Ficus is the fig genus, with about 850 species of trees, shrubs, vines and epiphytes in the mulberry family, according to NC State Extension. Only two are grown widely for fruit. Many more are grown as houseplants and bonsai, from the big-leaved fiddle-leaf fig to the small creeping fig.
Indoor ficus have a milky latex sap and dislike cold draughts. UF/IFAS notes they are sensitive to sudden changes in light, so a move can trigger leaf drop. They differ in leaf size, habit and how much light they need indoors.
13 indoor ficus at a glance
Descriptions are from NC State Extension and UF/IFAS. Heights are for plants grown indoors unless noted.
| Ficus | Leaf | Size | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F. lyrata (fiddle-leaf fig) | Large, leathery, fiddle-shaped, up to 45 cm (18 in) long | 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) | Bright indirect or part shade | Protect from afternoon sun |
| F. lyrata ‘Bambino’ | As the species, on a dwarf plant | A few feet tall | As the species | Dwarf |
| F. lyrata ‘Compacta’ | Smaller leaves | Up to 1.5 m (5 ft) | As the species | Compact |
| F. elastica (rubber plant) | Stiff, glossy, leathery, to 43 cm (17 in) long | 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) | Bright indirect or part shade | Pink or purple stipules |
| F. elastica ‘Robusta’ | Deep green, waxy | Up to 2.4 m (8 ft) | As the species | NC State: the most common type |
| F. elastica ‘Burgundy’ | Dark green with burgundy tones | Up to 1.8 m (6 ft) | As the species | Dark-leaved |
| F. elastica ‘Tineke’ | Green with cream or pale yellow variegation | Up to 4 m (13 ft) | As the species | Variegated |
| F. benjamina (weeping fig) | Glossy, 5–13 cm (2–5 in), long drip tip | 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) | Bright indirect; survives shade | Drops leaves when moved |
| F. benjamina ‘Too Little’ | Small | Dwarf | As the species | Used for bonsai |
| ’Alii’ (F. binnendijkii or F. maclellandii) | Slender, olive green, drooping, 8–25 cm (3–10 in) | 1.8–3 m (6–10 ft) | Lowest light of the group | Often braided |
| F. pumila (creeping fig) | Heart-shaped, to 2.5 cm (1 in) on climbing stems | Vine | Bright indirect or part shade | Likes high humidity |
| F. microcarpa ‘Ginseng’ | Dark green, teardrop-shaped, leathery | — | Sunny, warm spot | Swollen exposed roots; bonsai |
| F. microcarpa ‘Green Island’ | Glossy, deep green | — | — | NC State: very popular houseplant |
Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
NC State describes a tropical tree from western and central Africa, kept at 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) indoors. Its leathery, lyre-shaped leaves reach 45 cm (18 in) long and 30 cm (12 in) wide. It wants bright indirect light or partial shade, protection from afternoon sun and temperatures above 13 °C (55 °F). It is sensitive to overwatering.
‘Bambino’ is a dwarf that stays a few feet tall, and ‘Compacta’ reaches about 1.5 m (5 ft) with smaller leaves. NC State also lists ‘Variegata’, with green and cream leaves, as uncommon.
Our fiddle-leaf fig care guide covers watering and light. If yours is shedding, see fiddle-leaf fig dropping leaves and fiddle-leaf fig in low light. To get a single stem to branch, read about apical dominance. For water and potting mix, see fiddle-leaf fig watering, tap water and peat, and the fiddle-leaf fig hub for other problems.
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
NC State describes a tree that can reach 30 m (100 ft) in the wild but is usually kept at 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) indoors. Its stiff, glossy leaves reach 43 cm (17 in) long, with pink or purple stipules around new growth. Grow it in bright indirect light or partial shade, away from afternoon sun, above 13 °C (55 °F). Reduce watering from autumn to late winter.
NC State lists twelve cultivars. The main colour groups:
- Plain green: ‘Robusta’, the most common type, and ‘Decora’, with large, very thick leaves.
- Dark: ‘Burgundy’ and ‘Abdijan’, with deep red tints.
- Variegated: ‘Tineke’ (cream or pale yellow), ‘Tricolor’ (cream, pink and green), ‘Doescheri’ (grey and cream splotches with pink midribs) and ‘Variegata’ (white or yellow margins).
