Ficus are currently one of the most popular plants in interior decoration. When we talk about Ficus we are actually referring to a whole genus, which has almost 800 species of sizes as different as trees, shrubs and vines. They are tropical plants that are usually offered as indoor plants because they do not need much light, but some ficus can reach really impressive sizes.
If you want to learn more about the different species of ficus, join us in this article in which you will meet +35 types of ficus, their names, characteristics and photos of some of them.
Types of ficus – list of names
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
Ficus benjamina, one of the best known types of ficus
The ficus benjamina or Ficus Benjamina , as its common name coincides with the scientific one, it is the most popular of the potted ficus , grown 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.
Ficus retusa or ginseng
The ficus retusa , also called ficus ginseng or Ficus Microcarpa L. , is particularly popular for its use as a 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, with oval-shaped, bright 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.
Ficus lyrata
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. Your most important requirement is light, since you need 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.
Elastic ficus
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.
How to care for a ficus – basic care
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 it with warm water to avoid sudden changes in temperature for the plant.
- 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.
