Ficus is one of the most popular houseplants: it is easy-going, long-lived and suits almost any interior. The genus includes trees, shrubs and climbers with large or small, plain or variegated leaves. Here are the species that do best indoors and how to care for them.
The genus Ficus belongs to the mulberry family, Moraceae, and has around 850 species, mostly tropical evergreens — the edible fig among them. Ficus plants are remarkable: the Indian banyan (Ficus benghalensis) can grow a whole “grove” of aerial roots from a single tree, and in the Indian state of Meghalaya the roots of rubber figs are trained over decades into living bridges across rivers. The sacred fig, or bodhi tree, is revered in Buddhism and Hinduism as the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.
Natasha is compact with small leaves, often with a braided stem. Kinky is a dwarf with variegated cream-and-green leaves. Starlight is variegated with a broad white edge. Variegated cultivars need more light than green ones.
The classic fiddle-leaf fig grows to the ceiling with leaves up to 40 cm. Bambino is a compact form with smaller leaves for small rooms. Both dislike being moved and cold glass.
Microcarpa with swollen roots ("ginseng ficus") is sold for bonsai. Moclame is a microcarpa cultivar with rounded glossy leaves and a dense crown.
Robusta is green and the toughest; Abidjan has almost black burgundy leaves; Tineke is variegated cream and green with a pink tint.
The common fig (Ficus carica) can be grown in a tub: dwarf self-fertile varieties start fruiting 2–3 years after a cutting roots. Put it on a sunny balcony in summer and keep it cool at 5–10 °C in winter, when it drops its leaves and rests. The wood of its relative, the sycamore fig, was used in ancient Egypt for coffins and statuettes.
Almost all ficus are propagated from tip cuttings in spring or summer. Rinse the milky sap from a 10–15 cm cutting with 2–3 leaves, let it dry briefly and stand it in water or moist free-draining compost under a bag; roots appear in 3–5 weeks. Large-leaved ficus with a tall stem (rubber plant, fiddle-leaf fig) are easily air-layered, and creeping fig roots itself wherever its stems touch the soil.
Usually because it was moved, sat in a draught or the cold, had a sudden change of light or was overwatered. Give it a permanent bright spot and leave it there — it will recover within a few weeks. Yellowing lower leaves on a mature plant are usually just natural renewal.
Ficus sap irritates skin and can trigger reactions in people with latex allergy, and the plant is toxic to cats and dogs. Wear gloves when pruning.
Ficus also has a special place in feng shui — see feng shui houseplants.
The rubber plant: it copes with part shade, dry air and irregular watering better than the rest.
Yes, it is perfectly safe; just make sure it gets enough light.
Typically every 5–7 days in summer and every 10–14 days in winter, depending on how fast the soil dries.
Ficus and other potted plants are available in our potted plants with delivery in Kyiv section.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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