Ficus varieties with names, care, and replanting (+25 photos)

The rubber ficus is an exotic houseplant whose decorative value lies in its interesting leaves and large size. During Soviet times, owning a rubber ficus was considered prestigious. Today, this plant is no less popular.

Characteristics of the variety

The genus Ficus belongs to the Moraceae family. It comprises over 800 plant species. Most are evergreen, but deciduous species also exist. Only a few species of Ficus are grown indoors. All are evergreen perennials.

The plant's native land is considered to be the tropics of Malaysia and the Philippines. In the wild, it can also be found on the coasts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Many ficus trees grow in the forests of the Mediterranean and South Africa. Some species grow in Crimea, the Caucasus, Central Asia, China, and India.

There are trees, shrubs, and vines of ficus. All are characterized by a well-developed root system. The stems are strong and resilient. Some species have woody stems.

The leaves typically grow alternately. Opposite leaves are rare. The blades are entire and come in a variety of shapes. They are attached to the trunk by prominent petioles. The plant is distinguished by its rather large stipules. In some species, these fall off after the leaf unfurls, while in others, they remain attached to the blade's petiole.

The leaves come in shades of green. Some ficus trees have two-tone or two-colored leaves with white streaks and stripes.

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Ficus species with photos and descriptions

Only five species of ficus are widely used in indoor gardening. To choose the right one for your home, it's worth exploring the range of ficus varieties, including photos, names, care, and repotting tips.

Rubber-bearing

The rubber plant, or Elastica, is one of the most common species of this plant. The following varieties of rubber plant are distinguished:

1. Decora. Very large leaf blades with curled tips. The upper surface of the blades is bright green, the underside is light green. The petioles are "painted" pink.

   

2. Black Prince. This variety features large, rich, dark green leaves with a red midrib.

   

3. Robusta. This variety is very similar to Decora. The only difference is the reddish vein on the back of the leaf.

   

4. Melanie. This ficus is visually identical to the Robusta variety. The difference is that Melanie grows as a low bush.

   

5. Abidjan. Distinguished by very wide leaf blades. Young leaves are beetroot-colored, which turns green with age.

   

6. Tineke. Distinguished by leaves with gray or cream spots on a dark green background.

   

7. Belize. Green leaves with creamy markings. The central vein and underside of the leaf are tinted pink.

   

8. Brazil. This variety is a smaller version of the Belize variety.

   

Rubber-bearing representatives are the most unpretentious.

Benjamin

The Benjamina species is no less common. It grows as a bush or small tree. Numerous hybrids of this species exist. The most common varieties are:

1. Safari. A small-leaved variety with boat-shaped leaves. They have a marbled coloration, consisting of dark green and cream shades.

   

2. Baroque. Distinguished by its dark green, ring-shaped leaves.

   

3. Naomi Gold. A large-leaved ficus with thin, drooping stems. The leaves are painted a light green.

   

4. Wendy. Distinguished by its zigzag stem, which constantly changes direction.

   

5. Eldorado. Similar in appearance to the Safari variety. The difference lies in the larger size of the leaves.

   

Representatives of the Benjamin species do not tolerate direct sunlight and waterlogged soil.

Ali (Binnendika)

Ali is a Binnendickia cultivar. The plant is distinguished by its very long, drooping leaves. The leaves are glossy and rich green. This cultivar is very popular. It is used for landscaping homes, offices, and large halls.

Lyre-shaped

The lyrate variety is considered the most spectacular of all indoor ficuses. Its size is astonishing: a mature plant reaches 2.5 m in height; a single leaf is 0.5 m long and 0.25 m wide. The trunk is covered with light brown bark. The leaves are dark green, with light veins.

Lyrate species grow only in spacious rooms. Young trees are replanted exclusively by transshipment. Mature plants require only topsoil changes.

Dwarf

Dwarf ficus is a trailing plant with small, round leaves and highly branched stems. The following dwarf varieties are distinguished:

1. Sunny. Distinguished by its bright light green color.
2. White Sunny. Characterized by dark green leaves with white streaks.

