🌿 Species guide
🌳 Indoor Ficus
🌿 In brief — Indoor Ficus
The genus: indoor trees with shiny foliage, from large specimens to bonsai · Light: bright, some soft sun · Watering: moderate, let dry on the surface · Key point: Ficus hates being moved — stability above all · Stars: lyre fig, rubber tree, and the Ginseng bonsai
Ficus is one of the great indoor plant classics, and for good reason: robust, graphic, and available in a huge variety of forms, it adapts to almost any interior. From the tall, slender tree that structures a living room to the surprising Ficus Ginseng grown as a bonsai, the genus offers a remarkable choice. This guide presents the main varieties to grow at home, their differences, and all the care tips to keep them healthy — starting with the golden rule: a Ficus loves stability.
What is an indoor Ficus?
The Ficus genus includes hundreds of species, from tropical fig trees to majestic banyans. Mostly native to Asia and tropical regions, some have become essential indoor plants thanks to their decorative foliage and good tolerance for pot life. They can be found in the Ficus collection in many varied forms.
A form for every interior
This is the richness of the genus: a Ficus can be a tall, slender tree on a trunk, a shrub with fine, flexible foliage, or a compact bonsai with a swollen trunk. This diversity allows you to find a Ficus suited to every room, from spacious living rooms to office shelves.
The golden rule: stability
Ficus has a well-known trait: it dislikes change. Moving it, drafts, or sudden temperature changes can cause it to lose leaves. Once settled in the right spot, it’s best not to move it — that’s the secret to a lush Ficus.
Indoor Ficus varieties
Here are twelve easy-to-care-for indoor Ficus, grouped into four families by species: the classic trunk forms, the lyre fig, the rubber tree, and the banyans. Not to mention the Ficus Ginseng, presented just after.
The classics — Ficus microcarpa & benjamina
The most common indoor Ficus: a tree form on a trunk, shiny foliage, and easy to grow.
A beautiful indoor tree with dense, dark green, glossy foliage. Its compact and elegant silhouette makes it a centerpiece to structure a bright living room.
See the Moclame →
Its long narrow drooping leaves give it a supple and graceful look. Known to be more resistant to leaf drop, it is ideal for beginners.
See the Alii →
The weeping fig in a compact version: a small bush with fine foliage delicately panaché with cream. Perfect on a desk or a bright shelf.
See the Kinky →The lyre fig tree — Ficus lyrata
Recognizable by all for its large violin-shaped leaves, the lyre fig tree is the decorative star of its kind.
The essential lyre fig tree, a star of decorative interiors. Its large veined violin-shaped leaves bring an immediate graphic presence.
See the lyre fig tree →
A bushy and generous version of the lyre fig tree, full from base to top. A large spectacular specimen to dress a corner of a room.
See the bushy lyre →
The branched lyre fig tree, bearing its large leaves on several branches. An exceptional piece that truly structures a large space.
See the branched lyre →The rubber plant — Ficus elastica
Large thick and glossy leaves, in deep green or beautifully panaché: the rubber plant is a robust and generous classic.
The quintessential rubber plant: large thick, glossy, deep green leaves. Robust and easy to care for, a timeless classic.
See the rubber plant →
A panaché variety of the rubber plant, with leaves marbled in green and cream. Brighter, it lights up an interior while maintaining the robustness of the elastica.
See the Tineke →
Rubber plant in its most colorful version, tinted with pink and cream on the young leaves. A graphic and original touch for foliage lovers.
See the Belize →Exceptional banyans & fig trees
Veined foliage, large specimens on stems or rarer species: Ficus that stand out.
The banyan fig tree captivates with its large thick leaves with marked veins, light green and fuzzy. A sculptural and tropical presence.
See the Benghalensis →
The large format version of the banyan, with three stems forming a generous trunk. An imposing specimen with light foliage, ideal as a living room tree.
See the Audrey →
The African fig tree features tough, shiny, deep green foliage, very easy to care for. An original and resilient alternative to more common ficus.
See the Cyathistipula →Variety comparison
| Variety | Foliage | Silhouette | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moclame | Dense, shiny | Compact tree | Centerpiece |
| Alii | Thin, drooping | Slender, flexible | Beginner |
| Benjamina Kinky | Thin, Panaché | Small bush | Office, shelf |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig | Violin-shaped leaves | Graphic | Statement decor |
| Bushy lyre | Dense | Large specimen | Room corner |
| Branched lyre | Wide | Branched tree | Large space |
| Elastica Robusta | Thick, glossy | Upright | Easy classic |
| Elastica Tineke | Cream Panaché | Upright | Bright touch |
| Elastica Belize | Pink Panaché | Upright | Original foliage |
| Benghalensis Joy | Large leaves | Sculptural | Tropical touch |
| Audrey 3 stems | Large leaves | Tall on stems | Living room tree |
| Cyathistipula | Tough, shiny | Upright bush | Easy alternative |
The Ficus Ginseng, the faux indoor bonsai
It’s impossible to talk about Ficus without stopping at the most surprising one. The Ficus Ginseng is not a patiently sculpted millennial bonsai, but a Ficus microcarpa cultivated to develop a swollen, bulbous trunk, evoking knotted roots. The result is spectacular—and, unlike real bonsais, remarkably easy to care for.
