Get 10% off your first order with the code: FIRST-10
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.

Ficus microcarpa Ginseng - bonsai

Ficus microcarpa
Indian Laurel, Chinese Banyan, Malayan Banyan, Curtain Fig, Gajumaru

Be the first to leave a review

Why not try an alternative variety in stock?

3
From 85,00 € 7.5L/10L pot
10
From 3,90 € Mini-plante
53
From 9,90 € Mini-plante
7
From 3,90 € Mini-plante
10
From 3,90 € Mini-plante

This plant carries a 30 days recovery warranty

More information

A tropical fig tree, which forms large trees with aerial roots in the humid climates of South Asia, and which is cultivated in pots as bonsai in our latitudes. It forms very fleshy roots that are mistaken for trunks, and that give an imposing aspect even to young plants. Of a beautiful light grey, their trunk-like silhouette supports a dense crown of tight branches carrying elliptical leaves. They are a beautiful dark green shiny evergreen, decorative all year round. To be cultivated in a pot, outdoors during summer, under a filtered sun, and to be brought indoors before the first cold weather, to a bright and frost-free room.
Watering frequency
Moderate (once a week)
Indoor exposure
Indirect bright light, Direct bright light
Benefits and advantages
Easy to cut
Benefits and advantages
Graphics port
Benefits and advantages
Bonsai

Description

Ficus microcarpa Ginseng, is a tree native to tropical and subtropical Asia, too frost-tender to be planted outdoors in colder climates. It is therefore grown in pots, and most often trained as a bonsai, due to its interesting morphology. It displays a pseudo trunk, composed of large roots often overlapped with each other, which gives it a very sculptural look. Its evergreen foliage, consisting of small shiny dark green leaves, has perfect dimensions to visually enhance this dwarf tree. This frost-tender species must be overwintered indoors.

Ficus microcarpa belongs to the Moraceae family. This prolific genus includes more than 750 species, including our delicious Mediterranean fig tree. This tree is native to tropical and subtropical Asia (India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Malaysia) and Oceania (Australia, New Caledonia). It generally grows in humid climates, which promotes the formation of aerial roots, like many other species. It is found in humid tropical forests and other environments with high humidity (riverbanks, swamps, mangroves...), especially at low altitudes. Its good adaptability to different living conditions makes it a useful ornamental plant in urban environments.
Under these favourable development conditions, this species can reach up to 30 m in height and occupy a lot of space on the ground, due to its multiple aerial roots that descend from the trunks and anchor themselves in the soil. The tree then resembles giant plant organs, creating a spectacular scene. Ficus microcarpa is one of the strangler figs. Its seeds sometimes germinate on other trees, and it begins its life as an epiphyte, like many orchids or bromeliads. But over time, adventitious roots are emitted and they begin to progress towards the ground, firmly anchoring themselves. Gradually, they end up encircling and suffocating the unfortunate tree that served as their support!
Pollinated by a specific wasp species, this tree can produce millions of seeds when it reaches adulthood, which can make it invasive. It has been introduced in different countries or states such as Florida, California and South America, where it has adapted to local climates.

It should be grown in a pot and brought indoors in winter to a bright, frost-free room. However, it can tolerate occasional cold temperatures of around 0°C, so in mild climates, it can be left on a well-sheltered balcony during winter, exposed to the sun. Trained as a (pseudo) bonsai, this small Ficus will never reach the "tropical" dimensions it is known for. With a rather slow growth, it can be easily kept in reduced dimensions. Its fleshy roots, with beautiful grey bark, which are often mistaken for multiple trunks, give it a very venerable appearance. The trunk itself is very short and branches out into many limbs, forming a dense crown. It is possible to prune it to give it a particular and distinctive shape. Its foliage, with dimensions suitable for bonsai making, consists of leaves generally measuring 4 to 6 cm long and 2 to 3 cm wide. They are elliptical, carried by short petioles and different leaf sizes coexist on the branches. They are dark green, covered with a shiny glossy cuticle and decorative all year round, as the plant is evergreen.
This Ficus can be permanently grown indoors, in an environment that is not too dry, otherwise the tips of the leaves may turn brown and curl up, or even fall off. Although it appreciates atmospheric humidity, it does not tolerate excess water at the roots. While it is accommodating regarding the nature of the substrate, it should be well-drained. A good solution is to bring it indoors to a frost-free conservatory, for example, or near a glass door to ensure good sunlight, when nighttime temperatures drop below about 5°C. In spring, it will be possible to take it back outside after the last frosts. Care should be taken not to expose it to full sun immediately, as this would scorch the leaves accustomed to lower light levels for months... Watering should be regular during the growing season, allowing the substrate to dry out slightly, but not waiting for it to dry completely. However, in winter, watering should be reduced and spaced out.

