12 Types of Ficus Plants Varieties for Indoors with Names & Pictures


Ficus Plants Collage

Ficus Plants are tree-like plants with decorative leaves which easily adapt to indoor growing conditions but prefer warm and humid conditions to thrive.

There are about 850 species in the Ficus genus which are woody trees, shrubs and vines, and are native to the tropics with a few extending to the warm temperate zones.

These plants are of considerable cultural importance through out the tropics and are often used as objects of worship and for other uses. Ficus Plants symbolize abundance and peace.

One disadvantage of Ficus Plants is their aggressive root system which can destroy the foundation of buildings. This especially happens with those that grow into large trees.

Ficus varieties bear a unique inflorescence that is pollinated by fig wasps of the Agaonidae family. The fruit is an inflorescence enclosed in an urn-like structure called a syconium.

When provided with the right growing conditions most Ficus varieties will flourish. Ficus require bright light, warm and humid conditions, well-drained moderately moist soil that is rich in organic matter and regular feeding during the growing season.

If you would like to add these stunning Ficus Plants to your collection, here is our link to Etsy Shops.

Toxicity

Ficus Plants are toxic to both humans and pets. According to Pet Poison Helpline, Ficus Plants produce a milky white latex which is an irritant to the eyes and the skin.

If ingested it can cause irritation in the mouth, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pains.

Herebelow are 12 elegant Ficus varieties with names and pictures that are ideal for growing indoors.

12 Different Types of Ficus Plants for Indoors

Our choice of favorite Ficus Varieties include Ficus elastica, Ficus benjamina, Ficus lyrata, Ficus pumila, Ficus deltoidea, Ficus cyathistipula, Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey', Ficus triangularis 'Variegata' among others.

1. Ficus elastica (Rubber Plants)

Rubber Plants

Rubber Plants or Rubber Figs are the easiest, tree-like Ficus Plants bearing large decorative leaves. They have a high drought tolerance but prefer humid conditions to thrive.

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Ficus elastica was found to be a good indoor air cleaner which gets rid of formaldehyde.

There are many varieties of Rubber Plants for indoor growing with Ficus elastica 'Decora' being one of the most common and popular of the Ficus plants.

Other Rubber Plant varieties are Ficus elastica 'robusta' (Bronze Rubber Plant), Ficus elastica 'Black Prince', Ficus elastica 'Tineke', Ficus elastica 'Shivereana' among others. Read more on 9 Types of Rubber Plants Varieties (Ficus elastica) with Names & Pictures.

2. Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig)

Weeping Fig, Ficus benjamina

Weeping Fig is a popular houseplant due to its elegant growth and tolerance to poor growing conditions but it does not like sudden changes in light conditions.

Benjamin Fig bears gracefully drooping branch-lets and glossy leaves, oval with an acuminate tip.

The young foliage is light green and slightly wavy, the older leaves are green and smooth.

The NASA Clean Air Study, indicates that Weeping Fig is effective in cleaning indoor air of toxins like xylene, toulene and trichloroethylene. Learn more on Weeping Fig and how to care for it.

3. Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'

Ficus Yellow Gem, Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'

Ficus Yellow Gem or Council Tree is an evergreen, tree-like plant which bears glossy, oval leaves with green and bright yellow variegation and lighter veining.

The plant has a high tolerance to drought conditions but prefers high humidity conditions to thrive.

Council Tree is considered much easier to grow indoors than its cousin Fiddle Leaf Fig. Check out our guide on how to grow and care for Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'.

4. Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'

Ficus Audrey, Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'

Ficus Audrey or Bengal Fig is an evergreen, fast-growing tree-like plant which bears green, oval leaves with a fuzzy surface and a smooth light-colored trunk.

Indian Banyan is the National Tree of India where it is considered sacred as it is believed that Buddha received enlightment while under this tree.

Bengal Fig has a high tolerance to drought and frosty conditions but prefers high humidity conditions to thrive. It is considered much easier to grow than Fiddle Leaf Fig. Read more on how to grow and care for Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'.

5. Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig)

Fiddle Leaf Fig, Ficus lyrata

Fiddle Leaf Fig is a good choice for a specimen plant. The striking large violin-like leaves are excellent for the large spaces. It is relatively tough and can withstand less than perfect conditions fairly well.

