Ficus is the most popular indoor flower. The ease of care and cultivation, the huge number of varieties and the ability to give an interesting look to the crown of a small evergreen "tree" in the house made this beautiful plant a true favorite of many gardeners.
Types of ficus and the variety of their varieties
In the wild, there are more than 1 thousand plant species from the genus Ficus, which are members of the Mulberry family. They are distributed mainly in the tropics of Africa, on the Mediterranean and Pacific islands. At the same time, about 20 species of ficus are most often grown in the house.
In the natural environment of growth, some varieties have inflorescences in the form of clusters or tassels, which bloom in flowers that are not particularly attractive. At home, flowering ficus is almost never found.
Leaflets are the main attractive part of this tropical plant. They can be of various shapes and colors, depending on the variety. Below are the main varieties and their photos with a description of the features of the appearance.
Ficus Benjamin (Brilliant)
The plant native to the tropical forests of South America and Australia in nature has the appearance of a large (up to 30 m in height) tree with thin branches. At home, this giant is characterized by slow growth and over a decade, with proper care, it can add a little more than a meter in growth. With a longer life span, the plant in the house can reach 2-3 m.
The leaves of this ficus variety are small, glossy, almost oval in shape. Benjamin's homemade ficus attracts gardeners with the possibility of forming a bizarre shape of his crown and creating an unusual interweaving of trunks.
If several sprouts are planted nearby, then due to their close proximity during growth they are interestingly intertwined, which gives the plant a magical look. It is from this variety that with a certain care you can get the original ficus bonsai. It is best to choose for such "experiments" "Viandi", which has an increased tendency to bend shoots.
“Carly” is distinguished by its decorative appeal. It has interestingly elongated leaves with white dots. "Monique" also has variegated leaves wavy along the edge.
In the photo: grade Natasha
Ficus Benjamina Natasha - a hybrid variety that is slowly growing, but has a picturesque green crown. “Kinki” attracts with an unusual “ragged” snow-white or cream bordering of the leaves pointed at the edges.
Kinky
The most unusual and most attractive variety of this species is white ficus. The presence of extensive snow-white blotches on the emerald surface of the leaves made him a favorite of flower growers. It was the white color that gave him the glory of one of the most elegant and beautiful varieties.
Its popular varieties are De Dumbbell (almost white leaves with green patches), Salt and Pepper (a more saturated emerald hue prevails), Irene (the shape of the leaves that curl inward is interesting).
Ali
It is also known as ficus loosestrife for the characteristic shape of the leaves. A tree-like plant that resembles a willow in miniature, native to South Asia, grows up to 1.5 m in room conditions. This is one of the most popular species. The flower is very thermophilic and can wither even from the slightest draft. It is also possible to form a bonsai from it.
Amstel queen
Its varieties Amstel Queen with wide leaves and Amstel Gold with the most effective colorful leaves with a prevailing light green hue are popular.
Elastic
Elastic Robusta
This rubbery ficus originates from the Indian-Indonesian open spaces, where it grows to real giant trees. Their trunk in girth reaches 2 m, and numerous aerial roots create impenetrable thickets. For Buddhists, such a tree is considered sacred.
The home plant is much smaller, reaches only 2 meters in height, but differs in a dense crown. This is an ideal view for growing in a pot. In the USSR, the rubber ficus on the window could easily turn its owner almost into an enemy of the people, since it was considered a sign of bourgeois life.
Robusta is a variety that is recognized as the best for growing in the house. He has a beautiful bright green crown and large leathery leaves.
Also attracted by flower growers is the "Black Prince", which has very dark foliage, which gave such a name. Tineke attracts the eyes with olive dots on the edges of the leaves.
Melanie is one of the least tall representatives of the Elastic varieties. Its height is 40-60 cm. Dark green leaves (initially they are red-brown in color) in the plant are pointed along the edge and are distinguished by a glossy shine. White juice sometimes stands out on their surface, so it is not suitable for people prone to allergies.
Ficus Bengali
This plant is native to India and Bangladesh. There it is called banyan tree and is famous for its vast thickets of several hectares. It is thanks to the natural flexibility of the trunk and roots that this species is ideal for creating bonsai. Homemade bushes can grow up to 2 m. The most popular variety is Audrey.
Deltoid or variegated ficus
It is found in nature in Indonesia and Malaysia, where it rises 4 m high. At home, this is a slow-growing species, its growth does not exceed 1 m. It differs by gracefully curly branches. He owes his name to the shape of leaves like triangles, which at the same time has different sizes. They are painted bright green and dotted with small white dots. Its most attractive variety is Golden Leaves.
