1/10

Ficus Bonsai

About Ficus Bonsai

Did you know that all plants in the Ficus genus produce figs? In fact, the word Ficus quite literally means figs! Even cooler, all figs are pollinated by tiny wasps that use the fruits as a safe place to raise their young. 🐝 Ficus plants also contain latex which emerges as a milky sap when twigs are broken. This latex makes them toxic, so be sure to keep a close eye out if you have children or pets!

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Ficus retusa

Genus

Ficus

Family

Moraceae

Order

Rosales

Also known as

ficus ginseng, Retuse fig, Ficus Ginseng and Ficus Retusa Bonsai

How to care for Ficus Bonsai

💦 Water

How often to water your Ficus Bonsai

Ficus Bonsai needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Ficus Bonsai in your home

Ficus Bonsai love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Ficus Bonsai does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Ficus Bonsai in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Ficus Bonsai

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Ficus Bonsai: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Ficus Bonsai after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Ficus

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Ficus Bonsai prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Ficus Bonsai Water Frequency →

Ficus Bonsai Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Ficus Bonsai requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Ficus Bonsai Light Requirements →

Ficus Bonsai Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Ficus Bonsai is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

💨 Humidity

Ficus Bonsai prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Ficus Bonsai Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Ficus Bonsai does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Pots for Ficus Bonsai →

When and How to Successfully Repot Ficus Bonsai →

What Are Healthy Ficus Bonsai Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Ficus Bonsai should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Ficus Bonsai to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Ficus Bonsai is native to worldwide Tropics.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Ficus Bonsai can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Ficus Bonsai Temperature Tolerance →

Ficus Bonsai Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Ficus Bonsai →

When to Plant Ficus Bonsai →

How to Plant Ficus Bonsai →

Where to Plant Ficus Bonsai →

Winter Care for Ficus Bonsai →

Best Companion Plants for Ficus Bonsai →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Ficus Bonsai, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.