"Alii" is the Hawaiian name for "king". It is closely related to the ficus Benjamina, but is more tolerant and forgiving - it rarely scheds leaves, will tolerate lower light, and can be moved around without going into shock. They grow slower than a ficus Benjamina
The leaves of a ficus Alii are quite different than those of the usual ficus trees. The are medium green, 3″-10” long, narrow, willow-like, and thick. The newer King Alii ficus have wider leaves than the original ficus alii trees. New growth is a pretty reddish-bronze color until the leaves mature to a natural green color. If you want a ficus tree in your home or office, a ficus Alii is a great alternative to the finicky ficus Benjamina.
Most ficus trees enjoy bright indirect or filtered light with variegated varieties happily able to take medium light. Bright, direct light may result in scalding of the leaves and leaf loss. Ficus trees also cannot tolerate low temperatures or drafts.
They need to be kept in temperatures above 16C. (60F.) and actually prefer temperatures above 21C. (70F.). Cold drafts from windows or doors will harm them, so make sure to place them somewhere where drafts will not be an issue.
