Top down view of green ficus plant leaves.

Ficus

Ficus is a genus of tropical and subtropical plants that are often grown in temperate climates as houseplants, although they can be grown outdoors if you live in warmer growing zones. These plants are known for their beautiful foliage where they add a touch grace to any indoor environment. Two better known examples of Ficus houseplants are rubber trees and fiddle-leaf figs. Fruit producing fig trees are also members of this genus. Read our guides below to find all the information you need to know to start growing and caring for Ficus plants in your home or office.

How to Grow and Care for Banana Leaf Figs

A horizontal overhead shot of a variegated Ficus maclellandii growing indoors.

Flaunting gorgeous light brown bark and bursting with lush green leaves, banana leaf figs are a wonderful choice for well-lit indoor spaces. Growing and caring for Ficus maclellandii is pretty simple, too. In this guide, we’ll go over how to propagate, cultivate, and maintain these beauties properly. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Ficus Plants

A horizontal shot of a large banyan tree with reaching branches along the side of the road.

Fiddle-leaf, edible, ginseng, creeping, weeping, and rubber. Massive landscaping trees, quick-growing bonsai, adaptable houseplants, and evergreen shrubs. There are so many lovely fig plants to enjoy in so many different ways. This guide explains what defines a Ficus and how to care for this group of plants.

How to Grow a Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

A horizontal shot of a ginseng fig bonsai growing to the left hand side of the frame. The pot is set against a concrete background.

If you want an easy-to-care-for bonsai that can live indoors, a ginseng fig is the ideal choice. These tough little trees are happy when grown as houseplants and give you the “aged” look in just a few years. Learn how to plant, prune, and care for Ficus microcarpa bonsai plants in this guide. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Ginseng Ficus

A horizontal close-up shot of dark green, glossy ginseng ficus leaves.

Ginseng figs (Ficus microcarpa) are adaptable houseplants that survive in a wide range of conditions and bring a tree-like appeal indoors. They can tolerate full sun or indirect light, a bit of drought, and are rarely troubled by pests and disease. Learn how to care for Chinese banyan houseplants in this guide. Read more.

Why Is My Rubber Tree Dropping Leaves?

A horizontal close-up of two leaves on a rubber tree plant.

When a rubber tree (Ficus elastica) starts dropping its huge, glossy leaves, there’s a big, obvious gap left behind. This guide will cover the common reasons why leaf drop happens, whether it’s a pest infestation or maybe just a change in environment, and how to fix the cause so that those leaves stay put. Read more.

When and How to Prune Ficus Trees

A horizontal close-up of a pair of gardening clippers snipping off the end of a ficus branch.

Whether you’re looking to create a fuller plant or clean up one that’s looking a little messy, weeping figs can benefit from a little pruning. Effective trimming can promote new growth, help limit disease, and encourage your ficus tree to grow into a neater shape. Find out when and how to do it in this guide.

Why Is My Ficus Dropping Leaves?

A close up horizontal image of a weeping fig growing in a pot with yellowing leaves scattered on the wooden floor around it.

If you care for a ficus houseplant, chances are you will experience leaf drop at some point. Why do these plants drop leaves so readily, and what can you do about it? Learn about the common causes of defoliation, as well as how to avoid it when possible, and what to do if the leaves are already falling. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Fiddle-Leaf Fig

Top down views of the green leaves of several fiddle leaf fig plants.

Fiddle-leaf fig trees make a stunning addition to indoor spaces with their architectural shape. But they can be fussy, and seem to drop their leaves and turn brown at the drop of a hat. Don’t let their finicky nature put you off or turn you into a frustrated plant parent. This guide will set you on the right path.

Tips for Growing Outdoor Weeping Fig Trees

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a weeping fig growing outdoors in the garden.

Fussy indoors, weeping figs are hardy outside. But keeping them – and yourself – happy requires planting them in the right spot. Near sidewalks, plumbing, or pools, they can spell disaster. You can have a beautiful evergreen that works equally well in the landscape as it does as a hedge or topiary. Read more.

How to Grow and Care for Weeping Fig Plants

A close up horizontal image of a large weeping fig growing in the corner of a room.

Weeping figs have a reputation for being fussy, and they’ll shed their leaves at the drop of a hat. But with a little know-how, they make reliable indoor plants that add color and elegance to the home. We’ll show you how to keep your benjamin fig looking beautiful, with its leaves intact. Read more now.

How and When to Prune Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a fiddle-leaf fig in a pot indoors.

If you love your fiddle-leaf fig but also feel a little intimidated by it, you’re not alone. It’s a notoriously finicky plant, and when it comes to pruning, the task can feel impossible. But pruning your fiddle-leaf fig is an important part of its care, and it’s not difficult to do. Learn all about it now in our guide.

Why Is There a Red Sheath on My Ficus Elastica? Do Rubber Trees Flower?

A close up horizontal image of a red sheath on a ficus plant.

In spring and summer, your healthy, actively growing Ficus elastica, or rubber tree, may send up a red sheath that appears to be a bud. While the rubber tree can produce a type of inflorescence, this is rare for plants grown indoors. So, if it’s not a bud, what other purpose could that sheath possibly serve?

How to Grow and Care for Rubber Tree Plants

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of Ficus elastica aka rubber tree plant.

Rubber tree is often chosen as a houseplant, with its structured branches, colorful varieties, and big, glossy leaves lending interest to modern decor. This tropical tree can reach towering heights of over 100 feet in the wild, but with a little pruning and some mottled sunlight, these robust plants can thrive indoors.