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Ficus, also known commonly as Figs, are amoung the most popular species for indoor
bonsai. With over 800 different species of this tropical evergreen shrub, there are over
a dozen species and nearly one hundred varieties that are suited to bonsai.
Hardiness: these trees are not frost hardy, and should be brought inside when day or
night temperatures drop below 60F (15C). Living outdoors in the summer months will
benefit them greatly, but bring them in when the weather starts to turn colder.
Though they will not die from temperatures below 60, it will lead to a deterioration
of health, and is simply best avoided.
Light: Outdoor in filtered sun or partial shade. Though they tolerate the low light
conditions of most houses, they will have larger leaves, and still prefer good light.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil. More organic than inorganic.
Watering: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, watering daily or as needed. Water lighter in the winter, when the
soil is mostly dry. Ficus can survive some drought, but overwatering and root rot will kill them quicker than
underwatering. During dry periods or when indoors, these trees benefit from daily misting. Indoor trees can be
kept on a humidity tray filled with damp pebbles.
Fertilizer: As they are always in leaf, fertilize with a heavy nitrogen mix, like 10-10-10 or 10-5-5, but reduce to half
strength in the winter.
Pests and Diseases: Scale/mealy bugs, and spider mites.
Repotting: Though you can repot this tropical at any time of year, they will respond best to it in the early to mid
summer when growth is at its peak. Repot every one to three years, depending on the age of the tree.
Pruning and Styling: Prune new shoots to one or two leaf nodes to control growth. Many figs tolerate hard
pruning quite well, and though you can prune any time of year with these tropicals, winter is often the best bet, as
the flow of sap has slowed. Figs will bleed a white, milky sap when pruned, and it will seal off its own wounds.
Dab off excess while it is still wet, as the dried sap is very difficult to remove from the bark. Ficus respond well to
hard pruning, and will throw out new growth all over the tree. Do not trunk chop below the lowest branch, as it is
unlikely to survive.
Wiring can be done, but keep in mind that Ficus take a long time to set, and you may need to rewire several times
to keep the wire from biting into the bark, but still encouraging the tree to take the form you want it to. The bark
and branches on a ficus can swell rapidly during the growing season, so special care must be taken to make certain
the wire does not cut into the bark. In some cases rewiring may be necessary several times a year, if good growth
is exhibited. Defoliate in summer to reduce leaf size on a healthy tree.
All ficus are prone to start aerial roots when the humidity level is high enough, and make for some fantastic
specimens. In nature, these aerial roots eventually become strong enough to support the parent tree as they reach
the ground and continue thickening, forming a maze of what appear to be secondary trunks. The roots emerging
from the trunk self-graft easily, causing a flaring, sweeping appearance. Smaller trees don't always have the energy
needed to produce thick, well formed aerial roots however, and often need a few years of growth in a large pot or
grow box to achieve the girth and strength needed to bring this effect off well.
Styles and Forms: Most styles, especially exposed root, root-over-rock, raft, broom and multi-trunk styles.
Cultivars: 'F. micropjylla' Australian species, better tolerant to full sun.
'F. retusa' A very common species for bonsai native to Southeast Asia, with small, glossy leaves.
'F. benjamina "too little"' dwarf variety from Southeast Asia.
'F. nerifolia' willow leaf fig, with bright green, narrow leaves
Other Information: The Fig's popularity as indoor bonsai stem from their tolerance of normal indoor conditions in
many homes: Low light and low humidity. This is not to say that they do not require better light and humidity to
flourish inside. Supplying your ficus with a humidity tray and/or a grow light if you do not have good natural
lighting will help the tree flourish during the colder part of the year
Though they are evergreen and tropical, ficus will go through a period of dormancy when brought inside. They
will not lose their leaves, but new growth will slow or stop all together, especially due to the amount of light they
will be getting in winter. Do not fertilize during this period unless strong growth is being exhibited. They have a
tendency to yellow and drop leaves when moved too frequently, or if exposed to drafts of cold or dry air. Once
you've found a location that suits the tree indoors, leave it there permanently, only moving it to rotate every few
days so each side gets equal light.
Figs dislike sudden changes in temperature and humidity, so be sure to acclimate your tree to the outside when
putting it out for the summer by introducing it to increasing sunshine each day until it can be outdoors for the
growing season.