- Compact: ‘Melany’, with dense, small, green and bronze leaves.
Rubber plants prefer to stay in one place and dislike draughts. See our rubber plant care guide, and the guides to rubber plant overwatering and brown spots on rubber plant, or browse the rubber plant hub.
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
The weeping fig comes from southeastern Asia and Australia. NC State describes glossy, elliptic leaves with a long tip on drooping branches, usually kept at 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) indoors. It does best in bright indirect light but survives shade.
Its well-known habit is leaf drop. NC State explains that it is very sensitive to light, so after a move it may shed leaves and grow new ones suited to the new spot. Water just often enough to keep the soil from drying out completely, and keep it away from draughts.
Cultivars include ‘Danielle’ (dark green, slow, for small spaces), ‘Golden King’ (cream to light green margins), ‘Variegata’ (green and white with creamy yellow edges) and ‘Too Little’, a dwarf popular for bonsai. UF/IFAS notes that tolerance of interior light varies from cultivar to cultivar.
Alii fig
‘Alii’ is sold under more than one name. UF/IFAS lists it as F. binnendijkii ‘Alii’ (also ‘Sabre’), a shrub or tree with long, sabre-shaped leaves that are red when they first emerge. NC State lists it under F. maclellandii, the banana leaf fig, and also on its weeping fig page.
NC State describes slender, olive-green, drooping leaves 8–25 cm (3–10 in) long and calls it easier to grow than other varieties. It is sometimes sold with a braided trunk. Water once the top 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) of soil has dried.
It is the best choice for a dim room. UF/IFAS reports that ‘Alii’ may be used at 50 foot-candles indoors, while other interior ficus need 100 to 200.
Creeping fig (Ficus pumila)
A small-leaved climbing vine from China and eastern Asia that clings to walls with short roots. NC State recommends bright indirect light or part shade indoors, regular watering in the growing season and high humidity. Juvenile leaves are heart-shaped and about 2.5 cm (1 in) long. ‘Minima’ and ‘Quercifolia’ are tiny forms for terrariums; ‘Variegata’ has wide white margins.
Ficus microcarpa: Ginseng and Green Island
F. microcarpa, the Chinese banyan, is a large tree in the tropics. NC State says it suits temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F) all year, which is why it is mostly sold as a houseplant. It prefers high humidity.
‘Ginseng’ has bulbous, thick roots that rise above the soil and is used widely for bonsai. NC State notes it is commonly mislabeled Ficus retusa, a name that belongs to another plant. Keep it in a sunny, warm spot with consistent moisture. ‘Green Island’ has glossy, deep green leaves and is a popular houseplant.
Triangle fig
The triangle fig, sold as Ficus triangularis, is listed by the RHS as a synonym of Ficus natalensis subsp. leprieurii. We found no extension profile describing it, so it is not in the table.
Care that applies to every indoor ficus
From NC State Extension and UF/IFAS:
- Light: bright, indirect light, out of hot afternoon sun. UF/IFAS warns that ficus are sensitive to sudden changes in light.
- Settling in: UF/IFAS advises not moving, pruning, repotting or fertilizing a new plant for about four weeks.
- Temperature: 18–27 °C (65–80 °F) indoors, away from draughts.
- Water: water regularly but avoid overwatering, and water less in winter.
- Reading leaf drop: UF/IFAS links green leaf drop to low light or very wet media, yellow leaf drop to moisture stress, and loss of lower leaves only to age.
- Pests: NC State lists scale, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips and aphids.
Pets and people
The ASPCA lists fig and weeping fig (Ficus) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic principles are a proteolytic enzyme (ficin) and a psoralen (ficusin), causing gastrointestinal and skin irritation. NC State lists the fiddle-leaf fig as toxic to cats and dogs if eaten. It also notes that ficus latex can irritate skin, especially in sunlight, so wear gloves when pruning. For alternatives, see our pet-safe plants guide.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Ficus (genus), Ficus lyrata, Ficus elastica, Ficus benjamina, Ficus maclellandii, Ficus pumila, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus microcarpa ‘Ginseng’
- UF/IFAS Extension, J. Chen et al.: Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Interiorscape Ficus, ENH879
- Royal Horticultural Society: Ficus natalensis subsp. leprieurii
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Weeping Fig, Fig