Ficus cyathistipula (African fig)
- Regular price
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€64,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€64,95
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Frequently asked questions
How often should a large Ficus be repotted? Every 2 to 3 years in spring into a slightly larger pot with well-draining soil — wait until roots come out of the bottom of the pot before repotting.
Why does a Ficus lose its leaves after purchase? It’s a normal reaction to a change in environment — choose its permanent spot when you set it up and avoid moving it; the plant will stabilize within a few weeks.
Shipping & packaging
Shipped within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 working days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection so your plant arrives in perfect condition
- Tracking link sent by email as soon as your parcel ships
- Free delivery from €85 (Ireland: €120) depending on your country
ZEN ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us promptly at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- We will find the right solution for your situation
- No return needed — we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage in transit, plants severely weakened on arrival, and order preparation errors.
CARE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack your plant immediately and inspect it
- Let it acclimatize for 24-48h in a bright spot out of direct sunlight
- Check the soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting, if needed
- Keep it away from heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe the leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
🌍 Origin Central Africa • 🌿 Glossy dark green foliage • 🏙️ Architectural form • 💧 Easy care • 🏙️ 2 sizes available
The Ficus cyathistipula, or African fig, is a tree-like indoor plant that immediately stands out with its architectural presence and lush foliage. Its large, thick, glossy dark green leaves with slightly coppery tones evoke the luxuriance of the humid forests of Central and West Africa, where it originates.
Easy to care for and visually striking, it structures spaces in the indoor jungle and naturally stands out among large XXL plants for contemporary interiors.
Which Ficus should you choose?
Verdeia offers several Ficus varieties with distinct silhouettes. Here is how the Ficus cyathistipula compares with the rest of our Ficus collection:
- Ficus cyathistipula (this plant) — large, thick, glossy dark green leaves and a dense, bushy form. The most architectural African fig for large spaces.
- Ficus benghalensis 'Joy' — broad, velvety light green leaves and an upright form. The choice for an airy effect and a more streamlined silhouette.
- Ficus benjamina 'Danielle' — small, glossy leaves and a flexible, branching form. The classic weeping Ficus for bright interiors.
- Ficus binnendijkii 'Alii' — long, narrow leaves and a slender form. The choice for a more graphic, contemporary look.
Light & placement
Ficus cyathistipula adapts well to the conditions of a standard urban apartment — its tolerance of bright partial shade makes it a reliable choice even in rooms without a south-facing window. Its only real requirement is stability. It does not cope well with sudden changes of location, which can cause leaf drop.
- Light: bright indirect light or bright partial shade — protected from direct rays that can scorch the leaves.
- Locations: living room, entrance hall, bright office — anywhere it can play the role of a structural plant.
- Stability: choose its permanent location from the start and avoid moving it.
Turn the pot a quarter turn every two weeks so the foliage develops evenly — without moving the plant from its usual location.
Watering & care
Easy to care for, Ficus cyathistipula tolerates missed waterings well thanks to its thick foliage, which retains moisture. The main concern is avoiding excess water, one of the most common causes of yellowing leaves.
- Frequency: approximately once a week — water when the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Humidity: lightly mist the foliage in summer to recreate the tropical atmosphere of its native habitat.
- Fertilizer: every 4 to 6 weeks from spring to fall, following the principles of indoor plant nutrition.
- Cleaning: wipe the large leaves with a soft, damp cloth once a month to maintain their shine and support photosynthesis.
Decorating ideas & plant combinations
The dense silhouette and glossy foliage of Ficus cyathistipula make it a structural plant — it serves as a leafy backdrop or focal point in a tropical arrangement.
- For an XXL jungle in the living room, pair Ficus cyathistipula with a Monstera deliciosa and a Kentia — the thick, glossy leaves of the African fig in the foreground, the Monstera's graphic splits in the middle, and the Kentia's upright fronds above create three coherent levels of tropical texture.
- For contrasting foliage in a bright space, place it next to a Zamioculcas — the African fig's shine and volume contrast with the ZZ's compact, upright form for a graphic and robust arrangement.
- To emphasize its architectural silhouette, choose a large terracotta or anthracite ceramic decorative pot — the warm or neutral tones of the ceramic visually ground the plant and highlight its glossy dark green foliage.
- In a Ficus arrangement, pair it with Ficus benghalensis 'Joy' — the difference in texture between the velvety leaves of the benghalensis and the glossy leaves of the cyathistipula creates a subtle and highly effective contrast in a large space.
Verdeia tips
- Choose its permanent location from the start: Ficus cyathistipula responds to changes of location by dropping leaves — once acclimated, leave it in place and it will develop dense, stable foliage.
- Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring in a well-draining soil mix: an all-purpose mix enriched with perlite or clay pebbles prevents standing water, the main cause of decline in this species. Spring repotting into a pot just slightly larger is all it needs.
- Keep it away from radiators and air conditioners: dry heat and drafts weaken its foliage and encourage mealybugs — a stable location between 18 and 26 °C ensures steady growth throughout the year.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Ficus cyathistipula
- Common names: African fig, copper-leaf fig
- Family: Moraceae
- Origin: Central and West Africa
- Size on delivery: 🏙️ 2 sizes available — H105 cm | Pot Ø21 cm or H120 cm | Pot Ø27 cm
- Foliage: Glossy, thick, dark green, slightly coppery
- Light: Bright indirect light to bright partial shade
- Watering: Moderate, about once a week
- Care: Easy
- Toxicity: Slightly toxic to animals and children
- Decorative style: Tropical / Architectural / Contemporary
Each plant is unique: the density, size and shine of the foliage naturally vary depending on light and season.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs €8.90 to €24.90 depending on your country, and delivery is free from €85 (Ireland: €120). You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.