Ficus microcarpa , or Chinese Banyan, is a species of fig tree native to tropical and subtropical Asia. When young, the plant appears to be a shrub, but when grown outdoors in Mediterranean climates, it can reach 40 feet high with a 40 foot crown. It also grows well as a shade tree and, for this reason, is frequently used as an indoor tree and in bonsai. The Chinese Banyan has a rounded dense crown with a smooth gray bark, milky sap, and long, thin, dangling aerial roots. A tropical and subtropical species, the tree requires a warm climate and a humid atmosphere to thrive. The tree was widely distributed as an ornamental plant and is one of the most common street trees in warm climates. It is suitable for temperatures above 68 degrees F all year long, thus it is generally sold as a houseplant. High humidity (70% - 100%) is preferable and seems to favor the development of aerial roots. Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng' is a cultivar used extensively in bonsai for its bulbous, thick roots reminiscent of ginseng that rise out of the ground. It is sometimes grafted with branches of a smaller-leaved cultivar. While it is commonly mislabeled as Ficus retusa , that species refers to another plant not used in bonsai. Like other cultivars of this species, it grows somewhat faster and is easier to care for than other bonsai species, making it great for first-timers. Keep it in a sunny, warm location with consistent moisture. More information on Ficus microcarpa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheFicus microcarpa 'Golden Gate'Ficus neriifoliaUlmus x hollandica 'Jacqueline Hillier'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Houseplant; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Irregular; Multi-stemmed; Multi-trunked
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Dark green, teardrop-shaped leaves. Leathery with short, pointed, ridged tips.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Like other Ficus species, the flower is inverted. The reproductive structures are located within the teardrop shape.
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit develops from the same structure the flowers are held in. They start out green and ripen to a reddish shade.
Bark color
Dark Gray; Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Attractive greyish bark.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
tropical and subtropical Asia
Food & Medicine
Uses (ethnobotany)
Has been used as shade tree and, for this reason, is frequently used as an indoor tree and in bonsai.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants; Small Space
Design feature
Specimen
Garden tags
#bonsai #small tree #indoor tree #interiorscape #small spaces #container plant