What Is a Ficus?

By Richard Flowers, ACCNP, Green Thumb Nursery, Ventura

What is a ficus? Is it a tree, a vine, a hedge, a houseplant, or a fruit? Surprisingly, the answer is yes to all of them. Ficus is an extremely diverse genus of more than 800 species of trees, shrubs, and vines in the fig family (Moraceae). It is pantropical (native across the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia, and the Pacific), and many of its members are commonly called figs. Nearly all ficus produce a fruit called a fig, but only the common fig, Ficus carica, and its cultivars bear the sweet type you can actually eat.

The Ficus Family at a Glance

Sizes and hardiness from Cal Poly SelecTree, NC State Extension, and Clemson Cooperative Extension.

Edible Figs (Ficus carica)

Most ficus are evergreen, but there are deciduous members in non-tropical areas, most notably the fruiting fig trees, Ficus carica, the edible fig. Like all ficus, it is related to the mulberry. Fresh home-grown figs are lusciously sweet, with a texture that combines the chewiness of the flesh, the smoothness of the skin, and the crunch of the seeds. They shine grilled, baked into breads and cakes, or stuffed with cheese. There are so many varieties it is mind-boggling; standouts to consider include White Genoa, Black Jack, Kadota, and Violette de Bordeaux. For how figs fit into a year-round backyard orchard, see our guide to growing 12 months of fruit.

Ficus Houseplants

Three ficus dominate the houseplant world. The fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is prized for its large, waxy, violin-shaped leaves and upright, sculptural branching, perfect for breaking up a big blank wall. The weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is the most common ficus of all, with slender, arching branches and dense, glossy leaves; indoors it is usually kept between 3 and 6 feet and sometimes grown with a braided trunk. The rubber tree (Ficus elastica) brings larger-than-life, waxy foliage and reaches 6 to 10 feet indoors. Both weeping fig and rubber tree also come in handsome variegated forms. You will find all three in our indoor plants department.

Ficus for SoCal Landscapes

Well known to Southern California residents, the Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’) carries thick, dark-green leaves on upright branches of a fast-growing evergreen, most often planted as a tall “screen” hedge for year-round privacy, and we compare it with other screening plants in our guide to privacy hedges for SoCal. The creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is an evergreen vine, hardy to about 20°F, that clings to almost any surface to create a curtain of dense growth or an attractive hanging basket.

One important caution: on any ficus planted in the ground, the roots are shallow, greedy, strong, and invasive. When placing an outdoor ficus, pick a site where the roots will not damage foundations, hardscape, or pipes. Not sure which ficus fits your yard? Ask the team at your local Green Thumb Nursery.

How to Care for a Ficus

Most ficus houseplants share the same basic care needs:

• Light: Bright, indirect light. Fiddle-leaf and rubber trees tolerate a few hours of gentle direct sun; too little light causes weak, leggy growth and dropped leaves.
• Water: Keep the soil evenly moist during active growth and let it dry slightly between waterings in winter. Never leave a ficus waterlogged or sitting in a saucer of water. Overwatering causes root rot.
• Soil: A rich, well-draining potting mix in a container with drainage holes.
• Temperature: These are tender tropicals. Keep them warm, away from cold drafts, heaters, and AC vents, and protect them from frost. Most indoor ficus should come inside well before SoCal’s cool nights.
• Leaf drop: Ficus, especially weeping fig, drop leaves when stressed by a move, a draft, or a change in watering or light. Give them a stable spot and consistent care, and they re-leaf once acclimated.
• Handle with care: When you prune or cut a ficus it exudes a milky white latex that can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves and wash up afterward.

Bring a leaf or a photo of your plant when you visit us in Ventura and we can help you dial in the care.

Ficus FAQs: Figs, Edibility, and Varieties

What is a ficus?

A ficus is a large, diverse genus of more than 800 species of trees, shrubs, and vines native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, most of which are commonly called figs. The group includes edible fig trees, popular houseplants like the fiddle-leaf fig, weeping fig, and rubber tree, and climbing vines like creeping fig.

Is a ficus edible? Can you eat it?

Only one ficus produces the sweet figs you can eat: the common fig, Ficus carica. Nearly all other ficus produce small figs that are not edible, and every ficus releases a milky white latex when cut that can irritate skin, so ornamental types are not meant to be eaten.

Do all ficus produce figs?

Nearly all ficus produce a fruit called a fig, but only the common fig (Ficus carica) and its cultivars produce figs worth eating. Ornamental ficus such as the weeping fig produce tiny, inedible figs.

Do ficus trees have berries?

No. The small round balls on a ficus are not berries, they are tiny figs. A fig is a syconium, a hollow structure that holds the flowers inside, which is why you rarely see a ficus bloom. Every ficus makes these small figs, but only the common fig (Ficus carica) produces the sweet, edible kind.

Are ficus and fig trees the same?

The edible fig tree is a ficus: its botanical name is Ficus carica. So “fig” and “ficus” overlap: all true figs are ficus, and every ficus is related to the mulberry.

Are ficus trees deciduous or evergreen?

Most ficus are evergreen and hold their leaves year-round. The main exception is the fruiting fig tree (Ficus carica), which is deciduous and drops its leaves in cooler, non-tropical areas.

Sources

• Ficus, Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Ficus carica, Missouri Botanical Garden
• Weeping Fig, Ficus benjamina, NC State Extension
• Common Fig, Ficus carica, NC State Extension
• Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’, Cal Poly SelecTree
• Weeping Ficus, Clemson Cooperative Extension
• Ficus, Trees and Shrubs Online, International Dendrology Society