Ficus plant: How to grow and care for it?

Ficus plant is one of the most popular foliage plants suitable for growing as an ornamental houseplant inside, or outside in gardens. Ficus trees hold importance in Buddhism and Hinduism. Ficus Religiosa is the most popular Bodhi tree, under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. Ficus comes in an amazing variety, from low ground cover to tall trees, each one with beautiful texture and leaves. Ficus plants are species of woody trees, native to tropical regions of the world. Ficus plants are available in various shapes and sizes. There are about 850 species of plants in the Ficus genus. Ficus plants’ sizes range from small shrubs to huge trees, and in different colors. All species are distinct due to their tendency to have aerial roots, as well as the fruits they bear. Its genus includes trailing types, Bonsai, and indoor Ficus tree. Fig species are characterized by their inflorescence and unique pollination as done by wasp species belonging to the Agaonidae family.

Also read about: Benjamina ficus tree

Read about the Groundnut plant

Ficus plants: Key facts

Ficus plants: Care tips

Here are some things to remember when maintaining a Ficus plant.

Ficus plant: Soil and fertilizer requirements

The best type of soil to grow Ficus plants is well-drained loamy soil. Ficus thrives in neutral soil that has a PH between 6.5 and 7. If you are growing Ficus indoors, ensure that there are enough holes at the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to drain out. Add fertilizers during the spring and summer seasons to the plant once in a month. During the autumn and winter months, you can slow it down to once every other month. Ficus plants prefer balanced and all-purpose fertilizers.

Ficus plant: Sunlight requirements

Ficus plants enjoy bright indirect or filtered light. It loves bright, soft light. Hot, direct sunlight can scorch its leaves. Outdoor Ficus trees should be protected from wind and direct sunlight. Nearly all indoor plants, belonging to the Ficus genus, require plenty of light. Try and rotate the container regularly to encourage even growth.

Ficus plant: Water requirements

Ficus plants need consistent, but moderate watering throughout the growing season, with dry spells in winters. Make sure the soil remains moist, neither dry nor drenched. Over-watering will turn its leaves yellow. You can increase humidity by misting its leaves regularly.

Ficus plant: Pruning requirements

The best time to prune Ficus trees indoors is during the spring and winter seasons. This can help to maintain the growing indoor tree to a reasonable height. Regular pruning also encourages new leaves’ growth and results in a bushy Ficus tree. It can reach immense heights naturally, but only if you re-pot plants into a large container. Therefore, you must keep your Ficus healthy by controlling its growth through pruning.

Also read about these gardening ideas and tips for beginners

Ficus plant: Varieties

There are many types of Ficus trees including shrub-like plants, creeping vines, and woody trees. For outdoor spaces, Ficus plants can be large Banyan, Fig, or Laurel trees. Popular indoor Ficus plants are Fiddle-leaf fig, rubber plant, Audrey Ficus, and Weeping Fig. Leaves grow dark burgundy in rubber plants, diamond-shape in Weeping Fig, small-as-a-pinky-nail in some creeping varieties, and others have huge leaves.

Here are some of the most common varieties of Ficus plants.

Ficus Benjamina or Weeping Fig

Also known as Weeping Fig, Ficus Benjamina is a popular indoor plant with green shiny leaves and a bushy appearance. Found all over the world, Ficus Benjamina got the name of ‘Weeping tree’ as it tends to shed its leaves whenever it is moved from one position to another in an unfavorable habitat.

Ficus Elastica or Rubber Plant

Commonly known as the Rubber Plant or Rubber Tree, Ficus Elastica is one of the easier Ficus plants to grow and maintain indoors. Rubber trees can be found in many varieties: variegated, deep maroon, and green leaves. As per Feng Shui, Ficus Elastica attracts wealth, prosperity, and good luck.

Ficus Lyrata

Lyrata means lyre-shaped, referring to the plant’s large leathery leaves (up to 12 inches) that resemble the shape of a fiddle. This member of the Moraceae family is native to West Africa. This tropical plant also serves as an air purifier.

Ficus Microcarpa or Indian Laurel

Ficus Microcarpa, better known as Indian Laurel, is a popular indoor houseplant, native to the tropical regions of Asia and Africa. It has dark-green leaves and a ginger-shaped fat trunk with aerial roots, making it an ideal Bonsai specimen. Growing to a height of 1 to 3 feet, it can make a perfect addition to your home.