The dwarf variety requires regular pruning. Otherwise, the plant will look untidy and lose its decorative appeal.

How to care for a plant at home

Caring for ficus trees at home is easy. With proper care, the plant grows quickly and delights the eye with its exotic beauty.

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Temperature and humidity

These flowers are very heat-loving. The optimal temperature for them is considered to be between 25°C and 30°C during the warm season and between 16°C and 20°C during cold weather. The critical minimum is 10°C.

Ficus plants require high humidity to thrive. The optimal humidity level is 70-80%. You can increase humidity in the following ways:

1. Placing the flower in a room with an aquarium or a household humidifier.
2. Placing a flower pot on a tray of wet pebbles.
3. Constantly spray the air around the plant.

The leaves should be periodically wiped with damp cloths. During warmer months, it's advisable to periodically place the plant under a shower.

Light

The plant requires plenty of bright light. Only varieties with dark green leaves can be shaded. Variegated hybrids prefer direct sunlight. These ficus are best grown on windowsills facing east, west, or south.

In winter, the plant may require additional lighting. For this purpose, you can purchase special phytolamps or use regular daylight or UV lamps. To prevent the stem from becoming crooked, periodically rotate the pot.

Watering and fertilizing

Ficuses are kept moist by overhead watering. During active growth, water as needed, when the soil surface is completely dry. In winter, water no more than once a week. Use soft, settled water for watering.

Plants are fed exclusively during the growing season, from April to September. Fertilizer is applied twice a month. For feeding, use mineral fertilizers for decorative foliage indoor plants. Nitrogen should be the main component of the fertilizer.

Diseases, pests and treatment

Ficus trees can become victims of the following diseases and pests:

It's worth noting that these plants rarely get sick. Typically, illnesses are the result of improper care. Gardeners have a saying about this: "Clean leaves are the key to a healthy ficus."

Propagation and transplantation of flowers at home

Young plants are repotted annually. Mature plants can be repotted every 2-3 years. Large potted plants should not be disturbed due to the risk of damaging the above-ground parts. For such plants, simply replace the soil above.

There's a special soil for ficuses, although it's worth noting that these plants also grow well in a general-purpose potting mix. You can prepare the soil yourself. You'll need the following ingredients:

• river sand – ¼;
• leaf soil – ¼;
• peat – ¼;
• turf soil – ¼.

The flower is propagated by cuttings, layering, and seeds. More details on each method are provided below.

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Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings occurs as follows:

1. A piece of stem 10-15 cm long is cut at an angle.
2. Excess leaves are removed from the cutting, leaving only the top pair.
3. The cutting is placed under running water to remove the milky juice.
4. The cutting is rooted in regular ficus soil and covered with a transparent cap.
5. The seedling is sprayed and ventilated daily.

As soon as the cutting takes root and produces new leaves, it is replanted like an adult plant.

Layering

To obtain a new flower by layering, you should follow these steps:

1. A small cut is made on the trunk, 1/3 of its thickness.
2. A match or toothpick is inserted into the slit to prevent the edges of the cut from closing.
3. The cut part of the trunk is wrapped in damp sphagnum moss and secured with film.

When good roots appear at the site of the cut, the part of the trunk with aerial roots is cut off and rooted in normal soil for ficus.

Seeds

Propagation of ficus from seeds occurs in the following way:

1. The seeds are sown in a container with moist soil for ficus and pressed lightly.
2. The container is covered with polyethylene and placed in a dark place.
3. On a daily basis, the seeding is moistened by spraying and ventilated for 30 minutes.

The first shoots will appear 10 days after sowing. For some species, this can take up to 8 weeks. Seedlings with two good leaves are transplanted into separate containers, but continue to be kept under plastic wrap. Once established, ficus plants are repotted like mature flowers. Early spring is a favorable time for sowing.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Growing a ficus tree at home is easy if you follow certain care guidelines. The wide selection of species and varieties will surely impress.