Ficus spp.
The Ficus genus encompasses a plethora of lovely and interesting crops, from dramatic fiddle-leaf figs (F. lyrata) to the Nice Banyan tree in India, a F. benghalensis specimen that spreads out to cowl practically 5 acres.
The species generally grown as houseplants like rubber timber (F. elastica) and weeping figs (F. benjamina) are in the identical genus because the fig timber cultivated for the miraculous fruits that make our charcuterie boards pop.
The Ficus genus could be very numerous, consisting of vines, shrubs, and timber, with species that develop only a few inches tall to people who attain heights of a whole lot of ft.
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I’ve but to fulfill a ficus I don’t like, from having fun with the fruits of my widespread fig (F. carica) timber to the lovely little ginseng (F. microcarpa) bonsai I carry on my desk.
On this information, we’ll go over what the crops on this genus have in widespread and tips on how to take care of them, in a broad sense.
Right here’s what I’ll cowl:
What Is a Ficus?
No matter which Ficus species you’re rising, there are many similarities between them. Let’s talk about precisely what a Ficus is first.
Ficus is a genus within the Moraceae household, which additionally consists of mulberries. There are 5 subgenera inside the genus: Ficus, Pharmacosycea, Sycidium, Sycomorus, Synoecia, and Urostigma.
There are over 800 Ficus species, rising throughout the globe in tropical and heat temperate areas.
Most do greatest in Zones 9 to 11, although there are outliers that tolerate climates right down to Zone 5 and as much as Zone 12.
Virtually all are evergreens and develop edible fruits, although not the entire fruit is taken into account palatable.
In lots of instances, that’s solely as a result of Westerners haven’t realized to understand the fruits from a few of the species, whereas native populations within the areas the place the crops develop natively take pleasure in them.
However even the place people don’t eat and benefit from the fruits, the wildlife positive does – bats, monkeys, and birds love them.
The distinctive fruits are literally what defines the Ficus genus.
In case you’ve ever opened up a fig, you’ve most likely seen the bizarre inside. That’s really the inflorescence made up of a whole lot of tiny flowers held inside a syconium.
Consider the fig fruit as a big swollen stem enclosing a bunch of tiny flowers.
These flowers can solely be pollinated by fig wasps, which climb within the backside of the fruit via an entrance known as an ostiole. Whereas they’re inside, the wasps pollinate the plant, lay eggs, and may even hibernate there.
All species even have a waxy latex within the stems and foliage that comes out when the plant is minimize, and most have aerial roots. Many Ficus species are epiphytes, and a few – equivalent to strangler figs – kill the host tree as they mature.
With over 800 species within the genus, there’s sure to be some overlap and a few pure hybridization. In some areas there are over 70 species coexisting.
Cultivation and Historical past
A few of the foliage on Ficus timber seems positively prehistoric to me, like one thing the dinosaurs would have eaten.
Specialists estimate that the crops have been round for not less than 60 million years. They’ve almost certainly been part of human tradition for so long as people have existed.
Fossils of Ficus species courting again to 9400 BCE have been found within the Jordan Valley, and people have been cultivating these crops not less than as early because the twelfth century.
Twelfth-century horticulturist Ibn al-’Awwam wrote a ebook about agriculture that included tips on how to domesticate figs. By the fifteenth century, widespread figs have been being grown within the British Isles.
Since then, many species have turn into in style as houseplants, with dozens of cultivated varieties accessible, and others are extensively utilized in landscaping in heat climates throughout the globe.
Ficus Propagation
To propagate Ficus species, stem cuttings are a breeze and air layering works properly, too. Or you’ll be able to all the time pop over to your native nursery and discover a potted plant to carry residence.
From Air Layering
Air layering is so named since you propagate the brand new plant up within the air reasonably than in soil. This may be achieved at any time of yr, however tends to work greatest in spring and summer time.
To start out, search for a sturdy department not less than as thick as your pinky. It must be giant sufficient to assist some moistened moss wrapped in plastic in addition to the growing roots.
Lower or pull off the leaves on the middle of the department to show a bit that’s between six inches and a foot lengthy, relying on the scale of the plant.
Take a pointy, clear knife and make a shallow minimize across the whole circumference of the department.