Ficus are very forgiving of beginner's blunders, and make an excellent tree for someone just starting in bonsai.
bonsai. With over 800 different species of this tropical evergreen shrub, there are over
a dozen species and nearly one hundred varieties that are suited to bonsai.
Hardiness: these trees are not frost hardy, and should be brought inside when day or
night temperatures drop below 60F (15C). Living outdoors in the summer months will
benefit them greatly, but bring them in when the weather starts to turn colder.
Though they will not die from temperatures below 60, it will lead to a deterioration
of health, and is simply best avoided.
Light: Outdoor in filtered sun or partial shade. Though they tolerate the low light
conditions of most houses, they will have larger leaves, and still prefer good light.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil. More organic than inorganic.
Watering: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, watering daily or as needed. Water lighter in the winter, when the
soil is mostly dry. Ficus can survive some drought, but overwatering and root rot will kill them quicker than
underwatering. During dry periods or when indoors, these trees benefit from daily misting. Indoor trees can be
kept on a humidity tray filled with damp pebbles.
Fertilizer: As they are always in leaf, fertilize with a heavy nitrogen mix, like 10-10-10 or 10-5-5, but reduce to half
strength in the winter.
Pests and Diseases: Scale/mealy bugs, and spider mites.
Repotting: Though you can repot this tropical at any time of year, they will respond best to it in the early to mid
summer when growth is at its peak. Repot every one to three years, depending on the age of the tree.
Pruning and Styling: Prune new shoots to one or two leaf nodes to control growth. Many figs tolerate hard
pruning quite well, and though you can prune any time of year with these tropicals, winter is often the best bet, as
the flow of sap has slowed. Figs will bleed a white, milky sap when pruned, and it will seal off its own wounds.
Dab off excess while it is still wet, as the dried sap is very difficult to remove from the bark. Ficus respond well to
hard pruning, and will throw out new growth all over the tree. Do not trunk chop below the lowest branch, as it is
unlikely to survive.
Wiring can be done, but keep in mind that Ficus take a long time to set, and you may need to rewire several times
to keep the wire from biting into the bark, but still encouraging the tree to take the form you want it to. The bark
and branches on a ficus can swell rapidly during the growing season, so special care must be taken to make certain
the wire does not cut into the bark. In some cases rewiring may be necessary several times a year, if good growth
is exhibited. Defoliate in summer to reduce leaf size on a healthy tree.
All ficus are prone to start aerial roots when the humidity level is high enough, and make for some fantastic
specimens. In nature, these aerial roots eventually become strong enough to support the parent tree as they reach
the ground and continue thickening, forming a maze of what appear to be secondary trunks. The roots emerging
from the trunk self-graft easily, causing a flaring, sweeping appearance. Smaller trees don't always have the energy
needed to produce thick, well formed aerial roots however, and often need a few years of growth in a large pot or
grow box to achieve the girth and strength needed to bring this effect off well.
Styles and Forms: Most styles, especially exposed root, root-over-rock, raft, broom and multi-trunk styles.
Cultivars: 'F. micropjylla' Australian species, better tolerant to full sun.
'F. retusa' A very common species for bonsai native to Southeast Asia, with small, glossy leaves.
'F. benjamina "too little"' dwarf variety from Southeast Asia.
'F. nerifolia' willow leaf fig, with bright green, narrow leaves
Other Information: The Fig's popularity as indoor bonsai stem from their tolerance of normal indoor conditions in
many homes: Low light and low humidity. This is not to say that they do not require better light and humidity to
flourish inside. Supplying your ficus with a humidity tray and/or a grow light if you do not have good natural
lighting will help the tree flourish during the colder part of the year
Though they are evergreen and tropical, ficus will go through a period of dormancy when brought inside. They
will not lose their leaves, but new growth will slow or stop all together, especially due to the amount of light they
will be getting in winter. Do not fertilize during this period unless strong growth is being exhibited. They have a
tendency to yellow and drop leaves when moved too frequently, or if exposed to drafts of cold or dry air. Once
you've found a location that suits the tree indoors, leave it there permanently, only moving it to rotate every few
days so each side gets equal light.
Figs dislike sudden changes in temperature and humidity, so be sure to acclimate your tree to the outside when
putting it out for the summer by introducing it to increasing sunshine each day until it can be outdoors for the
growing season.
Ficus are very forgiving of beginner's blunders, and make an excellent tree for someone just starting in bonsai.
Ficus and Figs
| F. Benjamina photo courtesy of Golden Bonsai Nursery |