The ficus is the most popular bonsai indoor tree species. It is a tropical tree and should not be placed outdoors, except if temperature is above 60°F. The ficus is especially great for beginners as maintenance and care is easy, and the ficus is very resistant to sub-optimal conditions (lack of light or lack of water).

The ficus is an evergreen that produces dark green thick and shiny leaves. In summer it will produce small fruits, that can be yellow, green, or red called figs. These fruits are non-edible, except for the species Ficus carica.

The ficus is a symbol of eternity in India, and the species Ficus religiosa, also called Buddha tree, represents Buddha after the many years spent meditating and reaching enlightenment under the tree.

Position

The ficus is an indoor bonsai tree which should be kept inside until the temperature outside reaches 60°F. Place it near a window where it can benefit from a lot of light during fall and winter. You can place it outside during spring and summer, but make sure that it is not in full direct sunlight, so ideally facing west or east, and avoid facing south.

Watering

Water your ficus when the soil starts to get dry. Always keep the soil moist but not saturated. The ficus can tolerate some periods of under-watering or over-watering, which makes it a low maintenance species. The more light the ficus gets, the more water it will need. You can mist the leaves daily to maintain good overall humidity, but make sure not to use hard water to avoid white stains on the leaves.

Fertilizing

Fertilize your ficus once a month in fall and spring, and eventually during summer if your ficus is rapidly growing. Fertilizing in winter is usually not necessary, but you can do it once or twice if you notice that your ficus is getting weak.

Repotting

Repot your ficus between April and June every 1-2 years depending on the growth of the tree. Use a soil mix composed of 40% of akadama, 40% lava rock and 20% of organic components.

Pruning

The ficus is a fast-growing tree and you will need to prune it regularly to keep its shape. The best moment for pruning is during summer. If the leaves are becoming too large, you can also do leaf pruning, or even an occasional defoliation (up to once a year is tolerated by the ficus), to force the tree to reduce its leaves size.

Wiring

The ficus is very easy to work with and you can give it almost any shape you like. Keep an eye on the wires once installed, as the ficus will easily get scars which are then difficult to heal, or even permanent.

Propagation

The ficus is best propagated through cuttings. Do it in summer, when the growth is at its best. Growing the ficus from seed is easy, but it will take several years before getting a fully grown tree.

Pests and diseases

The ficus is quite resistant against pests and diseases. The humid environment of our homes can sometimes attract mealybugs and spider mites. Simply water-jet the leaves to remove the pests. If there are too many of them, apply the adequate natural treatment depending on the pest.

Did you know?

When you first install your ficus home, its leaves might fall. This is a completely normal process, as the ficus needs some time to get used to its new environment. You should see the leaves growing back within the first few weeks following its introduction. It can also loose its leaves in spring before it starts growing again. This is part of the renewal of its foliage, and is completely normal.