The aim is to chop via the bark and into the phloem of the stem, however you don’t need to minimize into the cambium.
You have to be slicing via the brown bark and exposing the inexperienced development beneath. In case you minimize past the inexperienced and encounter the white cambium, you’ve minimize too deep.
Don’t fear if this occurs, simply attempt to decelerate and take your time with the remainder of the cuts.
While you’ve made your first horizontal minimize, make one other one about three inches under that. The realm wants to incorporate not less than one leaf node or aerial root node.
Then, make a number of vertical cuts about half an inch aside. These ought to connect with the highest and backside horizontal cuts you made.
Use the blade of your knife to rigorously strip off the bark between the highest and backside cuts to utterly expose the inexperienced layer beneath.
Use a discarded toothbrush or paint brush to place a skinny layer of rooting hormone powder on the uncovered part. You may need to mist the uncovered space first to assist the powder adhere.
Bonide Bontone II Rooting Powder
Bonide makes a wonderful rooting powder, which you should purchase at Arbico Organics in one-and-a-quarter-ounce containers.
It helps to have a second pair of palms for the following half, however you are able to do it your self.
Seize a couple of handfuls of sphagnum moss and soak it in some water. Wring it out and pack it in opposition to the uncovered space of the department. You need not less than an inch of moss all the best way round, however two inches could be even higher.
Maintain the moss in place and wrap it in clear plastic wrap to safe it across the department. Seal the highest and backside of the plastic with twine, zip-ties, string, or tape.
Now, your job is to maintain the guardian plant blissful as you usually would whereas additionally making certain that the moss stays moist.
In case you don’t see moisture on the within of the plastic, open it up on one finish and contact the moss. If it’s feeling dry, spray it with some water.
Finally, you’ll begin to see roots growing contained in the moss. This will occur shortly, relying on the time of yr and the species, or it will probably take months.
As soon as the moss is stuffed a few third of the best way with roots, it’s time to chop the brand new plant away from the guardian.
To do that, take a clear, sharp knife or pruners and minimize via the stem slightly below the moss pack.
Take away the plastic and moss and plant the roots in a pot full of potting soil. Most species wish to be a bit root sure and an outsized pot promotes root rot, so select a container that’s simply an inch or so bigger than the rootball.
Bury the stem deep sufficient that the plant can assist itself in an upright place.
From Stem Cuttings
This technique can be utilized with any Ficus species. Within the spring, search for a pliable stem concerning the diameter of a pencil. Lower off a bit about six to 9 inches lengthy.
A very powerful consideration isn’t the precise size however to take away a bit of stem with not less than one leaf node or aerial root node. Use a pair of fresh clippers or a knife to chop slightly below certainly one of these nodes.
Take away all however the high one or two leaves for smaller-leaved species and all however one leaf for species with giant leaves. Within the case of one thing like a fiddle-leaf fig, you’ll be able to even minimize the leaf in half horizontally.
The aim is to scale back the quantity of leaf tissue that the stem has to assist whereas it’s growing roots. An excessive amount of leaf tissue will shortly drain the stem of all vitamins, whereas too little leaf tissue will scale back photosynthesis.
Fill a small pot with well-draining, water retentive potting medium and make a gap within the middle utilizing your finger, a pencil, or a chopstick.
You should utilize a growers pot for this course of or use the everlasting rising container so that you don’t should transplant the slicing later. The container ought to be round six inches in diameter.
Dip the minimize finish in powdered rooting hormone and insert it into the outlet.
Agency the soil up across the slicing and moisten the potting medium. You’re welcome to make use of a cloche or a transparent plastic bag over the slicing to assist retain moisture – simply be sure the plastic just isn’t touching the foliage.
Maintain the soil moist however not soaking moist, and maintain your slicing in an space with brilliant, oblique mild, or direct morning mild.
After 4 weeks or so, gently insert your hand into the soil beneath the plant and elevate as much as search for roots. In case you see them, you’ll be able to transplant the slicing into its everlasting location.
Transplanting
In case you begin a plant by way of cuttings or air layering, or for those who purchase a ficus on the retailer, there’ll come a time whenever you need to transfer it right into a extra everlasting container.
