Ficus abutilifolia

Though it is not much used in horticulture as yet, it shows great potential, and is known to be a good subject for bonsai.

Habitat: Savanna woodland or bushveld, usually on rocks, up to an altitude of 1000m.

Ficus altissima

A large, spreading tree to 80ft or more, often with aerial roots, and a crown more than 100 feet wide. Leaves are glabrous, elliptic to ovate, to 10in long and 6in wide. The 1/2 to 3/4in diameter figs begin yellow but ripen red.

Like other figs, lofty fig often begins life as an epiphyte, growing on other trees (especially palms) until it sends its own roots into the ground, often encircling its host, and eventually displacing the host tree. It has also been found growing as a lithophyte on rock walls, stone or concrete buildings, and in cracks on bridges and turnpike overpasses.Introduced as a large shade tree but unsuitable for the urban landscape due to its immense size and extensive root system.

Ficus aspera

The foliage is 8 to 12 inches in length, cordate to rhomboid in shape, and sometimes coarsely toothed on the margins. The leaves have white and gray-green blotches on a dark green background.

This Ficus requires heat and humidity, and detests cold and drafts. Plant which need at least a few hours a day of solar light in a pretty bright place, although avoiding direct sunlight, which could damage the foliage.

Ficus auriculata, Ficus roxburghii

The elephant ear fig tree is the fig tree with the largest leaves in the rainforests of Xishuangbanna. It usually occurs in windbreaks of the forest, in forest clearings, or at the edge of rain forests: simply the places where birds frequently roost and leave their droppings behind. The young leaves are starting intensely red, and turn more and more green when reaching their ultimate size of up to 2 ft in length. This is surely an impressive fig species and it makes a great indoor plant for large rooms or hotel lobbies. It can also easy be trimmed and the plant reacts with even more shoots and leaves on a thicker stem.The fruits are very much liked for the jelly-like substance contained in them. If this tree gets a proper supply of water, organic matter, etc. It grows very vigorously.

Ficus bengalensis, Ficus indica

Very large, fast growing, evergreen tree up to 10ft, with spreading branches and many aerial roots. Leaves stalked, ovate-cordate, 3 nerved, when young downy on both sides; petiole with a broad smooth greasy gland at the apex, compressed, downy. Fruit in axillary pairs, the size of a cherry, round and downy. The Indian Banyan is the most famous banyan. In India, an entire army camped under a single giant old tree. Various parts of this plant are considered medicinal. The bark of this therapeutically valuable tree is attributed with tonic, astringent,cooling and diuretic properties in Ayurveda.

Ficus benjamina

A tree or shrub that is epiphytic when it is young. This fig tree is used as a shade and ornamental tree for homes and conservatory. The leaves and the fruit posses the ornamental value. The leaves are leathery and about five inches long and two inches wide. The Weeping Ficus fruits are pairs of red figs. Wasps mate inside fruit, are often sealed inside. Makes a good container specimen or bonsai.

Ficus capensis, Sycomorus capensis

Ficus carica

A small tree native to southwest Asia. Widely grown for its fruit and is commercially grown in the United States in California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. The fig was one of the first plants ever to be cultivated by humans. Fossilized figs dating to 9400-9200 BC were found in an early Neolithic village in the Jordan Valley.

The lovely lobed green leaves make it valuable in the landscape even without its fruit. They are very large, prominently veined and deeply lobed and may be 8 to 10 inches long. Most figs are deciduous during the winter months and drop their leaves in late December and resume growth in February and early March.

The fig fruit is actually a hollow receptacle with hundreds of small fleshy flowers facing each other on the inside. In their native habitat, figs are pollinated by a tiny gall wasp that enters the flower cluster through a small opening in the apex. Each flower then produces a small fruit containing the seeds. The wasp is not present in most of North America, so seeds are not produced.

Figs are prized for their delicious fruit, which can be one to three inches in length, violet, brown or black. There are even varieties with yellow fruit. Most fruits are borne from early summer to late fall on new growth, and the fruits generally mature very quickly.

Figs grow nicely and will bear fruit when grown in containers where they can be artfully pruned to create a living sculpture to decorate deck or patio. The fig makes a splendid patio or indoor plant that grows with little attention, save for constantly moist soil and bright light. Prefers alkaline, well-drained soil, but can tolerate wet conditions (waterlogging). Drought tolerant, once established. Mulch heavily with organic materials to conserve moisture, improve soil structure and reduce root knot nematode levels. Responds well to pruning and can be espaliered or pruned heavily in the dormant season for size control and to increase the main crop.

Trees are very sensitive to frost when actively growing, but can withstand 10F when dormant. Young fig trees should be watered regularly until fully established.

Figs will shade out anything growing beneath. Repeated pruning to control size causes loss of crop. Roots are greedy, traveling far beyond the tree canopy. For container grown plants, replace most of the soil in the tub every three years and keep the sides of the tub shaded to prevent overheating in sunlight.

See article about this fruit tree.

Ficus citrifolia

Ficus citrifolia can grow up to 18 metres tall. The bole can be 75cm in diameter The plant often begins life as an epiphyte, growing in the branch of another tree; as it grows older it sends down aerial roots which, when they reach the ground quickly form roots and become much thicker and more vigorous. They supply nutrients to the fig, allowing it to grow faster than the host tree.

The roundish fruit is greenish, often brown dotted, turning reddish and brownish at maturity, about 10mm in diameter. Fleshy, but with very little flavour.

See article by Mark Hooten

Ficus cordata salicifolia

This species occurs in kloofs along watercourses and rocky outcrops. A typical rock fig, it is spreading in form and seldom exceeds 30 ft in height. The figs, which turn red when ripe, are small and hairless and are borne on short stalks. Makes a good container specimen or bonsai.