Ficus benjamina
A broadleaf evergreen from the Moraceae family native to tropical Asia and northern Australia, prized as a versatile indoor tree with arching branches and glossy leaves, air-purifying qualities, tolerance of poor growing conditions, and ability to be grown in containers, typically 2–10 ft tall indoors and up to 40–50 ft outdoors.
Common Names
Weeping Fig, Benjamin Fig, Ficus Tree, Small-Leaved Rubber Plant, Java Fig, Tropic Laurel, Weeping Figs
Summary
weeping fig is a broadleaf evergreen in the Moraceae family native to Asia and Australia, forming a tree with arching branches and glossy oval leaves, outdoors it can reach 40–60 ft tall and 60–100 ft wide, while indoors it is commonly kept around 3–6 ft tall and used as an ornamental tree, hedge, or braided specimen, with variegated cultivars available, care essentials include bright indirect light with tolerance for some shade, steady moisture in a well-draining soil, and temperatures of 65–85°F with humidity 40–60%, water when the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry, avoid overwatering, and repot every 1–2 years, prune to shape and propagate from stem cuttings or air layering, used as indoor specimen, office plant, or landscape hedge, with common issues including leaf drop from stress and pests such as scale, mealybugs, and spider mites
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3-6 ft
Spread
25-30 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 10a-12b
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-draining, rich potting soil.
Soil Drainage
Well-draining soil
Soil pH
6.0–8.0, Weakly acidic or neutral soil
Bloom Color
Insignificant
Bloom Time
Rarely; no defined season (indoors rarely flowers).
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
No fall color; evergreen (green year-round)
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Fast
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Birds — small fruit eaten by doves and pigeons (in nature)
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- L.
- Publication
- Mant. Pl. : 129 (1767)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Rosales
- Family
- Moraceae
- Genus
- Ficus
Synonyms
Urostigma neglectum Urostigma nitidum Urostigma nitidum Ficus benjamina var. comosa Ficus benjamina subsp. comosa Ficus benjamina var. haematocarpa Ficus benjamina var. nuda Ficus benjamina f. warringiana Ficus cuspidato-caudata Ficus dictyophylla Ficus haematocarpa Ficus lucida Ficus nepalensis Ficus nitida Ficus notobor Ficus nuda Ficus pyrifolia Ficus reclinata Ficus striata Ficus umbrina Ficus retusa f. nitida Ficus benjamina var. comosa Urostigma benjaminum Urostigma haematocarpum Ficus benjamina var. bracteata Ficus benjamina var. benjamina Urostigma nudum Ficus benjamina var. bracteata Ficus comosa Ficus neglecta Ficus papyrifera Ficus parvifolia Ficus pendula Ficus retusa var. nitida Ficus xavieri Urostigma benjaminum var. nudum