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How Much Light Does Your Space Get?
How Much Space Do You Have?
What Is the Room Temperature Like?
Growth habit and size of Ficus
How Much Maintenance and Commitment Does Ficus Require?
What’s the longevity of Ficus?
Is Ficus Toxic to Pets or Children?
Top 4 Ficus Varieties: Which One Suits You Best?
What to Buy Alongside Ficus ?
Ficus plants are among the most popular indoor houseplants globally, prized for their broad range of leaf shapes, structural elegance, and adaptability to indoor conditions.
Common indoor ficus varieties include:
Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig), Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant), Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf Fig), Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig).
Each species offers unique traits—from upright trees to trailing vines—making ficus suitable for living rooms, offices, bathrooms, and more. While they typically don’t flower indoors, their vibrant foliage and varied forms more than compensate.
This guide will help you choose and care for the right ficus for your lifestyle and space in New Zealand, including lighting, temperature, size expectations, and maintenance tips.
Ficus species generally prefer bright, indirect light and perform best when placed in rooms with consistent natural illumination.
🔦 Light Preferences by Variety:
Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig): Requires bright, indirect light year-round. Sensitive to light fluctuations.
Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant): Prefers moderate to bright indirect light; can adapt to slightly lower conditions.
Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf Fig): Requires bright, filtered light to prevent leaf drop or curling.
Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig): Tolerates low to moderate light, but flourishes in bright indirect settings.
📌 Avoid direct midday sun, which may scorch leaves.
✔ Living Room: Best for rubber plants & fiddle-leaf figs. Great light, space for growth.
✔ Office or Study: Perfect for weeping fig. Low-maintenance & elegant.
✔ Bathroom or Terrarium: Ideal for creeping fig. Loves humidity and lower light.
✔ Bedroom or Small Spaces: Try compact varieties like ‘Little Fiddle’ or dwarf benjamina.
🌡️ Ideal Temperature Ranges by Variety:
Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig): 16–27°C. Extremely sensitive to sudden temperature changes and cold drafts.
Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant): 18–29°C. Tolerates occasional dips but prefers warm, bright locations.
Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf Fig): 18–27°C. Vulnerable to cold shock; ensure away from windows in winter.
Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig): Tolerates a wider range—from -1°C to 24°C—suitable for cooler areas or conservatories.
📌 Avoid placing ficus plants near vents, heaters, or drafty windows, as temperature instability can lead to stress symptoms like leaf drop, wilting, or browning.
✔ Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina): Elegant arching branches. Up to 3 m indoors, compact types stay under 1 m.
✔ Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): Tall, upright growth.Can reach 3.6 m over time.
✔ Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata): Large, fiddle-shaped leaves. Grows up to 1.8 m+, compact varieties available.
✔ Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila): Trailing or climbing vine. Stays small with trimming, perfect for walls or terrariums
1. Watering
Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings. For dense root balls, occasionally soak thoroughly to rehydrate.
2. Fertilising
Use a balanced houseplant fertiliser monthly during active growth (spring/summer).Reduce frequency or pause feeding in winter.
3. Environmental Sensitivity: Ficus dislike abrupt changes in location, temperature, or lighting. Leaf drop is a common response—allow 4–6 weeks for adjustment before acting.
4. Pruning & Care by Type
F. benjamina: Seasonal leaf drop is normal; prune to control size.
F. elastica: Encourage branching by nicking above a leaf node; wipe leaves regularly.
F. lyrata: Prune tops for fullness or lower leaves for a tree-like shape.
F. pumila: Requires frequent trimming to manage spreading vines.
📌 Gloves recommended during pruning—ficus sap can irritate the skin.
✔ Weeping Fig: Up to 20 years
✔ Rubber Plant: 15+ years
✔ Fiddle-Leaf Fig: 10+ years
✔ Creeping Fig: 5 years, but easy to propagate indefinitely
📌 Ficus plants are known for long lifespans, making them ideal for plant lovers seeking a long-term indoor investment.
All ficus species contain a latex-based sap that is considered toxic to both pets and humans if ingested.
Toxic Components: The sap contains compounds that can irritate the skin, mouth, and gastrointestinal system.
Common Reactions: Symptoms may include drooling, vomiting, skin rash, or oral irritation in pets and mild nausea in children.
Look: Slender, arching branches with small glossy green leaves.
Popular For: Classic tree-like shape, often used in homes and offices.
Best Placement: Great for bright corners or as a calming feature in office spaces.
Growth Speed: Medium
Price Range: $60 – $180
Maintenance Difficulty: Moderate
Look: Large, oval leaves in rich green or burgundy with a glossy finish
Popular For: Bold foliage and ability to adapt to moderate care routines
Best Placement: Ideal for living rooms or hallways with bright, indirect light
Growth Speed: Slow to Medium
Price Range: $80 – $200
Maintenance Difficulty: Easy
Look: Oversized, violin-shaped leaves with a sculptural silhouette.
Popular For: Modern interior styling and designer appeal.
Best Placement: Perfect for well-lit living rooms or sunlit home offices.
Growth Speed: Slow
Price Range: $90 – $250
Maintenance Difficulty: Moderate to High
Look: Small, heart-shaped leaves on trailing or climbing stems.
Popular For: Fast growth and versatility for terrariums, topiaries, or walls.
Best Placement: Great for bathrooms, hanging baskets, or humid spaces.
Growth Speed: Fast
Price Range: $20 – $50
Maintenance Difficulty: Easy
1. Potting Mix
Choose a well-draining indoor mix containing peat, perlite, or coir. Avoid compacted or moisture-retentive soil.
2. Suitable Container
Large ficus species (e.g., F. elastica, F. lyrata) require heavy pots to prevent tipping. F . pumila (creeping fig) suits hanging baskets, terrariums, or topiary frames.
3. Fertiliser
Use a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser containing micronutrients. Apply monthly during spring and summer.
4. Tools & Protective Gear
Pruning shears for trimming and shaping. Gloves to avoid skin irritation from ficus sap.
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