Ficus Alii Braid Plant

Alii is an evergreen banana-leaf fig grown indoors for its narrow, glossy foliage; nursery plants are sometimes sold with braided trunks. This selection belongs to Ficus maclellandii, and a houseplant can grow 6 to 10 feet tall when given space. [North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-maclellandii/common-name/banana-leaf-fig/) ## Light and watering Place the plant in bright, indirect light. Use a potting mix that drains freely and a container with drainage holes. Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of mix have dried, then allow excess water to drain; soggy soil can damage roots. Growth may slow in lower light, so rotate the pot occasionally if the canopy leans toward a window. ## Form and placement The braided trunks provide a sculptural indoor focal point, while the upright crown can be pruned to fit its room. In frost-free climates it can grow outdoors as a tree, but most gardeners in temperate regions keep it as a container plant. Its stems contain latex, so wear gloves and avoid skin contact when pruning. Scale, whiteflies, and ficus mealybugs may occasionally need attention. ## Maintenance Remove dead or damaged growth with clean pruners and trim only as needed to maintain the desired height. North Carolina Extension recommends fertilizing twice a year; reduce feeding when growth is slow.