Ficus (Ficus spp.)

Ficus Plant Features

Ficus -- also called figs -- are among the most popular indoor plants, and for good reason. These are easy to grow houseplants and offer a lot of variety, from low groundcover types to tall trees. Ficus also offer a variety of textures, so there's one for practically everyone's personal style.

Weeping ficus is perhaps the most popular indoor tree. Its shiny leaves and gracefully arching branches give the tree a delicate, elegant appearance. Rubber trees are also popular upright types; they have large leaves, which are often flushed with shades of red and purple. Creeping figs are also common houseplants; they have small foliage and are excellent for hanging baskets. And fiddle leaf fig has become one of the trendiest houseplants because of its large, dramatic leaves.

Creeping fig is an excellent choice for hanging baskets and growing on a mantle. Because of its tiny stature, creeping fig is also ideal for terrariums.

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Ficus Growing Instructions

Grow most ficus varieties in medium to bright light. If they don't get enough light, they'll grow slowly and have long stems, giving the plants an unattractive, lanky appearance. Most ficus varieties will tolerate some direct sun on their leaves when grown as houseplants, so they're great choices for sunny window sills.

Water ficus when the top inch or so of the potting mix starts to feel dry to the touch. Ficus are quite resilient and survive inconsistent watering, but grow best when they get moisture on a regular basis. Creeping ficus varieties tend to want to be kept a little more moist than their upright-growing cousins. Don't let them dry out completely.

Fertilize ficus once or twice a year in spring and summer, when temperatures are warmer and plants are putting on more growth. You can fertilize your ficus more frequently if you wish; doing so will cause these plants to grow faster.

Prune ficus anytime they start to get too large. Most types take well to pruning and will branch out, becoming thicker and bushier when you cut them back. One note: Ficus have a milky-white sap and some tips will drip sap after pruning. Use a rag or soft cloth to absorb the sap to prevent it from dripping on the floor.

While ficus are easy to grow, weeping ficus in particular has a reputation for dropping a lot of leaves when it experiences a change in condition. So if your ficus loses leaves when you first bring it home, don't worry: It should regrow new foliage once it's adapted to its new location.

Get in-depth information on fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)!

Note: Ficus are not meant for human or animal consumption. These plants produce a milky sap that can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin.

Water

Medium water needs
Light

Indoors: High light

Indoors: Medium light
Colors

Green

Purple

Variegated
Special Features

Purifies the air

Our favorite varieties

Ficus Audrey in a white self-watering houseplant pot on an orange table in a living room

Audrey Ficus

Ficus benghalensis

Audrey Ficus is an easy-care tree that sports gray-green leaves with slightly fuzzy undersides. Like other tree-type Ficus, it can grow more than 8 feet tall indoors, but takes well to pruning. It's also called Banyan Fig and is native to India.

Burgundy Rubber Plant

Ficus elastica 'Burgundy'

Burgundy rubber plant is a particularly fun houseplant because it has dark purple-green leaves that are very shiny. Burgundy rubber plant can grow into tree form over time.

Red Ruby Rubber Tree

Ficus elastica 'Red Ruby'

Red Ruby rubber tree is a delightful variety that offers large dark green leaves heavily variegated with red, purple, and white.

Variegated Rubber Tree

Ficus elastica 'Robusta Tineke'

This variegated rubber tree has dark green leaves edged in cream and white.

Moonshine Variegated Ficus

Ficus elastica Schrijvereana

Properly called Ficus elastica Decora Schrijvereana, but usually referred to as Moonshine or Shivereana, this variegated Ficus variety sports light green leaves heavily speckled in dark green.

Fiddleleaf Ficus

Ficus lyrata

An elegant houseplant tree, fiddleleaf fig has big, leathery leaves and grows to be an impressive indoor plant.

Little Fiddle

Ficus lyrata 'Bambino'

Little Fiddle is a slow-growing dwarf selection that reaches only about 3 feet tall, making it ideal for adding a bold look to smaller spaces. It has the same care needs as its larger sibling.

Alii

Ficus binnendijkii 'Alii'

Alii ficus is a lovely tree that has long, narrow leaves, adding an outstanding texture to spaces when used as a houseplant or in offices.

Creeping Ficus

Ficus pumila

A lovely houseplant, creeping fig stays low, creating a carpet of medium-green leaves. If you let it climb, it will grow up trellises and walls, too.

Dorty Creeping Ficus

Ficus pumila 'Dorty'

Dorty creeping fig is an especially textural variety that has dark green, wavy leaves with bold, creamy-yellow variegation running up the center of the leaf.

Bellus Creeping Ficus

Ficus pumila 'Bellus'

A variegated creeping fig, Bellus has a medium growth rate and beautiful white edges around the leaves.

Curly Creeping Ficus

Ficus pumila 'Curly'

Curly is a particularly fun creeping ficus that has green, wavy leaves with bright, lime-green centers.

Sunny Creeping Ficus

Ficus pumila 'Sunny'

A lovely indoor plant, Sunny creeps or trails and has a mat of green foliage delicately edged in white.

Ficus vaccinioides

Ficus vaccinioides is a rare relative of creeping fig that has dark green, textural leaves and a similar growth form, making it excellent in hanging baskets.