Ficus Rubiginosa - Evergreen Trees Direct

Ficus Rubiginosa

Name: Ficus Rubiginosa
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: FICRUB300L
Price: 2550.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$2,550.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 300L

300L 200L

Current Stock Height Guides

200L: 2.2m – 3.5m Approx.
300L: 2.2m – 3.5m Approx.

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 Rubiginosa

Ficus rubiginosa, known as Rusty Fig or Port Jackson Fig, is a stunning evergreen tree native to eastern Australia, prized for its lush, glossy foliage and versatile landscape uses. Growing 15–20 meters tall and 10–15 meters wide, it creates a broad, rounded canopy that provides excellent shade and privacy.

With dense, dark green oval leaves that stay vibrant year-round, Ficus rubiginosa looks excellent in large gardens, parks, or as avenue planting along streets. Its adaptability to various soils—including coastal and drought-prone areas—makes it a reliable, low-maintenance choice that adds natural charm and strong visual appeal to any space.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Ficus Rubiginosa is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 10 – 15 meters

Ficus Rubiginosa is expected to grow 30 – 60 cm per year (moderate).

Frost Tolerance

Is Ficus Rubiginosa frost tolerant?

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

Flowering Information

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

Native Information

Is Ficus Rubiginosa an Australian Native? Yes

Ficus Rubiginosa is Native to Eastern Australia, from coastal Queensland through New South Wales, where it grows naturally in rainforests, rocky outcrops, and along sheltered coastlines.

Wildlife Value

Its abundant figs attract fruit-eating birds, flying foxes and other native mammals, while the dense evergreen canopy provides excellent shelter, shade and nesting habitat for small birds. The tree also hosts specialised fig wasps and supports insects and microfauna that make it an important ecological species in native gardens.

Sunlight Information

Ficus Rubiginosa will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Ficus rubiginosa performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can manage poorer soils but may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as it matures to support strong drought resilience, canopy density and long-term vigour.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Port Jackson Fig

Genus: Ficus

Botanical Species: rubiginosa

Family: Moraceae

Botanical Name: Ficus rubiginosa

Landscape Uses

Shade Tree
Avenue Planting
Screening or Privacy
Council or Civic Landscapes
Street Tree

Ficus Rubiginosa works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Choose the Right Location: Select a suitable planting site with well-draining soil and sufficient space to accommodate the tree's mature size. Ensure it receives adequate sunlight or partial shade.

Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole that is roughly twice the size of the tree's root ball and of equal depth. Loosen the soil in the hole to facilitate root growth.

Remove from Container: Gently remove the tree from its container, taking care not to damage the roots. If the tree is balled and burlapped, remove the burlap and any wires from around the roots.

Plant at the Right Depth: Place the tree in the center of the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the ground's surface. Fill in the hole with soil, tamping it down gently as you go to remove air pockets.

Mulch and Water: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Water the newly planted tree thoroughly.

Feature Planting: Space 8 – 10 m apart for full canopy development

Hedging & Screening: Not typically used for formal hedging due to large size

Avenue Planting: Space 7 – 10 m apart for broad avenue planting

Watering: Provide regular watering during the tree's establishment phase. Once established, Ficus rubiginosa is moderately drought-tolerant, but it benefits from occasional deep watering during dry periods.

Pruning: Prune to maintain the desired shape and remove dead or diseased branches. Minimal pruning is typically required.

Fertilization: Fertilize in the spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support healthy growth.

Pest and Disease Management: Keep an eye out for common pests and diseases like scale insects and fungal issues. Address any problems promptly with appropriate treatments.

Protection from Frost: While Ficus rubiginosa is relatively frost-tolerant, young trees may benefit from protection during severe frosts. Consider wrapping the trunk with frost cloth or providing temporary shelter.

Optimizing Soil for Health and Aesthetic Appeal

Ideal Drainage:
Prefers well-drained, rich soil, which is fundamental for its health and aesthetic appeal.

Well-Draining Soil:
Key to maintaining the vibrant foliage and overall vigor of Ficus rubiginosa.

If you have the following soil, here are some tips for you:

Sandy Soils:
Clay Soils:
Loamy Soils:
Acidic or Alkaline Soils:

Ficus Rubiginosa is expected to grow 30 – 60 cm per year (moderate).

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)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

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 rubiginosa develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry, coastal and urban environments and maintains its lush, rounded evergreen canopy with minimal supplementary watering.

Flowering Information

Does Ficus Rubiginosa flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Not Applicable

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Ficus rubiginosa suitable for coastal areas?
A: Yes, Ficus rubiginosa is known for its salt tolerance, making it a great choice for planting in coastal regions.

Q: How often should I water a mature Ficus rubiginosa tree?
A: Mature trees are relatively drought-tolerant. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells or when the soil around the root zone feels dry.

Q: Does Ficus rubiginosa attract wildlife?
A: Yes, this tree produces small, spherical fruit that attracts wildlife, especially birds.

Q: Can Ficus rubiginosa be used as a privacy screen?
A: Yes, the dense foliage of Ficus rubiginosa makes it an excellent choice for creating a natural privacy screen.

Q: When is the best time to prune a Ficus rubiginosa tree?
A: Prune Ficus rubiginosa during the dormant season in late winter or early spring to encourage healthy growth.

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