Ficus cyathstipula - African Fig - 2.5L / 17cm / Medium
$20.00Ficus Cyathistipula – The Resilient African Fig
For those seeking a hardy, lush indoor plant, Ficus Cyathistipula, also known as the African Fig, is a low-maintenance yet striking option. With its deep green, glossy leaves and naturally bushy, upright growth, this species brings a tropical, structured aesthetic to any space. Unlike the more temperamental Fiddle Leaf Fig, the African Fig is far more forgiving, making it an excellent choice for those who want a statement plant without the fuss.
Origin: Native to Central and West Africa, where it grows in moist, tropical forests and along riverbanks.
Growth Habit & Size: A fast-growing, bushy shrub or small tree that can reach 1.5–2 meters indoors. Its thick, leathery leaves give it a full, robust appearance, and it naturally branches out as it matures.
Shape & Spread: Oval, glossy green leaves with a slightly wavy edge. Growth is upright but can be pruned for shaping, making it adaptable to both floor-standing and tabletop displays.
Room Placement: Prefers bright, indirect light, making it ideal for north-facing or east-facing rooms in the southern hemisphere. Works well as a floor plant in living rooms, hallways, or offices, providing a bold, leafy presence. Can tolerate medium light conditions, though growth will slow.
Difficulty Level: Easy – Highly adaptable and resilient. Handles lower humidity, occasional drought, and moderate neglect, making it a great beginner-friendly choice. Prefers well-draining soil and benefits from occasional pruning to encourage fullness.
🔎 Rarity Check: Uncommon in New Zealand – Not widely stocked in major garden centers but occasionally available through specialty stores and collectors.
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested; sap may cause skin irritation.
Plant Size Guide
The plant in the photos is an example and an approximate guide only however we try to show an average sized example. Sizes, flowering state and colours change throughout the seasons and variation will occur. In summer & autumn, plants are often larger or the same size as than the example picture but around winter and spring, they can be a little smaller but still at a size similar to the example. We aim to update the pictures to reflect significant differences.
Plant Heights - because the plant's foliage must fit inside our Plant Cartons, the actual height of a plant's central trunk (meristem) will be shorter than the box it fits in.
Small Plants - 14cm wide nursery pot - 1 Litre volume - Plants fit in a 50cm tall box.
Medium Plants - 17cm wide pots either 2L hanging pot or 2.5L nursery pot - Plants fit in a 75cm tall box.
Large Plants - 25cm wide pot, 10L volume. Plants fit in a 100cm tall box.
XL Plants - Plants over 100cm tall in pot sizes specified, 25cm/10L or greater and are hand delivered within Auckland/Northland only.
Dispatch Times
Plant courier orders are processed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
North Island orders are targeted overnight delivery, South Island orders are sent on a 2-day target but these are not a guaranteed delivery timeframe.
Add 1 extra day after a public holiday as well as for rural addresses or remote towns.
Monday - We send orders placed on previous Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Tuesday - We send Weekend orders from previous Saturday & Sunday.
Wednesday - We send orders placed from Monday & Tuesday.
XL Plants are delivered only within urban Auckland & Whangarei and this service is for non-urgent orders. This excludes satellite destinations such as Beachlands, Pukekohe, Piha, Helensville etc and Whangarei Heads. We may deliver at any time Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday in Auckland and you need to have a sheltered accessible position for us to deliver to.
Plants in Transit
Each Small, Medium & Large plant is individually contained within its own protective cardboard Plant Carton which may be joined to other cartons in your order.
Plants typically take just a day or two to arrive, however they are usually fine in their cartons for 1-2 weeks, and many can go longer, so a few extra days are not usually cause for concern.
Whether it takes 1 or 7 days, let your plant recover from its journey by placing in gentle light and adding a little water and it will be back to its best within a couple of days. Let us know if there are any major issues via the contact page.