Be sure that the container you select has drainage holes on the backside and is one or two inches bigger than the present pot.
Gently take away the plant from its present container and loosen up the roots just a little. In case you see any roots which might be mushy or black, or which might be damaged, snip them off with a clear pair of scissors.
Maintain the plant inside the brand new container in order that it is going to be located on the identical depth because it was within the earlier container.
Then, fill in across the roots with a water-retentive, ethereal potting combine. There are mixes on the market made for aroids, and you may all the time nab a type of.
I desire to make use of a product like FoxFarm’s Ocean Forest combine, accessible by way of Amazon, or De La Tank’s Houseplant Combine, which comprises compost, coconut husks, worm castings, bat guano, and pumice to enhance drainage.
De La Tank’s Houseplant Combine
You may decide up a one, eight, or 16-quart bag of De La Tank’s at Arbico Organics.
As soon as the roots are securely in place within the potting soil, water properly. If the soil settles in any respect, add a bit extra.
The right way to Develop Ficus
As a result of the Ficus genus encompasses such a variety of crops, it’s just a little tough to sum up the care necessities for every type. While you decide to a selected species, make sure to learn up on its wants.
Broadly talking, these grown as houseplants want brilliant, oblique mild or some direct morning mild. They will usually tolerate much less mild, however they actually don’t desire it.
Outdoor, most Ficus species want full to partial daylight. Some will mature into big timber, so that they’ll develop giant sufficient to achieve the complete daylight whether or not you need them to or not.
People who develop as epiphytes or small shrubs can often thrive in decrease mild publicity, with some even tolerating full shade.
Relating to water, they often like persistently moist soil, however they gained’t tolerate standing water across the roots.
In case your plant is in a container, water it when the highest quarter of the soil has dried out.
For outside specimens, permit the highest few inches of soil to dry out between watering – within the absence of rain. Established timber gained’t want any extra irrigation besides in occasions of maximum drought.
Most Ficus species come from humid areas. These aren’t crops that you just’ll discover chilling within the dry desert.
Misting isn’t actually an efficient means of accelerating the humidity round your plant, so it’s greatest to buy a humidifier or group houseplants collectively if your property is a bit dry. You can even maintain your plant within the toilet, the place it’s often good and moist.
Attempt to goal for a relative humidity degree of about 50 to 70 p.c. Most species will survive in decrease humidity, however they gained’t thrive.
These crops additionally want heat temperatures – between 55 and 85°F is okay. Don’t maintain your houseplant close to a drafty window or exterior door if it will get actually chilly in your neck of the woods.
Outside crops usually thrive in hotter USDA Hardiness Zones, like 8 and above, however there are a couple of species that develop in additional northern Zones.
Relying on the species, you need to plan to feed indoor crops twice a yr. They aren’t grasping, and overfeeding can lead to yellow leaves and poor development.
Both granular or liquid fertilizer is okay. I typically use a light product that’s formulated for houseplants.
That means, I can use it for all my houseplants with out having to fret that they’re not getting what they want. Feed as soon as within the spring and as soon as in late summer time.
Arber makes a wonderful indoor plant meals with a 3-2-1 NPK ratio that’s good for encouraging a number of leafy development.
Choose up a 16-ounce bottle at Arbico Organics.
In case you’re rising your crops exterior, give them an all-purpose meals except you’re cultivating widespread figs. In that case, use a fruit tree combine to assist fruit manufacturing.
I like Right down to Earth’s Fruit Tree fertilizer, which is out there at Arbico Organics in five-, 15-, and 25-pound biodegradable bins.
Right down to Earth Fruit Tree Fertilizer
It has the correct stability for fruit manufacturing and is derived from pure components like fish bone meal, alfalfa meal, and kelp meal.
Climbing or creeping species will be allowed to path or skilled up a moss pole.
Rising Ideas
- Most Ficus species want persistently moist soil.
- Present brilliant, oblique mild indoors and full to partial solar outdoor.
- Feed in early spring and late summer time.
Pruning and Upkeep
As your crops thrive and develop, potted specimens will want a container improve each few years and as soon as they attain the mature dimension, you’ll nonetheless want to switch the potting substrate commonly.