Lyrata (lyre)
A fairly dimensional indoor ficus, which is suitable only for growing in large and spacious rooms. Most often decorates offices. Lyrata grows up to 3 m, and in the wild - up to 12 m. The original look is given to large (up to half a meter) green leaves with pronounced veins and a waxy coating. They are collected in the form of an inverted violin and directed upwards. Therefore, sometimes the name is treble clef. At home, it usually grows as a single trunk, releasing branches by 4-5 years of life.
By the way, most-beauty.ru already wrote interesting material with a lot of photos about the most beautiful indoor plants in the world.
Pumila
An oriental variety found in nature in China and Vietnam. This is a dwarf lianike ficus with graceful thin branches densely dotted with small oval-shaped leaves wavy along the edge. Breeders have deduced many of its variations, among which the most popular Pumila White Sunny with a beautiful white edging of leaves.
Ficus Krishna
It has a funnel-shaped leaf. According to legend, Krishna himself drank water from such a natural “glass”. In the shade, the plant quickly withers, and it is also undesirable to rearrange the pot with it often.
Reed
View native to the African tropics. It has attractive glossy foliage and grows best near a vertical support. So that he does not chach, it is advisable to put the pot with him away from direct sunlight.
Montana (mountain)
Creeping bush, which in the wild grows on tea plantations and is considered a weed. But in the houses he became a welcome guest and is cultivated as an ampel plant. It is attractive with leaves reminiscent of oak, and slightly pubescent colorful fruits - from red color to the original mottled coloring in speck.
Microcarpa
This species is native to Asia and is a real giant in its homeland, reaching a height of 25 m. It grows up to 1.5 m in room conditions. It is distinguished by a wide dense crown with numerous, curved along the edge, bright green leaves with a glossy sheen. But its most characteristic feature is bizarre roots sticking out of the ground, because of which it is very reminiscent of a mandrake. His most popular variety is Ginseng.
Ficus Bonsai
Benjamin varieties are best suited for these purposes. Almost all of them are ideal for the formation of bonsai. The growing technology is standard and is also suitable for other species of this plant (for example, dwarf).
Wide but low depleted containers are used for landing. 2-3 times a year, you need to trim the crown and roots of the plant, planting it in the same soil. Of particular importance is the formation of the shape of the trunk and branches. To obtain subsequently the original bonsai, they are wrapped with copper wire, giving the desired bend.
After such procedures, after 5 years it will already be possible to admire an interesting dwarf tree. It can take much more years to get more complex configurations.
Signs and superstitions
Is it possible to keep ficus at home - a question that worries many who wish to purchase this plant. If you do not start from superstitions, but pay attention to the useful properties of a flower, then you should definitely find a place for it. Ficus is able to purify the air of harmful substances, so the house will play the role of not only a stylish phytodesign, but also a natural cleaner.
If you believe the signs, the green guest from the tropics is able to bring prosperity to the house. Ficus grown as a bonsai in the East is considered a symbol of wealth. It is argued that if the plant withers, then financial problems may arise. Received a sprout of this plant for a woman promises an early pregnancy.
But not all signs regarding ficus are so friendly. Among the Slavs, this plant initially had extremely negative symbolism. It was believed that his presence in the house would contribute to scandals and squabbles literally out of the blue. Also, along with ivy, the ficus plant was endowed with an aureole of a husbandine flower, i.e. it was not recommended to acquire unmarried women.
What interpretation to adhere to and what signs to believe - you decide. But the use of ficus in cleaning the room (especially the kitchen) with the absorption of harmful substances is scientifically proven and is not associated with any superstitions.
If you choose this plant as a gift, then it is better to stay on a bonsai. According to Feng Shui, such a flower has extremely positive symbolism associated with attracting wealth and good luck.
Unusual creativity
Ficuses in painting have not received such popularity as most flowering plants. But they found an interesting application in art. The Indian painter Sandesh Rangnekar uses the dried leaves of the sacred Bodhi tree (one of the varieties of ficus) as a canvas for his masterpieces. He adopted this unusual art from his father.
Painting of the Indian artist on an unusual “canvas” impresses with the incredible realism of the images. Forty days are spent on preparing skeletonized leaves, after which a drawing or brush can be applied to them with a brush or fingers.
Sandesh's work is simply mesmerizing. On ficus leaves, he depicts both traditionally Buddhist (God Ganesha and other characters of myths), as well as Western European plots. What is a realistic portrait of Michael Jackson, the Queen of England or a copy of Mona Lisa!
Summarize
As you can see, ficus is an amazing plant, characterized by an impressive variety and possessing a dual nature. In the wild, it has one appearance, in houses it is different, and can also take many different forms, transforming into original bonsai. This is the only reason why you should pay attention to this unique plant and acquire it in spite of all the negative signs.
Posted by skywriter13