The leaves are up to 1.5 ft long, leathery in texture, have prominent veins and a wavy margin. When grown in a container Fiddle Leaf Fig can grow to a height of 6 ft.

Ficus lyrata requires bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn more on how to grow and care for Ficus lyrata.

6. Ficus cyathistipula (African Fig Tree)

African Fig Tree, Ficus cyathistipula

African Fig Tree is an evergreen, vigourously-growing, shrubby plant with glossy, leathery, tumbler-shaped, dark-green leaves arranged spirally on a 4 cm long petiole.

The figs are reddish when ripe, and have thick, spongy walls which enable them to float on water.

The epithet, 'cyathistipula', arises from their cup-shape (cyathus-) and persistent stipules (stipula). Have a look at our guide on how to grow and care for Ficus cyathistipula.

7. Ficus deltoidea (Mistletoe Fig)

Mistletoe Fig, Ficus deltoidea

Mistletoe Fig or Delta Fig is a slow-growing, evergreen, shrubby plant which bears glossy green leaves on top, golden yellow below with black spots and prominent veins.

The species name, 'deltoidea', is in reference to the leaf shape which resemble the Greek letter, 'delta'. It can grow to a height of about 3-5 ft and the same width.

Delta Fig bears characteristic fig berries through out the year which start off white then turn red as they mature. The berries are inedible. Read more on Ficus deltoidea and its care.

8. Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' (Banana Leaf Fig)

Ficus Alii, Ficus maclellandii 'Alii'

Ficus Alii or Banana Leaf Fig is an eye-catching, evergreen, perennial plant with glossy, long, slender, willow-like, medium-green leaves which hang downwards.

The new leaves are reddish-bronze and change to medium-green as they mature. The plant has two type of leaves where leaves on lower leaves are narrower than the leaves on higher branches.

Banana Leaf Ficus is considered more tolerant of indoor growing conditions than Weeping Fig as it rarely sheds leaves and tolerates lower light better. Learn how to grow and care for Ficus maclellandii 'Alii'.

9. Ficus montana (Oak Leaf Fig)

Oak Leaf Fig, Ficus montana

Ficus montana commonly called Oak Leaf Fig or Oak-leafed Fig is a vining plant with oval-shaped leaves which are covered with short hairs in form of bristles and resemble oak leaves.

The leaves on new growth are brown-green but they turn green as they mature. Oak-leafed Fig is a crawling plant which is ideal as a groundcover as it develops roots at the nodes.

Oak Leaf Fig stems can grow 3-6 ft long and is perfect for a hanging basket where the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. Read on how to grow and care for Ficus montana.

10. Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)

Creeping Fig, Ficus pumila

Creeping Fig or Climbing Fig is the fastest growing Ficus plant and is useful as a trailer or a climber. It produces a dense green carpet and is one of the best indoor ground covers.

The stems will cling to any damp surface, making it an excellent climber up to a height of 4 m. Its aerial roots produce a translucent latex that hardens on drying, allowing the plant to adhere to their support.

Ficus pumila comes in many varieties and cultivars like Ficus pumila 'Minima', Ficus pumila 'Variegata', Ficus pumila var. quercifolia among others. Read more on Ficus pumila and how to care for it.

11. Ficus radicans 'Variegata'

Variegated Rooting Fig, Ficus radicans 'Variegata'

Ficus radicans 'Variegata' commonly called Variegated Rooting Fig is an evergreen climber which bears long, leathery, lance-shaped greyish-green leaves marked with ivory-white edges and long drooping stems.

Being a moisture-loving plant, it can be grown in the humid areas in the home like the bathroom and laundry area if the lighting is adequate.

Ficus radicans 'Variegata' is spectacular in terrarium where it can act as a groundcover. Learn how to grow and care for Ficus radicans 'Variegata'.

12. Ficus triangularis 'Variegata'

Variegated Triangle Leaf Fig, Ficus triangularis 'Variegata'

Ficus triangularis 'Variegata' or Variegated Triangle Leaf Fig is an enchanting, evergreen, shrubby plant which bears glossy, triangular-shaped, dark-green-variegated leaves with creamy-white veins and edges.

Variegated Triangle Leaf Fig can grow to a height of 4-6 ft and about 4 ft wide when grown indoors

It is ideal for a shelf or table-top in the early stages. A mature plant is perfect for floor placement. Read on how to grow and care for Ficus triangularis 'Variegata'.

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