Ficus deltoidea is part of the Moraceae family and its native range is Peninsula Thailand to Malesia. It is a shrub or tree and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome, it has also been described as an epiphyte. Leaves are heart shaped to triangular with visible hydathodes on the upper side (the plant organ responsible for guttation in vascular plants) and oil glands on the leaf undersides. There is a lot of discussion online regarding how variable the leaf shape of this plant can be in its native habitat; even on the same plant the leaves can differ - some with deltoid branching veins, others with a central vein and branched sides. This variety has creamy white leaf margins.
Genus name is from the Latin meaning ‘fig’. The specific epithet comes from the Greek letter “Δ”, delta, like a triangle, triangular.
This plant is similar to Ficus triangularis, I find it hard to tell them apart!
Pot: ø 17cm
Height: Approximately 50cm from base of pot.
Light: Bright indirect light, meaning the plant sees the sun for 0-4 hours per day - this could be through trees or a translucent curtain, it’s important for the plant to see the sky in order to thrive.
Water: Allow the first 2-3 inches of the mix to dry out. Before watering, ensure the substrate isn’t compacted, if it is, aerate it with a few pokes of a skewer or blunt stick, pour water slowly over the top and allow the water to pass through the drainage holes.
Potting mix: A chunky well-draining mix composed of coco coir, perlite or vermiculite, orchid bark and worm castings, you could also add some horticultural charcoal and sphagnum moss to the mix.
Fertilising: Feed your plant every other watering during the growing season or when you observe active growth. You can dilute fertiliser to half the recommended amount but never add more.
Temperature: 18-27°C.
Humidity: Ficus would prefer higher humidity (over 60%) but do well to adapt to average home humidity. You can increase humidity by placing the plant on a watered pebble tray or using a humidifier.
Ficus deltoidea are toxic, keep out of reach of pets and children.