Ficus

Ficus lyrata

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Ficus lyrata is a hemiepiphytic tree from West and Central African lowland forests, where it begins life rooted on a host before reaching the ground. It wants warmth and steady bright indirect light near a window rather than harsh direct sun, with airflow and a freely draining mix that never sits soggy. Let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering, and err toward dry, since its roots rot when kept wet.

Ficus elastica

Rubber Plant

Ficus elastica is a large tree from the warm, humid forests of South and Southeast Asia, where it grows toward bright but filtered canopy light. Give it a bright spot out of harsh midday sun and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering, hedging toward the drier side since its roots resent sitting wet. Average household humidity suits it; it tolerates ordinary indoor conditions well.

Ficus benjamina

Weeping Fig

Ficus benjamina is a tropical tree from the warm, humid forests of South and Southeast Asia, grown indoors as a glossy-leaved specimen. Give it a bright spot with plenty of indirect light, away from harsh direct sun, and water when the top inch or two of mix has dried. It dislikes sudden change and sitting wet, so let it approach dryness between waterings and keep it in a stable, draft-free position.

Ficus microcarpa

Chinese Banyan

Ficus microcarpa is a tropical and subtropical tree from across South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, often grown indoors as a compact specimen or bonsai. Give it a bright spot near a window with steady, indirect light, and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering to avoid the root rot it is prone to when kept soggy. It tolerates ordinary household humidity and dislikes sudden moves or drafts, which can trigger leaf drop.

Ficus pumila

Climbingfig

Ficus pumila is a creeping fig in the Moraceae family, a small-leaved trailing or climbing vine that clings as it grows. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top inch of mix has dried out, letting it approach dry between waterings rather than sitting wet. It tolerates average household humidity but appreciates more even moisture in dry air.

Ficus aurea

Florida Strangler

Ficus aurea is a strangler fig native to subtropical and tropical forests from Florida through Central America, where it begins life as an epiphyte before becoming a large tree. Indoors it wants bright indirect light and a chance to approach dryness between waterings; water when the top inch or two of mix is dry, and never leave it sitting wet, as its roots resent prolonged saturation. It tolerates ordinary household humidity but appreciates steady warmth and good air movement.

Ficus altissima

False Banyan

Ficus altissima is a large fig tree native to the warm, seasonally moist forests of tropical and subtropical Asia, where it often begins life as an epiphyte before establishing as a canopy tree. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top inch or two of mix has dried, letting it approach dryness between waterings rather than staying wet, as Ficus roots resent sitting soggy. It tolerates ordinary indoor humidity.

Ficus burkei

Natal Fig

Ficus burkei is a member of the fig family (Moraceae), a group of largely woody trees and shrubs whose milky latex can irritate skin and stomachs. Give it a bright spot out of direct midday sun, and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering, then water thoroughly. Its precise native range and growth habit are unrecorded here, so err toward less frequent watering until you see how it responds.

Ficus hispida

Hairy Fig

Ficus hispida is a tree native across tropical and subtropical Asia and into northern Australia, from the Himalayan foothills to monsoon forests. Indoors it wants bright indirect light and even but not constant moisture; let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering, as a containerized fig rots if left sitting wet. It tolerates ordinary household humidity, though it appreciates warmth and good airflow.

Ficus septica

Septic Fig

Ficus septica is a fast-growing tree from the warm, humid lowlands of Southeast Asia, Malesia, and the western Pacific, where it grows in bright clearings and forest edges. Give it bright indirect light and warmth, and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering again so the roots never sit soggy. As a fig it can be vigorous, so favour underwatering over keeping it constantly wet.

Ficus sur

Broom Cluster Fig

Ficus sur is a fast-growing fig tree native across tropical and subtropical Africa, where it grows in open woodland and along watercourses. Indoors it wants bright, indirect light and a well-draining mix; let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering again, as the woody roots resent sitting wet. As a vigorous tree by nature, give it room and expect steady growth in a warm spot.

Ficus subpisocarpa

Japanese Superb Fig

Ficus subpisocarpa is a tree from the warm, seasonally moist forests of subtropical and tropical East and Southeast Asia. Give it a bright spot with plenty of indirect light, and water when the top inch or two of mix has dried out, letting it approach dry between waterings rather than staying wet. As a fig it has a milky latex; avoid sudden cold and water more sparingly in winter when growth slows.

Ficus triangularis

Triangle Fig

Ficus triangularis is a woody fig in the Moraceae family, grown as a small shrub or tree with leathery, drought-tolerant foliage. Give it a bright spot with plenty of indirect light, and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering again, since this genus resents sitting wet and drops leaves when overwatered. Like many figs it carries a milky latex that can irritate skin and may be a hazard if chewed.

Ficus vaccinioides

A small creeping fig from Taiwan, this subshrub has a fine, trailing habit suited to bright indirect light rather than harsh direct sun. Water when the top inch of mix has dried; let it approach dryness between waterings, as the roots dislike sitting wet. It tolerates ordinary household humidity but appreciates steady, even moisture in its growing season.