Also read how to grow and take care of Ficus Auriculata

Ficus Pumila or Creeping Fig

Also known as Creeping Fig or Ivy Fig, Ficus Pumila is a type of woody creeping vine that grows both inside, as well as outside. It has small heart-shaped leaves and fast climbing growth. Ficus Pumila grows well in pots where the green foliage can dangle down. So, you can place them indoors in hanging baskets or on a shelf. It is often seen on walls of large mansions in many countries.

Ficus Benghalensis or Banyan Tree

Ficus Audrey or Ficus Benghalensis, is a woody plant with a light trunk and vibrant green leaves with light green veins. It’s also known as Strangler Fig and Banyan Tree. Even though this type of Ficus tree grows to enormous heights outside, you can keep it as a compact indoor plant. Banyan tree is a home to distinct animals and birds. The tree is also known as ‘Kalpavriksha’, which means wish-fulfilling tree.

Ficus Carica or Common Fig

Ficus Carica is usually known by its common name, Common Fig. Ficus Carica is rich in vitamins and minerals, besides producing edible fruits. It is known for its large, lobed leaves and cultivated as an ornamental as well as a fruit tree.

Ficus plants: Propagation

Propagating Ficus is not difficult, but messy due to the milky sap that oozes out when cut. Stem cutting is the common method to propagate the vine and shrub varieties. Take a branch and cut about 12 to 14 inches from it. Place the cutting into well-drain soil in a pot and cover it with clear plastic, which works like a greenhouse. Fill a small pot with well-drain potting soil and place the cutting into the soil. Water thoroughly and put it in a sunny location with no direct rays. After two months, new roots will appear. Once the root system has been established, plant it into a 6-inch pot and watch it thrive.

Ficus plants: Common pests and diseases

Cleaning the leaves of Ficus regularly with a damp cloth to wipe dust can also remove pests that gather under the bottom of leaves. If Ficus has brown leaf edges, it means there is lack of water and light, or low humidity, or both. Dry leaves indicate too much of direct sunlight or low humidity. Leaves fall can be caused by sudden change in temperature, changing the location of the plant, or over-watering. Falling leaves can be the first sign that something is wrong with the soil. If you find the leaves of your plant are falling, then check if its soil is getting drained properly.

Harmful microorganisms can damage outdoor, as well as indoor plants. The first sign of scale insect infection is yellowing and curling of leaves that result in quick death. Wash the plant directly under the tap or shower to wash off all insects. This is the easiest way to get rid of. Wash every leaf to clear the infestation and repeat the process a few more times. Indoor and outdoor Ficus trees are vulnerable to mites, scale, mealybugs, whiteflies, and aphids. Fight these pests with an insecticide, such as neem oil. Occasionally, Ficus trees can contract a leaf spot disease. Cut and remove the infected leaves to stop further spread of fungus growth.

Ficus plant: Importance

Ficus is an ancient genus being more than 60 million years old. The fruits of certain Ficus species are edible and impart economic importance. These trees also hold immense cultural importance, both as a holy religious symbol and for their medicinal value. Ficus plants have majorly influenced several cultures in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Jainism. Moreover, the medicinal value of these trees was demonstrated in various aboriginal literature. Additionally, Ficus trees are considered vital components of tropical ecosystems as they are particularly attractive to seed dispersers and can be quite effective for tropical forest restoration. 

Ficus plant: Benefits

There are many benefits of Ficus plants. Some of these include:

• There are several varieties of Ficus plants, which have purple fruits called figs. These are packed with nutrients and associated with many health benefits. Common fig (Ficus Carica) is cultivated for its pear-shaped edible fruits, which are nutritious and aid in digestion, decrease the risk of heart diseases, and help manage blood sugar levels.

• Ficus or fig tree is home to birds, butterflies, monkeys, and bats.

• Ficus plants also purify air by filtering toxins from it. They can filter out pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

• Ficus fruits, roots, and leaves are used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as gastrointestinal indigestion, hemorrhoids, inflammatory conditions, loss of appetite, liver disorders, urinary diseases, diarrhea, diabetes, and respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.

• Some Ficus trees are cultivated as a source of rubber and paper.

Ficus plants: Toxicity

Many Ficus varieties, like Ficus Elastica (Rubber plant), Ficus Maclellandii, and Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig tree), contain poisonous sap, which can cause gastrointestinal and dermal irritation in animals. While the sap’s toxicity is relatively mild, it can also cause serious allergic reactions in children. It’s highly advisable to keep your Ficus plants away from the reach of pets and kids. 

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