12 Types of Ficus Plants Varieties for Indoors with Names & Pictures
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Ficus Plants are tree-like plants with decorative leaves and easily adapt to indoor growing conditions. Generally, they 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.
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.
The other disadvanatage of Ficus Plants is that they 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.
If you are looking for the best Ficus Plant for your home, we have herebelow outlined 12 elegant Ficus varieties that you can easily grow 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)
Ficus elastica commonly called Rubber Plant, Rubber Fig, Rubber Tree, Rubber Bush, Indian Rubber Tree or Indian Rubber Bush are the easiest to grow of the Ficus plants varieties as they have a high drought tolerance and easily adapt to indoor growing conditions.
Rubber Plants are popular, tree-like plants and are great large-leafed statement plants for any space as they bear striking, large, decorative leaves.
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Ficus elastica is a good air cleaner which gets rid of formaldehyde from indoor air.
Several varieties of Rubber Plants for indoor growing are available and include Ficus elastica 'Decora', Ficus elastica 'robusta' (Bronze Rubber Plant), Ficus elastica 'Black Prince', Ficus elastica 'Tineke', Ficus elastica 'Shivereana' among others.
Check out our post on these 9 Types of Rubber Plants Varieties (Ficus elastica) with Names & Pictures
2. Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig)
Weeping Fig is a popular indoor plant on account of its elegant growth and tolerance to poor growing conditions, though it does not like sudden changes in the 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 among the best air purifying plants which gets rid of xylene, toulene and trichloroethylene from indoor air.
Ficus benjamina blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
3. 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. It is considered much easier to grow indoors than its cousin Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Ficus Yellow Gem flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Check out our guide on how to grow and care for Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'
4. Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'
Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey' also called Ficus Audrey, Bengal Fig, Banyan Fig, Banyan Tree, Indian Banyan or Strangler 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 can grow to a height of 5-10 feet and 3-4 feet wide when give the proper growing conditions. It requires exposure some morning or late afternoon sunshine to thrive. It is considered as one of the sun-loving plants for the home.
Bengal Fig grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunshine, average warmth of 16-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Read more on how to grow and care for Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'
5. Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig)
Fiddle Leaf Fig is a good choice of a statement plant where the striking, large, violin-like leaves with a leathery texture, prominent veins and a wavy margin will make a great conversation starter.
When given the right growing conditions, Fiddle Leaf Fig can grow to a height of 6-10 feet and the leaves are up to 1.5 feet long. It is one of the best plants for the front porch or entrance to create a good first impression for the home.
Ficus lyrata performs best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, Fiddle Leaf Fig potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig)
6. Ficus cyathistipula (African Fig Tree)
African Fig Tree also called Birchbark Fig is an evergreen, vigourously-growing, shrubby plant with glossy, leathery, tumbler-shaped, dark-green leaves arranged spirally on a 4 cm long petiole.
Birchbark Fig needs exposure to some morning or late afternoon sunlight for optimal growth. It is one of the best low maintenance plants for a sunny balcony.
Ficus cyathistipula flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-240C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Take a look at our guide on how to grow and care for African Fig Tree (Ficus cyathistipula)
7. Ficus deltoidea (Mistletoe Fig)
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 leaves in female plants are big and round while in male plants they are small, round and long. The species name, 'deltoidea', is in reference to the leaf shape which resemble the Greek letter, 'delta' which will look spectacular in any space. Delta Fig is one of the best plants for the living room where it will create a great first impression.
Ficus deltoidea prefers bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-260C, above average humidity of 60-75% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Read more on how to grow and care for Ficus deltoidea (Mistletoe Fig)
8. Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' (Banana Leaf Fig)
Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' commonly called Ficus Alii, Banana Leaf Fig, Banana Leaf Ficus, Long Leafed Fig or Narrow Leafed 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. These leaf characteristics make Banana Leaf Fig one of the best plants for an office space as they will provide a sight to behold.
Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-250C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
9. Ficus montana (Oak Leaf Fig)
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 stems in Oak Leaf Fig can grow upto 3-6 feet long. The plant is perfect for a hanging basket where the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. It is one of the best plants for a hanging basket.
Oak Leaf Fig grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Ficus montana (Oak Leaf Fig)
10. Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)
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.
On account of its compact size and requirement for high humidity, Climbing Fig is one of the best plants for a closed terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Ficus pumila prospers in medium to bright, indrect light (filtered light), average warmth of 16-280C, high humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Read more on how to grow and care for Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
11. 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, Ficus radicans variegata can be grown in the humid areas in the home like the bathroom, kitchen and laundry area if the lighting is adequate. It is one of the best plants for the bathroom.
Ficus radicans 'Variegata' thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 60-70%, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
12. 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 feet and about 4 feet wide when grown indoors. This makes it one of the best large indoor plants for the living room on account of its size and magnificent foliage.
Ficus triangularis 'Variegata' prefers bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-290C, above average humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Learn how to grow and care for Ficus triangularis 'Variegata'