Over time, potting soils and different rising mediums have a tendency to interrupt down and turn into depleted of vitamins. They will additionally turn into hydrophobic, so the water simply runs round reasonably than via it.
Most crops will be repotted within the spring or summer time by eradicating the plant from its pot, knocking away the soil, and slicing off any lifeless or broken roots.
Place the plant again in the identical pot or in a container only one dimension up. Fill in across the roots with recent potting soil and water properly.
There may be typically no have to prune these crops except you need to change the form or take away lifeless, diseased, deformed, or dying branches. That’s proper, even the edible fig doesn’t want sophisticated pruning as most stone fruit species do.
There’s no have to take away aerial roots. They assist the plant’s well being, they usually’re a very good factor. You may tuck them right into a moss pole for those who’re utilizing one, or simply allow them to be.
Species with giant leaves ought to be wiped commonly to take away any mud. An accumulation of mud can scale back photosynthesis and affect the well being of the plant.
Ficus Species to Choose
As I’ve talked about, there are over 800 Ficus species, however solely a dozen or in order that we generally develop as houseplants or decorative backyard specimens.
Banana Leaf
Typically known as long-leaf figs, banana leaf figs (F. maclellandii) have lengthy, drooping, leathery leaves.
Indoors, they develop to about six ft tall, however they’ll attain nearer to 10 ft in the correct situations.
Of their native China, India, and Southeast Asia, they attain as much as 40 ft tall and produce pairs of spherical fruits.
Like many different crops on this genus, they ship out giant aerial roots that anchor them into the bottom.
There are stunning cultivars with variegated foliage or with compact development habits that lend themselves to indoor life.
‘Alii,’ the commonest cultivar, is usually offered with braided trunks.
It has a dense development behavior and tops out at about six ft tall indoors. Outdoor, it will probably develop in Zones 9 to 11.
Choose up your personal ‘Alii’ in a 3 to four-foot top at Quick Rising Bushes.
Study extra about caring for banana leaf fig crops.
Climbing
Climbing or trailing ficus (F. radicans syn. F. sagittata) is native to southeast Asia, the place it makes use of its roots to climb up timber and different constructions.
The center- or arrow-shaped leaves are shiny, darkish inexperienced, and barely wrinkled.
It’s usually confused with creeping ficus (F. pumila), and whereas they’re related, they’re totally different crops. The leaves of F. radicans are lanceolate in comparison with the cordate leaves of F. pumila.
Climbing figs can develop as much as 30 ft lengthy within the wild, however they often keep a lot shorter within the residence.
Most individuals decide to develop them in hanging baskets, however they’d be pretty rising up a moss pole, as properly. In case you reside in Zones 10 to 12, you’ll be able to develop them in a shady spot outdoor.
Frequent
Frequent figs (F. carica) should develop outdoor in Zones 8 to 10 or in a greenhouse if you would like them to supply fruits.
You can even take pleasure in them indoors as houseplants. The dwarf cultivars work properly indoors and can even produce fruit in case you have a sunny spot in a south-facing window.
With or with out the fruits, the massive, lobed leaves with a cordate base add aptitude to the house.
For indoor fruits or only a manageable outside tree, ‘Petite Negra’ and ‘Fignomenal’ are each phenomenal choices.
Each keep underneath about 5 ft tall with a bushy, dense development behavior. Discover a ‘Fignomenal’ plant at Burpee.
Study extra about tips on how to develop figs in our information.
Creeping
Native to China, Japan, and Vietnam, creeping fig (F. pumila) has naturalized throughout components of North America the place temperatures reliably stay above freezing, although it may be cultivated in Zones 8 to 11.
It climbs up timber, rocks, and different constructions to about 12 ft in size, however stays way more contained indoors.
There are a number of notable cultivars of this species, just like the petite ‘Minima,’ which has tiny half-inch leaves.
Fiddle-Leaf Fig
The Jurrasic-looking leaves of fiddle-leaf fig (F. lyrata) have earned it a spot in all probably the most trendy houses and inns. Outdoors, they make a dramatic assertion reaching 50 ft tall or extra in Zones 10 to 12.
Indoors, they’re way more petite, although no much less dramatic. They usually high out at about 15 ft except you’ve gotten excessive ceilings for them to stretch up into.
