Commonly known as:Â Giant Ficus Moclame Triple TIer
Botanical name: Ficus microcarpa ‘Moclame’
There are large plants, and then there are plants that have taken years of growing and training to reach the form you see today.
The Giant Ficus Moclame Triple Tier definitely falls into the second category.
Standing approximately 1.8m tall, each tree has been carefully trained to produce three separate heads of foliage, positioned one above the other along an established trunk. Each head has been repeatedly pruned and allowed to branch, gradually developing into the dense rounded crowns you see on the finished plant.
You simply can’t rush a tree like this.
The height can be achieved relatively quickly under nursery conditions, but developing an established trunk and three individually trained crowns takes considerably longer. That’s what separates this plant from the younger Moclame varieties you’ll normally find for sale.
Ficus Moclame has naturally small, rounded leaves, which makes it particularly well suited to this type of training. Frequent pruning encourages the branches to divide repeatedly, creating incredibly dense heads of foliage without the plant becoming coarse or untidy.
These specimens are supplied in 30cm black nursery pots and stand approximately 1.8m tall. They’re already mature indoor trees, so you get the scale and structure immediately rather than buying a young plant and waiting years for it to develop.
Despite its appearance, Moclame isn’t particularly difficult to grow. What it does demand is light – and plenty of it. This is a Ficus tree, not a low-light foliage plant. Position it close to a large window, give it excellent airflow, water it properly and feed it regularly.
A few hours of direct sun is beneficial once the plant has acclimated. Regularly rotating the tree will also help all three crowns receive light and maintain their shape.
The foliage can be pruned whenever it starts growing beyond the existing heads. In fact, occasional pruning is exactly how you maintain that distinctive triple-tier form. Fresh shoots will branch again, gradually making each head even denser.
For anyone looking for a genuinely substantial indoor tree, this is one of the most established plants I offer. You’re not simply paying for 1.8m of height – you’re buying the years of growing, pruning and training that created the tree.
Giant Ficus Moclame Triple Tier Care Guide
Watering – How often should I water it?
Water thoroughly once the upper few centimetres of growing medium have started drying. With a large 30cm root ball, check deeper than just the surface before watering. Allow excess water to drain freely and don’t leave the pot standing in water. Equally, don’t repeatedly allow the entire root ball to become completely dry.
Airflow – Is airflow important?
Very. Remember that you’re growing a tree indoors. Fresh air and good circulation around all three heads help maintain healthy foliage. Open windows when weather permits and take the tree outside occasionally if you’re able to.
Light – How much light does a Ficus Moclame need?
A massive amount. Position it close to a large window where it receives strong natural light throughout the day. Morning sun is excellent, and an acclimated Moclame can handle several hours of direct sunlight. Don’t put a tree like this in a dark corner or several metres away from a window.
Acclimating – How do I help it adjust to indoor living?
Ficus trees respond extremely well to spending some time outdoors. During the warmer months, you can rotate the plant between a few days indoors and a few days outside in a bright, protected position. This gives it additional light and airflow while helping it adjust to long-term indoor growing. Always introduce stronger direct sunlight gradually.
Airflow – Is airflow important?
Very. Remember that you’re growing a tree indoors. Fresh air and good circulation around all three heads help maintain healthy foliage. Open windows when weather permits and take the tree outside occasionally if you’re able to.
Soil – What growing medium should I use?
Use an open growing medium that drains freely while still retaining enough moisture for a large tree. I recommend Milled Bark Growing Medium with some Perlite added for additional airflow and drainage.
Repotting – When should I repot it?
Don’t repot simply because you’ve bought it. A mature Ficus can remain perfectly happy in a relatively compact root ball. Once the roots have properly filled the 30cm pot and the plant requires a larger container, repot during the warmer growing months and move up only one pot size.
Feeding – Does a Ficus Moclame need much fertiliser?
Yes. Maintaining three dense heads of foliage requires plenty of nutrition. Use Controlled Release Fertiliser to provide consistent nutrition over time. You can supplement this with Grobest Organic Fertiliser, while Novatec Soluble Fertiliser is an excellent option when you want to push strong, active growth.
Leaf Care – Should I clean the foliage?
Yes. With three dense heads, there’s a lot of foliage to collect dust. If possible, take the tree outside and hose it down thoroughly about once a week during warm weather. This cleans the leaves, increases airflow through the canopy and helps with pest management.
Pruning – How do I keep the three distinct heads?
Don’t be afraid to prune it. Once shoots begin extending beyond the rounded crowns, trim them back to maintain the existing shape. Pruning encourages further branching, which helps each head become progressively fuller.
Rotating – Should I rotate the tree?
Definitely. With three separate crowns, even light distribution is particularly important. Give the pot a quarter turn regularly so that every side receives good natural light and the tree doesn’t begin leaning towards the window.
Pests – What should I look out for?
Scale, mealybugs and spider mites are the main pests worth checking for. Dense foliage provides plenty of hiding places, so inspect inside each crown as well as the outer leaves. Regularly hosing the foliage down makes pest management considerably easier.
Temperature – What temperatures does it prefer?
Warm conditions around 18°C–28°C are ideal. During winter, protect it from very cold windows at night and reduce watering as growth slows. Avoid combining cold conditions with heavily saturated growing medium.
FAQ’s
Q: Why is the Giant Ficus Moclame Triple Tier more expensive than a normal Ficus Moclame?
You’re buying considerably more than height. These are mature trees that have been grown and repeatedly trained over many years to create three separate, dense crowns along an established trunk. That structure takes time to develop and can’t be recreated quickly with a young plant.
Q: How large is the plant?
The Giant Ficus Moclame Triple Tier stands approximately 1.8m tall and is supplied in a 30cm black nursery pot.
Q: Are the three heads natural?
The Ficus naturally produces branches, but the distinctive three-tier shape comes from years of careful training and pruning. Each crown has been encouraged to branch repeatedly to produce its dense rounded form.
Q: Will the three heads keep their shape?
Yes, with occasional pruning. Trim longer shoots as they extend beyond the existing crowns. This maintains the tiered appearance and encourages each head to become even denser.
Q: Is Giant Ficus Moclame difficult to care for?
No. The care itself is straightforward. The important part is understanding that this is a tree and therefore needs lots of natural light, good airflow, sensible watering and regular fertilising.
Q: Can I put it in a dark corner?
Definitely not. A mature Ficus of this size needs strong natural light. Position it close to a large window rather than trying to use it to fill a dark area of the room.
Q: Can it handle direct sunlight?
Yes. Gentle morning sun is excellent, and once properly acclimated it can handle several hours of direct sunlight. Increase direct sun exposure gradually rather than moving an indoor-grown tree straight into harsh sun.
Q: Should I put my Ficus Moclame outside occasionally?
Yes. During suitable weather, a few days outside in a bright protected position gives the tree additional light and airflow. Regular outdoor rotations can be particularly useful while acclimating a large Ficus to indoor living.
Q: How quickly will it grow?
With strong light, warmth and regular fertilising, Moclame can produce plenty of fresh growth through spring and summer. Because this plant has been trained into three tiers, you can either allow that growth to extend or prune it regularly to preserve the existing shape.
Q: Is Ficus Moclame pet safe?
No. Like other Ficus species, it contains a milky latex sap that can cause irritation and shouldn’t be eaten by cats, dogs or people.
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