12 Types of Ficus Plants Varieties with Names & Pictures
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Ficus Plants are tree-like plants with decorative leaves which easily adapt to indoor growing conditions but prefer warm and humid conditions to thrive.
Ficus genus comprises of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs and vines which 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 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.
It is important to note that Ficus Plants are considered 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..
When provided with the right growing conditions most Ficus varieties are easy to grow. Generally, these plants 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.
We have listed herebelow 12 Ficus varieties with pictures that are ideal for growing indoors.
12 Different Types of Ficus Plants for Indoor Growing
1. Ficus elastica (Rubber Plants)
Rubber Plants or Rubber Figs are easy-care, tree-like plants with decorative leaves which have a high tolerance to drought conditions but prefer high humidity conditions to thrive.
There are many varieties of Rubber Plant like Ficus elastica 'Decora', 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 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. 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. Learn How to Grow and Care for Ficus altissima 'Yellow Gem'.
4. 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. Learn more on How to Grow and Care for Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'.
5. Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig)
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. Read more on How to Grow and Care for Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig).
6. Ficus cyathistipula (African Fig Tree)
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). Learn How to Grow and Care for Ficus cyathistipula (African Fig Tree).
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.
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 How to Grow and Care for Ficus deltoidea (Mistletoe Fig).
8. Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' (Banana Leaf Fig)
Ficus Alii or Banana Leaf Fig is an 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. Learn more on How to Grow and Care for Ficus maclellandii 'Alii' (Banana Leaf Fig).
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 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. Read more on How to Grow and Care for Ficus montana (Oak Leaf Fig).
10. Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)
Ficus pumila commonly called Creeping Fig or Climbing Fig is a lowly plant which is useful as a trailer or climber which 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. Learn more on How to Grow and Care for Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig).
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 humidity 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'
Ficus triangularis 'Variegata' or Variegated Triangle Leaf Fig is an 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 and is ideal for a shelf or table-top in the early stages. A mature plant is perfect for floor placement. Read more on How to Grow and Care for Ficus triangularis 'Variegata'.
