Ficus Aspera

Just as its name implies, the mosaic fig (or clown fig)— along with the rubber plant (ficus elastica) and fiddle-leaf fig (ficus lyrata)— is a relative of the common grocery-store fig. In fact, if properly grown, this plant will bear similar (though pink-and-cream variegated) fruits, that are anecdotally edible (but generally unrecommended, since global sensitivities hasn’t been widely tested). That said, the ruffled, stained leaves of this plant have been used for cleaning kitchenware or for its otherworldly aesthetic, and its association with figs has made it an alternative symbol of prosperity and divinity. 

How to Care for Ficus Aspera

Hailing from tropical Vanuatu, this tree prefers warm, humid environments, and in the right conditions it can grow over 5 feet. That being said, it’s important to keep the conditions of the plant consistent (out of drafts), and to give it well-draining soil that dries out between each watering period.