If there is a handsome ficus in the house, he will certainly take pride of place in the green corner. And this is not only because he has an attractive appearance. Many beliefs and signs are associated with the plant. It allegedly solves financial problems, helps childless couples become happy parents, heals and does much more. To believe or not is everyone’s business. But many people want to grow a beautiful flower at home. We have compiled a selection of ficus varieties with photos and names to make it easier to choose the best option for yourself.
All about varieties of indoor ficuses
Species features
List of popular species
— Benjamin
– Bengali
— lyre-shaped
— Karika
— rubber-bearing
– Microcarpa
– Sacred
— Pumila
— Montana
— Parcel
Species features of an ornamental plant
Ficus is a representative of the mulberry family, a native of tropical forests. There are several hundred varieties of this species. They are very different, among them there are vines, shrubs and trees. The culture was “domesticated” relatively recently and the list of indoor varieties of ficuses is small: it contains names, descriptions and photos of only a few dozen representatives. All of them are not only beautiful, but also useful, because they clean the air well in the room.
Exotic varieties differ in size, shape and color of the leaves. The leaf plate can be plain or variegated, with light spots or edging. All ficuses love light, but do not tolerate direct sunlight. So they can get burned. They like regular but not excessive watering. The culture does not tolerate cold, drafts and dry air. She needs regular spraying and warmth.
Ficuses grow rather slowly, gradually filling the pot with root shoots. When it is full, they will need a transplant. Young specimens are transplanted quite often: about once a year and a half. Mature plants need the procedure much less frequently. For normal development, room exotics are fed. Do this in the spring-summer season with a frequency of once every three weeks. Any suitable mineral complexes are used.
Some types of ficuses can be dangerous to humans and pets. These are specimens with milky juice — a white, milk-like liquid. It is found in all parts of the plant and is released when they are damaged. If it comes into contact with mucous membranes or skin, milk can cause itching, redness or blisters. If the milky juice enters the gastrointestinal tract, it threatens with dyspeptic reactions. Therefore, you need to take care of the flower carefully, access to it should be limited.
What are ficuses: the most popular varieties
The exotic plant has many varieties. There are almost no blooming among them, they are all valued for their decorative appearance. Each type has its own attractive feature — the shape of the leaves, their color, the structure of the trunk, etc. We offer you to get acquainted with the most popular indoor types of ficuses: in our selection of names, photos and descriptions.
1. Benjamin
One of the most popular varieties with a large number of varieties. Among them there are tall and dwarf plants. Their leaves are small, teardrop-shaped, pointed at the end. Depending on the variety, they can be monophonic or variegated. For example, Natasha has dark green foliage, while Starlight has light green with a wide white edging.
Ficus benjamin loves good lighting, regular spraying, moderate watering and fresh air. It grows slowly, growing by 15-20 cm per year. It can bloom in greenhouses, but at home it rarely does. Bushes grow up to 50-300 cm in height. Sometimes several specimens are planted in one pot, as they grow, the stems are braided into a pigtail.
2. Bengali
A beautiful plant with large pubescent leaves. Their length reaches 20 cm, width — 6 cm. Leaves of different shapes can grow on one bush. This is a feature of the Bengal ficus. It grows very quickly, it adds from 60 to 100 cm in a year. It lends itself well to crown formation, so it is used in bonsai compositions. The bush has aerial roots that can take root when they hit the ground. Once every two or three years at the end of winter, it is advisable to replant the bush.
3. Lyre-shaped (lyrata)
Unusual variety with large wavy leaves. Their shape is similar to a musical instrument, for which the plant got its name. Depending on the variety, the leaf length can reach 35-45 cm.
The lyre-shaped appearance is rather capricious. Loves light, abundant watering and space. It needs support for normal growth. Sheet plates are not sprayed, but wiped with a damp cloth. Once every two years, the tree needs a transplant or a complete replacement of the substrate.
4. Karika
A semi-evergreen tree with sweet fruits known as figs. Very beautiful carved leaves are divided into segments. The trunk is thick, grayish-brown. Karika annually sheds foliage and bears fruit. In a year, you can get two harvests of sweet fruits. With good care, it lives up to 15 years. Needs periodic repotting and pruning. Likes warmth and good lighting.
5. Rubbery
He’s elastic. Fast growing plant with large fleshy oval leaves. Its milky juice contains isoprene, from which rubber was obtained. Hence the name of the variety.
The rubber-bearing variety grows rapidly, at home it reaches a height of 3 m. It tolerates pruning easily, and requires frequent transplantation. Does not like bright lighting, prefers partial shade. With good care, large adult specimens can bloom.
6. Microcarp
An unpretentious treelike perennial. Indoor varieties grow up to 150 cm. It is distinguished by the presence of thick aerial roots. They intertwine and become a reliable support for the tree. The leaves are small, elliptical, dark green. Ficus prefers high humidity and partial shade. Forced rearrangements cause severe stress in the tree. Grows at an average pace, needs pruning every spring. At home, microcarp rarely blooms. The flowers are male and female, but pollination does not occur. Therefore, there are no fruits.
7. Sacred
It got its name because, according to legend, enlightenment descended on the Buddha under such a tree. It is also called the Bodhi tree. In nature, it grows up to 30 m high, in room conditions it reaches 3 m, sometimes more. This is a powerful fast-growing tree with leathery large leaves. Their edges are slightly wavy. Dimensions do not always allow growing sacred ficus in a small apartment. Without regular pruning, it actively grows, the crown can reach 10 m in diameter. The plant does not tolerate cold and low humidity. It needs frequent spraying and regular watering. Responds well to feeding. Transplantation is carried out in the spring every two years.
8. Pumila
In the people, this variety is also called dwarf. The ground cover plant is highly branched. In nature, one specimen is able to grow and cover a large area with green mass. In room conditions, the pumila is grown as an ampelous bush. She feels good in hanging planters. Its ability to actively cling to the support allows for interesting green support compositions. Pumila does not tolerate heat well, prefers moderate temperatures. Needs regular abundant watering without waterlogging. The lighting is bright but diffused. Variegated varieties when grown in the shade may lose their pattern.
9. Montana
Ficus montana, also known as mountain and oak-leaved, belongs to evergreen creeping shrubs. It has green-brown shoots covered with small leaves. Leaf blades are slightly pubescent with rather stiff bristles, so they seem rough to the touch. As a room crop, montana is grown as a ground cover or ampel bush. He needs partial shade, abundant watering in the spring-summer season and moderate in winter. The culture does not tolerate cold, responds well to top dressing. The first five years it needs an annual transplant, later it is transplanted as the container is filled.
10. Parcel
Attracts attention with an unusual appearance. This is a small tree with a gray-brown trunk and a drooping crown. The green foliage seems to be sprinkled with a solution of chalk: white drops of varying degrees of saturation are scattered in a chaotic manner. The leaves are quite large, up to 18 cm long with retracted tips. The parcel grows slowly, does not need frequent pruning. Does not like bright light and does not tolerate direct sunlight. For normal growth, this ficus requires abundant watering, which should be reduced in the cold season, frequent spraying and regular feeding. The parcel does not tolerate drafts, sudden temperature changes and polluted air. Therefore, it is not recommended to grow this plant in or near the kitchen.
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