Ficus Cloud

$4,100.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 500L

500L

Current Stock Height Guides

500L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: This refers to a pruned topiary form. Naturally, Ficus microcarpa (often used for this) can grow 10m to 20m+ (approx.). The actual height depends on pruning.

Mature Width: 1m to 2m

Ficus Cloud is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (if pruned and shaped regularly) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Contact

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Ficus Cloud

Ficus microcarpa 'Cloud' is an evergreen fig trained into tiered pads of dense glossy foliage, a style borrowed from Japanese cloud pruning. Small rounded leaves sit tight along sculpted branches above a clear trunk, so the plant reads as a piece of green architecture rather than an ordinary shade tree.

It takes full sun to part shade, tolerates most soils and shrugs off heat, wind and reflected glare in built up areas. Moderate drought tolerance follows establishment. Growth of roughly 30 to 50 centimetres a year needs trimming back two or three times through the warmer months to keep the tiers clean.

Standing 2.5 to 4.5 metres tall and 1 to 2 metres wide, it fits courtyards, entry statements, pool surrounds and civic forecourts where a narrow specimen has to carry the space. The roots are vigorous, so keep it clear of pipes and paving or grow it in a large planter.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Ficus Cloud

What is a Ficus Cloud?

Ficus Cloud is Ficus microcarpa trained by repeated pruning into distinct rounded pads of foliage, a technique known as cloud pruning. The plant is an evergreen fig with small glossy leaves, also sold as Chinese Banyan. The tiers are created and held by the grower, they are not a natural growth habit.

How big does Ficus Cloud grow?

As a trained specimen it stands 2.5 to 4.5 metres tall and 1 to 2 metres wide. That narrow footprint is the appeal, since it delivers height in a tight courtyard without a wide canopy. Left entirely unpruned the underlying species grows far larger, so ongoing trimming is what defines the final size.

Is it evergreen?

Yes, it holds glossy foliage year round with no leafless season, which is why it works as a permanent structural element. Some leaf drop happens after transplanting or a sudden change in light or temperature, and the plant refoliates quickly once it settles. It rarely flowers in any noticeable way.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest pads and the strongest leaf colour, while part shade produces slightly softer, looser growth. It copes with reflected heat off paving and walls, so hot courtyards and pool surrounds are well within range. Deep shade thins the tiers noticeably.

Is it frost tolerant?

Not particularly. Ficus microcarpa is a subtropical species and frost burns the foliage, especially on young plants, so it is best kept to frost free coastal, subtropical and warm temperate positions. In cooler districts grow it in a large planter against a north facing wall where it can be sheltered.

Does it have invasive roots?

Yes. Figs are known for vigorous surface and subsurface roots that seek out moisture, and Ficus microcarpa is no exception. Keep it several metres clear of sewer lines, tanks, pool shells and paved edges, or plant it into a large above ground container where the root run stays contained.

How do I maintain the cloud shape?

Trim two or three times through the warmer months, cutting new shoots back to the outline of each pad rather than shearing the whole plant. Clear any growth appearing between the tiers or along the trunk. Water regularly, feed in spring, and check underneath the foliage for scale and mealybug.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Ficus Cloud works in an:

Japanese Inspired – serene balance of form, foliage, and flow.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Ficus Cloud Evergreen or Deciduous?

Ficus Cloud is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: This refers to a pruned topiary form. Naturally, Ficus microcarpa (often used for this) can grow 10m to 20m+ (approx.). The actual height depends on pruning.

Mature Width: 1m to 2m

Ficus Cloud is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (if pruned and shaped regularly) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Ficus Cloud

Ficus Cloud is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (if pruned and shaped regularly) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Ficus Cloud

Is Ficus Cloud frost tolerant?

Ficus Cloud is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Ficus Cloud Flower?

Cloud-pruned Ficus forms do not produce ornamental flowers; instead, they develop small, hidden internal blooms that mature into discreet figs depending on the species. These internal floral structures add subtle seasonal interest through fruit formation rather than visible bloom.

Does Ficus Cloud flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Not Applicable

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Ficus Cloud an Australian Native Tree?

No

Ficus Cloud is Native to Derived from Ficus microcarpa (Indian Laurel Fig), native to southern Asia and tropical Australia, widely cultivated for ornamental use and topiary.

What is the Wildlife Value of Ficus Cloud ?

Its dense, layered foliage creates sheltered pockets ideal for small birds, geckos and beneficial insects, while any figs produced provide food for fruit-eating wildlife. The compact, architectural structure also supports microfauna that strengthen biodiversity in both formal and tropical-style gardens.

How much Sunlight does Ficus Cloud need?

Ficus Cloud will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Cloud-pruned Ficus performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as it matures to support strong root health, stable growth and the long-term maintenance of its architectural cloud form.

Is Ficus Cloud Drought Tolerant?

Is Ficus Cloud Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established a cloud-trained Ficus develops excellent drought tolerance. It performs reliably in hot, dry and coastal environments, maintaining its sculpted tiered form with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Ficus Cloud

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Ficus Cloud

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Ficus Cloud is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (if pruned and shaped regularly) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Ficus Cloud

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Ficus Cloud in Different Soil

Ficus Cloud performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to prune Ficus microcarpa 'Cloud'?
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts to shape the foliage and maintain the cloud-like tiers.
How often should I water my Ficus Cloud?
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, reducing frequency in the winter months.
Is Ficus microcarpa 'Cloud' prone to any specific pests or diseases?
Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, mealybugs, and scale. Regular maintenance can prevent most issues.
Can I grow Ficus Cloud indoors?
Yes, Ficus Cloud can thrive indoors with adequate light and care but will need regular pruning to manage its size and shape.
How do I maintain the cloud-like structure?
Regular pruning and training of the branches are required to maintain and refine the cloud-like structure.
Is this tree suitable for small gardens or spaces?
Its compact size and unique form make the Ficus Cloud ideal for small gardens or spaces, providing an artistic touch without occupying too much room.

The Ficus Cloud is a versatile and striking tree that brings a unique aesthetic to any garden or indoor space with its cloud-shaped foliage and sculptural form, making it a sought-after choice for those seeking a touch of elegance and artistry in their landscape.