ficus

the fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata) is native to africa. its dark green and glossy leaves can get more than 40 cm/16 inches long. but there are smaller cultivars available.

care

ficus lyrata likes a bright location with partial sun (morning and/or evening), light shade will be tolerated. it needs room temperature throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

a regular potting mix can be used. keep it moist but not wet and avoid overwatering such as drying out completely. drying at the soils surface is ok.

a half strength water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in winter (if placed at room temperature). if placed at 15 °c/59 °f it must not be fed. a re-potted plant don’t needs to be fertilized for the first eight weeks.

the fiddle leaf fig loves to be sprayed over with water regularly. this also keeps its leaves dust free.

ficus lyrata “bambino”

propagation

the fiddle leaf fig can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.

propagating the sacred fig (ficus religiosa) with seeds isn’t difficult. you can use a good regular potting mix. give the seeds just on the soil. to increase humidity put a glas or a freezing bag over the pot. don’t forget to air daily. place the pot on a bright location without direct sun. temperature should be +20 °c/68 °c. keep the soil moist but not wet.

the sacred fig needs approx. 7 to 21 days to germinate (at 25 °c/77 °f). if the seedlings are approx. 5 cm/1.97 tall you can start slowly adapting them to your room climate with extending the airing time day by day. when they are 10 cm/3.94 inches tall they can be divided an re-potted.

the rubber fig (ficus elastica) is a houseplant which was very popular in the 1950’s. its leaves can get more than 30 cm/12 inchs long, but there are cultivars with smaller or variegated leaves available. it is native to india and indonesia. other common names: rubber plant or indian rubber bush.

care

the rubber fig can be placed from bright to light shaded but does best on a bright location with some morning and/or evening sun. for building up their colored leaves the variegated cultivars shouldn’t be placed to dark.

a good regular potting mix can be used. keep it moist but not wet and avoid overwatering. drying at the soils surface will be tolerated but it shouldn’t dry completely.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly (spring/summer) and avery six to eight weeks (fall/winter). if placed a bit cooler in winter it needs less watering and must not be fed.

the rubber fig likes room temperature throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °/59 °f.

spraying it over with water increases humidity and keeps its leaves dust free.

propagation

the rubber fig can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.

the weeping or benjamin’s fig (ficus benjamina) is one of the most popularest house and office plants. there are a lot of culitvars with white or yellow variegated leaves available. the small ones can be used as indoor bonsai. its tolerating some poor growing conditions, but if you like to have a beautiful and healthy plant give it some care.

the weeping fig is native to asia and australia and can get till 30 meters (100 ft) tall in its natural habitat.

care

ficus benjamina does best in bright light with some morning and/or evening sun. but it also grows on a light shaded place. for building up their colored leaves the variegated cultivars shouldn’t be placed to dark. during summer it can be placed in the garden, but bring it in if the temperature is falling below 15 °c (59 °c) constantly.

a good regular potting mix can be used. keep it constantly moist but not wet and avoid overwatering or drying out. drying at the soil’s surface will be tolerated.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly or every six to eight weeks during fall/winter. if placed colder at this time, there is no need to feed.

ficus benjamina likes to be placed warm throughout the year with a winter minumum of 15 °c (59 °f). to keep its leaves free from dust spray it over with water or give a shower. if becoming too tall it can easily be cutted back.

fresh bought or relocated plants sometimes drop some leaves but are producing new, if they have adapted to their new surroundings.

f. benjamina “variegata”

propagation

the benjamin’s fig can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.

the chinese banyan (ficus microcarpa) has a lot of names, sometimes it’s called malayan banyan, indian laurel or green island fig. here in germany it’s very popular under the name ficus ginseng. the not so easy to grow housplant is sometimes sold as indoor bonsai.

care

the chinese banyan does fine from bright (without afternoon sun) to light shade. i have two, one placed on a northern window and the other on the south side gets some evening sun. during summer it can be placed in light shade in the garden or on the balcony.

ficus microcarpa needs a medium humidity and likes if sprayed over with water sometimes. this also keeps the leaves free from dust.

it can be grown in a standard potting soil which can be mixed with some sand (3:1).

keep the soil moist but not wet and avoid overwatering. remove water running out of the pot’s hole after a few minutes. let it dry at the surface between the waterings. but it should not dry out completely.

a water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly (half concentrated) and every six to eight weeks if placed at room temperature during fall/winter.

the green island fig needs a winter minimum of 15 °c (59 °f).

to keep the bonsai in shape it should cutted back. if ficus microcarpa is placed at room temperarture this could be done throughout the year. otherwise it can be done in spring.

propagation

propagation can be done by seeds or cuttings.