Ginseng ficus care guide

The ginseng ficus is a small fig with thick, swollen roots that sit above the soil like a fat, gnarled trunk. Glossy, oval leaves grow on top. It is often sold as a first bonsai. It is one of the toughest figs to grow indoors. It still has the fig habit of dropping leaves when it is moved.

Light

Give it bright light. An east or south window is ideal. A few hours of morning sun is good for it.

In low light, it grows long, bare stems with big gaps between leaves. Every leaf on a fig is built for the light it grew in. Move it to a dimmer spot, and it may drop leaves, then grow new ones. Read more in the weeping fig care guide.

It can spend summer outside in a bright spot out of hot afternoon sun. Move it in and out over a week or two, so the change is gradual.

Water

Water when the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. In winter, it needs water less often.

The thick roots store water, so it handles a missed watering. Soggy soil rots the roots and softens the trunk. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a well-draining houseplant mix or a bonsai mix.

Most are sold in shallow bonsai pots. Repot every two to three years in spring. Keep the fat roots above the soil line. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Average room air is fine. Keep it away from heat vents and cold drafts. In humid air, it may grow thin aerial roots from the trunk. That is normal.

Keep it between 16 and 27°C (60 and 80°F), and above 13°C (55°F).

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.

Pruning

Pruning keeps it small and full. When a new shoot has grown six to eight leaves, cut it back to two or three leaves. Cut just above a leaf. New branches grow from below the cut.

Prune in spring and summer. Wear gloves. The milky sap irritates skin.

Propagation

Stem cuttings root well in water or moist mix. A cutting grows into a normal ficus. It will not grow the fat ginseng roots. Those come from plants grown from seed in the nursery.

Air layering also works on a woody branch. Read the rubber plant care guide for the method.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Leaves drop after a move	Change in light. It will settle.
Yellow leaves and soggy soil	Too much water
Soft, wrinkled trunk	Root rot, or it dried out too far
Long stems, big gaps	Not enough light, or it needs pruning
Sticky leaves, brown bumps	Scale
Fine webbing under leaves	Spider mites

Pests

Scale, mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips are the most common pests. Check under the leaves and along the stems. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists figs, such as the weeping fig, as toxic to cats and dogs. Ginseng ficus has the same milky sap. It can irritate the mouth, stomach, and skin.

Varieties

• ‘Ginseng’ has the thick, swollen roots. Some are grafted, with the leafy top from a different ficus. Look for a join line on the trunk.
• ‘Tiger Bark’ has striped bark and small leaves.
• ‘Green Island’ has round, thick, dark leaves and a compact shape.