Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig

Name: Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 620.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: 100L

100L 200L 300L 400L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: Enquire within for height guide information.
200L: Enquire within for height guide information.
300L: Enquire within for height guide information.
400L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig

Ficus obliqua, commonly known as the Small-leaved Fig or Native Fig, is a large Australian native tree recognised for its spreading canopy and dense evergreen foliage. The leaves are smaller and narrower than those of many other figs, glossy green, and provide a fine-textured canopy. Mature trees develop a stout trunk with smooth grey bark, and their broad crown can extend widely, providing excellent summer shade. Small, yellow to orange figs are produced through the year, supporting a wide range of native birds and wildlife. Mature specimens can reach 15–30 metres tall with a spread of 10–20 metres.

This species grows at a moderate to fast rate in favourable conditions. Ficus obliqua is hardy, evergreen, and highly adaptable, tolerating a range of soils provided they are well-drained. It is drought tolerant once established, frost sensitive when young, and thrives in full sun. Like other figs, it develops strong surface roots and is best suited to parks, large gardens, or civic plantings where space is available. Minimal maintenance is required beyond formative pruning and periodic removal of lower limbs if clearance is needed.

They look excellent when used as shade trees in large gardens, planted in avenues for civic landscapes, or incorporated into parklands where their broad canopies can be fully appreciated. Their ecological value and ability to support wildlife also make them an important choice in native and habitat plantings.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10–30 m

Mature Width: 8–15 m

Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig is expected to grow 0.5–1 m per year when young, slowing with age.

Frost Tolerance

Is Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig frost tolerant?

Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Flowering Information

Ficus obliqua does not produce visible ornamental flowers; instead, its tiny internal blooms form inside the developing figs. These hidden floral structures later mature into small yellow to orange fruit, giving the tree subtle seasonal interest through its fruiting cycle rather than a traditional floral display.

Native Information

Is Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig an Australian Native? Yes

Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig is Native to Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria, growing in rainforests and coastal regions.

Wildlife Value

Its abundant figs attract fruit-eating birds, flying foxes and native mammals, while the dense evergreen foliage offers excellent shelter and nesting habitat for small birds. The canopy also provides shade and cool micro-habitats that support insects and ground-dwelling wildlife, making it a highly valuable ecological species.

Sunlight Information

Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Ficus obliqua 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 compacted soil unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support vigorous growth, dense evergreen foliage and long-term drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig

Genus: Ficus

Botanical Species: Ficus obliqua

Family: Moraceae

Botanical Name: Ficus obliqua

Landscape Uses

Avenue Planting
Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Choose a sunny, open site with free-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Enrich soil with compost before planting.
Water deeply after planting and mulch around the base.
Allow ample space for surface roots and canopy spread.

Feature Planting: Space 8 – 12 m apart
Shade Canopy: Space 10 – 15 m apart
Avenue Planting: Space 8 – 12 m apart

Water regularly during establishment; reduce once established.
Fertilise annually with a slow-release native fertiliser.
Prune only as needed to maintain clearance or structure.

Sandy soils: Grows well with additional watering during establishment.
Loamy soils: Ideal growth and canopy development.
Clay soils: Tolerates light clay with improved drainage.
Coastal soils: Performs in sheltered coastal gardens with adequate space.
Poor soils: Benefits from compost and seasonal feeding.

Ficus obliqua – Small-leaved Fig / Native Fig is expected to grow 0.5–1 m per year when young, slowing with age.

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

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)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

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

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Ficus obliqua develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry, coastal and urban environments and maintains its dense, rounded evergreen canopy with minimal supplementary watering.