Benjamin tree 'Starlight'

Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' | Also known as: Waringin 'Starlight', Tropic laurel 'Starlight', Java fig 'Starlight', Java tree 'Starlight' | Rating: 2 votes | Print / Pdf

The Benjamin Tree, or Ficus benjamina, is an evergreen shrub that sports wonderfully glossy leaves and orangey-red and black fruits during the autumn. Although it’s an easy plant to grow, this sub-tropical small tree can’t cope with the harsh winter frosts the UK experiences. This makes it ideal to grow in a conservatory or indoors, although it will happily live outside during the warmer months of summer. It is toxic, and can cause skin allergies in some people

Rate it:
Plant
Known dangers?
  • yes
Dangers: comments
  • Avoid eating leaves of this plant, or you may have mild stomach upset. Its sap may irritate your skin.
Height [m]
  • 2.5
Spread [m]
  • 1.5
Dominant flower colour
  • Green
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Flowering seasons
  • Mid winter
  • Late winter
  • Early spring
  • Mid spring
  • Late spring
  • Early summer
  • Mid summer
  • Late summer
  • Early autumn
  • Mid autumn
  • Late autumn
  • Early winter
Foliage in spring
  • Green
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Foliage in Autumn
  • Green
Foliage in winter
  • Green
Awards?
  • Yes, let it smell
Propagation methods
  • semi-ripe cuttings
  • seed
  • leaf cuttings
Growth habit
  • Bushy
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z10-11
Heat zone
  • H12-10
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -1 - 4
Heat days
  • 150 - 210
Moisture
  • well-drained but frequently watered
Soil type
  • sandy
  • Clay
  • chalky
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Trees & shrubs
  • Trees
Grown for
  • Ornamental Foliage
Creative category
  • For Beginners
  • Bonsai
  • Author's choice
Garden type
  • Indoor or winter garden
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • up to 20 years
Found a mistake? Let us know
1 Related plants
Ficus benjamina

Benjamin tree

PLANTS Ficus benjamina

The Benjamin Tree, or Ficus benjamina, is an evergreen shrub that sports wonderfully glossy leaves and orangey-red and black fruits during the autumn. Although it’s an easy plant to grow, this sub-tropical small tree can’t cope with the harsh winter frosts the UK experiences. This makes it ideal to grow in a conservatory or indoors, although it will happily live outside during the warmer months of summer. It is toxic, and can cause skin allergies in some people