FICUS Facts

COLORS

Rich green

LIGHT

Bright indirect or filtered sunlight

SOIL

One part loam, one part peat moss, one part sand

WATER

Keep barely moist at all times

pH

HARDINESS

USES

Very popular indoor "tree"

TIP

FICUS

One of the more popular houseplants is the weeping fig, also known as ficus. Though related to the edible fig, ficus does not bear fruit. It does, however, make a beautiful display for an indoor plant. A bushy tree that might grow to 50 feet in its native Malaysia, ficus can easily be kept to a height of 6 feet or allowed to grow to ceiling height. Its 3-inch, shiny, pointed leaves tolerate low humidity well -- a reason it is so popular as a houseplant. Another popular ficus houseplant is the rubber plant, whose large, dark green, leathery, shiny leaves make the plant look artificial. Other ficus plants take the form of evergreen or deciduous trees, vines or shrubs.

One of the more popular houseplants is the weeping fig, also known as ficus.

FERTILIZING FICUS

Plants are easy to start from semi-hardwood cuttings taken between May and July. Ficus plants like fairly warm rooms but will tolerate low humidity. Weeping figs need more light -- filtered sun or bright, indirect light -- than rubber plants. Soil for both plants tends to dry out, but don't overcompensate by watering too much.

Feed both plants with Vigoro® Tree & Shrub Plant Food regularly except in the fall and winter, and wash the leaves with warm water. The plants like to be pot bound, and their size can be controlled by root pruning them and putting them back into the same pot. Stems can also be cut back to the desired height and will produce new, compact growth.

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