

The well-behaved native Ficus for smaller gardens.

Shop Ficus obliqua 'Figaro'
Ficus carica 'Black Genoa'

4. Ficus carica 'Black Genoa' (Black Genoa Fig)

Ficus carica 'Black Genoa' is the productive edible Ficus. Large purple-black figs in summer and autumn, lobed deciduous foliage, and a tidy spreading habit. The fig that actually fruits well in Australia.

Type
Deciduous fruiting tree
Height
3 to 5m
Width
3 to 4m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Large lobed green, drops in winter
Flowers
Hidden within the fig (figs are the fruit)
Form
Spreading, multi-stemmed
Conditions
Full sun, free-draining soil, heat tolerant
Maintenance
Winter prune for shape and to encourage fruiting wood.
Best for
Edible gardens, courtyards with warm walls, multi-purpose feature.

Why choose it

Black Genoa fruits reliably and abundantly. A deciduous Ficus that earns its space in summer with shade and figs.

Perfect pair

Pair with Murraya paniculata as a fragrant evergreen hedge backdrop. The dark glossy Murraya plays off the textural fig foliage.

Tips for planting

Prune in winter to keep the tree open. Pick figs when they soften and tilt downward.

The reliable edible Ficus for Australian gardens.

Shop Ficus carica 'Black Genoa'

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Comments

  • Rapids Tree Service Pros April 30, 2023

    Wow…Such a great blog !!!! I was looking for the same information from many days; I accidentally hit your blog and found it really useful. Thanks For Sharing.

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