Houseplant
Council Tree
Ficus altissima
Monrovia® varieties
Varieties We Carry
VariegataFicus altissimaMonrovia
Sizes & Pricing
#3MonroviaFrom$59.95
#7MonroviaFrom$99.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 15.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterModerate
Mature size30-50+ feet in frost-free sites; commonly kept smaller in containers × 20-40+ feet in the landscape
About Council Tree
Council Tree (Ficus altissima) is a large tropical fig native to Southeast Asia, grown as a bold houseplant or patio specimen for its broad, glossy green leaves with prominent pale veins. Hardy only to USDA zone 10, it must be container-grown and brought indoors during cold snaps in NE Florida zone 9b. Starting at $59.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Can be planted with extra attention to watering.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter. May need protection below 25°F.
Care essentials
Light
Prefers bright indirect to full sun; best grown as a patio container specimen in NE Florida zone 9b, where it must be moved indoors or protected when temperatures drop below 40°F.
Water
Water moderately, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings; reduce watering in winter. Avoid waterlogged soils, which cause root rot.
Soil & Fertilizer
Grow in well-drained, loamy to sandy potting mix if in a container. Fertilize monthly during the warm growing season with a balanced fertilizer; stop feeding in fall. In zone 9b, plant in-ground only in the most frost-protected microclimates — this tropical fig is cold-sensitive and best treated as a container specimen.
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Common questions
Is Council Tree a good plant for St. Augustine?
Council Tree is a houseplant for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 30-50+ feet in frost-free sites; commonly kept smaller in containers × 20-40+ feet in the landscape.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.