Why it is so easy
Its thick trunk stores water reserves, making it tolerant of occasional watering forgetfulness. It thrives indoors, forgives beginner mistakes, and requires no advanced bonsai techniques. It is the ideal gateway to the art of bonsai, without the complexity.
Two sizes to suit your preference
The small format Ficus Ginseng is perfect for beginners or to decorate an office. For a stronger presence, the large Ginseng in H60 and H70 cm become true decorative pieces, with a generous and sculptural trunk.
The ideal size to start bonsai or decorate an office: a small Ficus Ginseng with characteristic swollen trunk, robust and easy to care for.
See the small Ginseng →
In H60 or H70 cm, the Ginseng becomes a true decorative piece with a generous and sculptural trunk, perfect on a console or shelf.
See the large Ginseng →💡 Prune to keep the shape
In spring, pinch new shoots above two leaves to maintain the compact and dense silhouette of the bonsai. The Ficus Ginseng regrows vigorously after pruning.
Daily care
Light
Give your Ficus a very bright spot, with some gentle morning sun. It hates deep shade, which thins it out. Behind a well-exposed window, without harsh sun during hot hours, it thrives fully.
Watering
Water moderately, letting the top few centimeters of soil dry between waterings. The Ficus fears both overwatering, which rots the roots, and complete drying out. Reduce watering significantly in winter.
Stability, always
Once the right location is found, do not move your Ficus and avoid placing it near a door, radiator, or draft source. These variations are the main cause of leaf drop.
Humidity and cleanliness
The Ficus appreciates a slightly humid atmosphere: regular misting is very beneficial, especially for the Benghalensis. Dust the leaves with a damp cloth to preserve their shine and photosynthesis.
⚠️ Beware of the sap
Like all Ficus, these plants contain a milky sap that can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves when pruning and wash your hands afterward, keeping the plant out of reach of children during the operation.
- Bright light, some gentle sun — never deep shade
- Moderate watering, let surface dry
- Do not move — avoid drafts and radiators
- Mist and dust the foliage
- Gloves when pruning — the sap is irritating
Common problems and solutions
| Symptom | Likely cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Sudden leaf drop | Movement, draft, change | Stabilize the location and be patient |
| Yellow leaves falling | Overwatering | Let dry, check drainage |
| Soft and dry leaves | Lack of water or air too dry | Water, mist the foliage |
| Plant that is thinning out | Insufficient light | Move closer to a bright window |
| Small bugs under the leaves | Scale insects or red spiders | Shower the foliage and treat if needed |
| Growth stops in winter | Normal winter rest | Reduce watering and fertilizer, be patient |
Where to place your Ficus
A tree to structure
Large trunk Ficus, like the Moclame or Benghalensis, act as indoor trees: placed in a bright corner of a living room, they bring height and presence. They naturally find their place among the finest pieces of plant decor.
The bonsai on furniture
The more compact Ficus Ginseng is showcased at eye level: on a desk, console, or shelf, its sculptural trunk becomes a decorative object in its own right. Also perfect for small spaces.
A safe bet
Robust and long-lived, the Ficus is among the unkillable plants that accompany an interior for years. A good green companion for those seeking a durable and graphic plant.
Verdeia Collection
All Verdeia indoor Ficus
From large elegant trees to Ginseng bonsai — find the Ficus that suits your interior.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, provided you offer it bright light, moderate watering, and especially a stable location. Once well established, it is a robust and long-lasting plant.
Bright light, with some gentle sun in the morning. The Ficus hates deep shade, which causes it to thin out and lose leaves.
Water when the top centimeters of soil are dry, moderately, and reduce watering in winter. The Ficus fears both excess water and drying out.
It is a Ficus microcarpa grown in bonsai form, with a characteristic swollen trunk. Easier than a traditional bonsai, it is ideal for beginners.
It is almost always due to a change: moving, draft, or temperature variation. Stabilize its location and it will gradually regrow.
Verdeia — Living plants
Adopt your indoor Ficus
Elegant trees or easy bonsai — robust and graphic Ficus for all interiors.