There are additionally dwarf cultivars that stay naturally good and small, so that you aren’t having to cut off their tops as they attain the ceiling.
Cute little ‘Bambino’ solely grows to about 5 ft tall with correspondingly smaller leaves than the species plant.
It’s accessible at Quick Rising Bushes in a two- to three-foot top.
Or go together with the basic species in a three- to four- or four- to five-foot top, additionally from Quick Rising Bushes.
Hailing from the lowland rainforests of western Africa, each adapt properly to indoor life, as long as you understand what these crops desire.
In case you want some ideas, learn our information to rising fiddle-leaf figs.
Formosan Creeping
The primary time I ever noticed a Formosan creeping fig (F. vaccinioides), it had been skilled up a body to create a topiary.
I used to be intrigued by the shiny oval leaves and vining development behavior. After I discovered it was within the Ficus genus, I used to be thrilled as a result of I’ve had such good luck rising so many of those crops.
It even grows teeny tiny fruits! It stands other than F. pumila as a result of it has barely bigger leaves however in any other case seems related.
Whether or not you prepare it up a pole or a body or simply let it path down the edges of the pot, it’s a looker. Or develop it outdoor for those who’re in Zones 9 to 11.
Ginseng
Indigenous to Southeast Asia and wildly in style in houses throughout the globe is the gorgeous ginseng fig (F. microcarpa).
It’s extraordinarily widespread as a bonsai as a result of it may be grown indoors year-round, in contrast to many different widespread bonsai species.
You’ll usually see them with disproportionately giant or braided trunks, making them a enjoyable architectural ingredient.
For instance, take a look at this one from Nature Hills in a white ornamental pot.
Indoors, these crops develop to about seven ft tall. Outdoor, they’ll attain 50 ft or extra in Zones 9 to 11.
After all, if you wish to take pleasure in them as bonsai, you’ll be able to maintain them a lot smaller.
Study extra about rising ginseng figs in our information.
Lengthy-Leaf
Native throughout Southeast Asia, long-leaf or narrow-leaf fig (F. binnendijkii) climbs practically 100 ft tall up close by timber and finally strangles them.
It wants heat climates to thrive and may solely be grown outdoor in Zones 10 to 11. Indoors, it’s often skilled as a small tree underneath ten ft tall that resembles a weeping willow.
Don’t confuse it with the opposite long-leaved ficus species, F. maclellandii.
Banana leaf ficus has distinguished basal veins, however they’re related in any other case.
Rubber Plant
F. elastica can develop actually giant, as much as practically 200 ft tall, in its native south and Southeast Asia. It’s most likely greatest generally known as a dramatic houseplant that may attain as much as ten ft tall.
The leaves are what make this species stand out. They’re giant, succulent, and shiny, rising as much as a foot lengthy and 4 inches broad.
They are often both stable inexperienced with a burgundy underside, or variegated in a mix of burgundy, pink, yellow, cream, or white.
Snag the species from Quick Rising Bushes in a six-inch or three-gallon pot.
Or decide up the show-stopping ‘Tineke’ with its pink, olive inexperienced, darkish inexperienced, and creamy yellow leaves.
It’s additionally accessible at Quick Rising Bushes in three-gallon starter pot or your alternative of ornamental pots.
Then, learn our information to rising rubber timber to discover ways to maintain your plant blissful.
Triangle Fig
In case you guessed that F. triangularis has triangular leaves, you nailed it.
The succulent leaves develop as inverted triangles with mushy, curved edges, incomes it the nickname sweetheart tree.
This species is native to South Africa, the place it grows about 15 ft tall in cultivation. Indoors, it will probably develop as much as eight ft tall however often stays about half that.
F. triangularis prefers hotter temperatures than many others on this checklist and for those who intend to develop it outdoor, you’ll have to reside in Zones 12 or 13.
Ficus triangularis ‘Variegata’
You’ll find each stable and variegated variations, as with ‘Variegata,’ which is accessible at Quick Rising Bushes in one- or three-gallon pots.
Weeping
A weeping fig (F. benjamina) is the proper alternative if you wish to carry the look of a landscaping tree to your inside.
It has that basic tree form with twisting ovate leaves in a shiny inexperienced hue, or you could find it with creamy variegation, as properly.
