Etymology | Genus | From the Latin name for the fig (Ficus species) |
---|---|---|
Species | Like a lyre, probably referring to the leaves | |
Family | Moraceae | |
Synonyms | - | |
Common Names | Fiddle-leaf Fig | |
Status | Exotic: Cultivated Only | |
Form | Tree | |
Native Distribution | Tropical West & West Central Africa |
Ficus lyrata is a popular ornamental plant grown both indoors in pots and outdoors as a small bushy tree. It is especially valued for its bold, architectural foliage, which gives a dramatic accent in interior spaces and gardens. The large, stiff leaves are shaped somewhat like a fiddle or lyre, with broad tops and narrower, heart-shaped bases. Their margins often curl slightly inward. The leaves are arranged closely together in a spiral pattern along the stem, forming dense clusters of foliage that point upward.
When grown indoors, the plant typically stays compact and shrub-like, while in outdoor conditions it can develop into a small tree with a spreading crown.
Potted plants at Hougang (2025).
Leaves arranged in whorls.
Leaf, note cordate base.
Closeup of leaf underside.
Stiplues.
Figs.