This cute little Ficus is quite easy to grow, as long as the atmosphere is not too dry. In warm climates, it should be placed in light shade, ideally under taller plants. These will maintain a favourable environment by transpiring. It will decorate a terrace or even a balcony, combined with other sculptural plants such as Operculicarya decaryi, which also often trained as a bonsai with compound and delicate foliage. Caudex plants like Pachypodium lamerei will help create a decorative and high-quality architectural scene. Why not associate it with a dwarf Fig tree (with fruits) such as Figality, a horticultural variety that can also be grown in a pot in a small space and will give you sweet fruits.

For a little history, Ginseng is purely a commercial name, derived from the Chinese ren shen ("man" and "root"), mispronounced by Anglo-Saxons as ginseng, and refers to Panax ginseng, whose roots often take a humanoid shape...

Report an error about the product description

Fig tree, Ficus carica: planting, pruning and care
Family sheet
by Virginie T. 15 min.
Fig tree, Ficus carica: planting, pruning and care
Read article

Foliage

Foliage colour dark green
Foliage persistence Evergreen

Plant habit

Height at maturity 40 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate slow

Botanical data

Genus

Ficus

Species

microcarpa

Family

Moraceae

Other common names

Indian Laurel, Chinese Banyan, Malayan Banyan, Curtain Fig, Gajumaru

Origin

Southeast Asia

Safety measures

Potential risks Plant may be toxic if swallowed
Toxic plant
Irritating sap
Product reference18460

Other Ficus - Indoor plant fig

30
From 4,90 € 8/9 cm pot

Available in 4 sizes

15
24,50 € 2L/3L pot

Available in 3 sizes

25
19,50 € 2L/3L pot

Available in 3 sizes

Out of stock
24,50 € 2L/3L pot
Available to order
24,50 € 3L/4L pot

Available in 2 sizes

1
21,50 € 2L/3L pot

Available in 3 sizes

Out of stock
From 12,50 € 8/9 cm pot
6
24,50 € 4L/5L pot

Available in 2 sizes

Available to order
29,50 € 4L/5L pot
Available to order
27,50 € 4L/5L pot

Location

Place it near a very bright window (east, south filtered by a curtain, or west). Avoid draughts and heating/air conditioning vents (leaf drop). If natural light is weak in winter, add an LED horticultural lamp to guarantee ~6 hours of quality light. Acclimatise it gradually to direct sunlight to avoid scorching the foliage.

Location

Indoor exposure Indirect bright light, Direct bright light
For which room? Office, Lounge, Veranda
Height at maturity 40 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate slow
Low temperature tolerance >15°C (greenhouse)
Humidity level High (60-80%), Moderate (40-60%)

Maintenance and care

Watering tips

Water thoroughly when the surface of the substrate is dry, until water runs through the drainage holes. No more than once a week in winter if the plant is growing slowly. Soaking watering is possible (a few minutes), allow to drain well. Light misting 2–3 times/week or use a gravel tray for humidity.

Potting advice, substrates and fertilisers

Repot every 2-3 years, in spring, when growth resumes. For young or very vigorous specimens, repotting every 1-2 years can be considered. When repotting, a light root pruning can be done (removing dead roots, overly circular roots), and the growing medium can be refreshed.
Use a very free-draining mix: e.g. 1/3 akadama + 1/3 pumice or volcanic rock + 1/3 compost/fine bark. Fine grain size for bonsai. A drainage layer and a pot with drainage holes are essential.
Apply a balanced houseplant fertiliser (liquid 3-3-3 to 10-10-10) year-round indoors, reducing if growth slows; maintain a steady rhythm from spring to autumn. Apply every 2 weeks during the growing season (every 4 to 6 weeks in winter).

Houseplant care

Remove dead or damaged leaves to prevent disease outbreaks. Clean the leaves with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust.
Prune if necessary in the spring to give a specific shape to your Ficus Ginseng.

Disease and pest advice

The Ficus ginseng is considered fairly robust, but sensitive to imbalances (watering, light, humidity). For scale insects (armoured or mealybugs): if the infestation is light, remove manually with a cotton bud soaked in isopropyl alcohol or diluted household alcohol. if the infestation is more severe: spray with an insecticidal soap or neem oil, following the instructions (correct dilution). Repeat the treatment every 7 to 10 days until the scale insects disappear.

Maintenance and care

Watering frequency Moderate (once a week)
Fogging 2 to 3 times a week
Type of soil Draining soil
Pests and diseases Mealybugs, Red spider mites, Aphids, Black spots, Rots
Susceptibility to diseases Medium
Ease of cultivation Amateur

This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.

Leave a review →

Haven't found what you were looking for?