Outdoor, these timber climb up different crops and ship down aerial roots that make it appear to be it has a number of trunks.
They will attain over 50 ft tall of their native Asian and Australian residence. Within the US, they develop in Zones 9 to 12.
As indoor crops, you’ll discover them accessible as braided a number of stems or as single stem specimens. They’ll usually develop as much as about 12 ft tall.
Go to Quick Rising Bushes for a braided stem choice in two- to three- or three- to four-foot top.
After you have your new plant, learn our information to study extra about caring for weeping figs.
Managing Pests and Illness
Some species are way more immune to issues than others. Ginseng fig, as an example, is fairly unbothered by pests or illness normally.
Weeping ficus is understood for dropping leaves for those who even have a look at it mistaken, and this species will be extraordinarily delicate to overwatering. Root ailments usually are not unusual.
Typically, species grown as houseplants may encounter aphids, mealybugs, scale, or spider mites.
All are susceptible to root rot, which is usually attributable to Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum. These pathogens thrive the place there’s a number of moisture, so it’s essential to keep away from overwatering.
Root rot will trigger the leaves to show yellow or brown and fall from the plant.
In case you discover this taking place, one of the best factor to do is to take away the plant from its container and look at the roots. In case you see rot or mushy, black roots, trim all of the symptomatic roots away.
Then, deal with the roots with a biofungicide like Mycostop.
This product is made utilizing sphagnum peat moss which comprises the useful bacterium Streptomyces Pressure K61.
I take advantage of this product anytime my crops are battling root rot and have all the time had good outcomes.
Carry residence 5 or 25 grams from Arbico Organics and observe the producer’s instructions for utility.
Greatest Makes use of for Ficus Species
With so many various development habits, shapes, sizes, leaf variations, and fruit choices, there are a number of methods to benefit from the crops within the Ficus genus.
Many species lend themselves to bonsai and houseplant life. You may develop them as trailing crops, skilled up moss poles or topiary frames, or as free-standing indoor timber.
Outdoor, they are often floor covers, skilled climb up helps, or grown as shrubs or timber.
Some make glorious shade tree choices, others are good hedges. Some species may even be skilled into dwelling bridges and furnishings – Significantly!
In northeastern India, the Khasi folks prepare rubber figs into dwelling bridges.
Fast Reference Rising Information
| Plant Sort: | Woody vines, shrubs, and timber | Foliage Colour: | Inexperienced, yellow, white, variegated |
| Native to: | Africa, Asia, Mediterranean, Oceania, South America | Tolerance: | Some drought |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 6-12, relying on species | Upkeep: | Low to reasonable |
| Bloom Time/Season: | Fruit in spring and summer time | Soil Sort: | Unfastened, wealthy |
| Publicity: | Full shade to full solar, relying on species | Soil pH: | 6.0-8.0, relying on species |
| Time to Maturity: | Varies by species | Soil Drainage: | Nicely-draining |
| Spacing: | Varies by species | Attracts: | Ficus wasps (outdoor) |
| Planting Depth: | Similar depth as rising container | Makes use of: | Bonsai, trailing, climbing, houseplants, shrubs, floor cowl, panorama timber |
| Peak: | As much as 200 ft relying on species | Order: | Rosales |
| Unfold: | As much as 200 ft relying on species | Household: | Moraceae |
| Water Wants: | Reasonable | Genus: | Ficus |
| Frequent Pests and Illness: | Aphids, mealybugs, scale, spider mites; Root rot | Species: | Benjamina, binnendijkii, carica, elastica, lyrata, maclellandii, microcarpa, pumila, radicans, triangularis, vaccinioides |
There’s Heaps to Love Concerning the Fabulous Ficus Genus
The Ficus genus includes a few of the most beloved houseplants in addition to the timber that develop our coveted fig fruits. They’ve beautiful leaves, fascinating trunks, and weird flowers. There’s rather a lot to like about these crops.
Which Ficus species are you interested by? How do you intend to develop it? Share your plans within the feedback part under.
Now that you just’ve mastered the genus, you may need to study extra about rising Ficus crops. If that’s the case, we now have the guides that will help you alongside. Listed here are only a few: