+35 types of ficus

This is a list with some of the best known species and varieties of ficus :

• Ficus Benjamina
• Ficus Ginseng
• Ficus lyrata
• Ficus Elastica
• Ficus Carica
• Ficus Microcarpa
• Ficus Rubiginosa
• Ficus Pumila
• Ficus Alii
• Ficus Racemosa
• Ficus Cyathistipula
• Ficus Petiolaris
• Ficus Altissima
• Ficus Macrophylla
• Ficus Umbellata
• Ficus Americana
• Ficus Danielle
• Ficus Auriculata
• Ficus Obliqua
• Ficus virens
• Ficus Insipida
• Ficus Maxima
• Ficus Drupacea
• Ficus salicifolia
• Ficus obtusifolia
• Ficus Ingens
• Ficus Religiosa
• Ficus Amstel
• Ficus Hawaii
• Ficus Diversifolia
• Ficus Maclellandii
• Ficus Palmeri
• Ficus aspera
• Ficus natalensis
• Ficus aurea
• Ficus Panda

The ficus benjamina or Ficus Benjamina , since its common name coincides with the scientific one, it is the most popular of the potted ficus , cultivated mainly as one of the tall indoor plants . Under natural conditions it can reach heights of up to 30 meters, but indoors its size is much smaller despite its rapid growth.

It is of the strangler type, which in nature grows by climbing the trunk of another tree, even suffocating it, to hold itself in place. Indoors it tends not to bear fruit and if cut produces an irritating white latex.

As important care, we highlight that this is one of the types of ficus that need abundant, but not direct, lighting and warm temperatures above 13 ºC. Here we explain more about the care of the ficus benjamina and about the care of the bonsai ficus benjamina .

The retusa ficus , also called ficus ginseng ficus microcarpa L. , is particularly popular for use as bonsai ficus . Fans of this cultivation technique appreciate it especially for its aerial roots, which grow giving it a very characteristic appearance, as well as for its marked resistance.

It is a plant that has its origin in Southeast Asia and southern China. It is evergreen in character, with oval-shaped, glossy green leaves. Its flowers are commonly called figs, since they look like fruits despite not being so. The trunk of the ficus retusa is gray with white areas. If you work with it for bonsai, we must be careful with the whitish and irritating latex that the trunk exudes when it is cut.

Here you can discover more about the care of the ficus ginseng bonsai .

The Ficus Lyrata is another plant very appreciated in interior decoration , in this case by its striking bright green foliage with large leaves and glossy appearance. In fact, it owes its name to the oval shape of its leaves, which are reminiscent of a lyre.

It is a species that has its origin in Africa and bears a certain resemblance to fig trees. Its most important requirement is light, since it needs to be in very bright locations, but without direct sunlight. This is one of the drought-resistant types of ficus and only needs fertilizing in the warm months.

This species is commonly called gomero or rubber tree , as well as ficus elastica , but its scientific name is Ficus Elastica or Ficus Robusta . It is an original ficus from the northeast of India and western Indonesia, although in Europe it has been used as a houseplant since the 19th century.

Like many other types of ficus , this plant needs a warm climate, so its cultivation outdoors is only possible in tropical or temperate climates such as the Mediterranean, in areas where the temperature is approximately between 16ºC and 21ºC. With proper care it can reach quite significant heights, even indoors and in a pot.

Talking about the care of ficus in general can be somewhat risky, since, as we have mentioned, there are a large number of species and many of them have specific needs. However, there are some characteristics and cares that most plants of this genus share. Still, if you think something is not going well with your ficus, consult the specific needs of your species.

• Watering: ficus tend not to be too demanding with watering. In addition, their water needs will depend on the amount of light they receive, so it is best to water when the top layer of the substrate has dried, and do so with warm water to avoid sudden changes in temperature for the plant. Here you can learn more about when to water plants .
• Location: These plants can be grown indoors, but they will still appreciate all the light possible, as long as they do not receive it directly. The brighter the room or area it is in, the more and the better the plant will grow.
• Fertilizer: in the cold months most ficus do not need a supply of fertilizer, but in summer it is convenient to give them a regular supply of this, either organic or synthetic chemical fertilizer .
• Other cares: indoor ficus cannot withstand drafts, neither cold nor hot. Therefore, it is necessary to keep them away from air conditioners and radiators, which affect their health very negatively.