Ficus

Robuuste Ficus planten

Ficus, also known as fiddle leaf plant, is a trendy must-have for any plant lover! With its versatile, contemporary look, Ficus adds a touch of style to any interior. What makes these plants truly unique is their robust nature and minimal need for care.

Where does Ficus originally come from?

Ficus, also known as fiddle leaf plant, is a true world traveller among plants. In the sunny Mediterranean region, Ficus Carica, better known as the fig tree, flaunts itself. For thousands of years, its juicy fruits have been cherished by humans and animals alike, making it an indispensable part of the local culinary tradition. Travelling further east, you will come across the Ficus Elastica, also known as the Rubber Tree. For centuries, this tree was the source of rubber production, playing an important role in the industrial revolution. The Ficus Lyrata is a cool plant for the living room. Originating from the lush rainforests of West Africa, these houseplants bring true Jungle vibes into your home.

Is Ficus air-purifying?

This green hero does more than just brighten up your interior! The ficus leaf plant is known for its powerful air-purifying properties. It captures pollutants from the air, making it the ideal companion for a fresh and healthy living environment. So when you bring a Ficus into your home, you not only get a trendy housemate, but also a natural air purifier!

Is a Ficus toxic to pets?

An important note when caring for Ficus is that this plant is unfortunately toxic. It is important to be careful, especially if you have small children or pets. Ficus' juices can be released especially during pruning and are toxic if swallowed. When touched, irritation on the skin can occur. Therefore, it is wise to ensure that children and pets cannot reach or eat Ficus leaves.

How big does a Ficus grow?

The size of a Ficus can vary greatly, depending on the specific species and growing conditions. When a Ficus is kept as a houseplant, it can vary in size. In general, we maintain a growth of about 40cm per year. Of course, this depends on factors such as pot size, care and growing conditions.

Different types of Ficus plants

Ficus is a real trendy houseplant! Ficus is characterised by its trendy colour combinations and minimalist character. The ficus leaf plant is available in many different sizes. So you can choose plants in different sizes.

Ficus Lyrata

Let's start right away with the most famous one in our range, the Ficus Lyrata. Originally from West Africa, this Ficus has found its way into homes and offices all over the world. The Lyrata is characterised by its large, green leaves and sturdy trunk. Incidentally, Ficus Lyrata is also available branched and as a shrub.

Ficus Benghalensis Audrey

Ficus Benghalensis Audrey is a beautiful variety within the Ficus family. Native to India and parts of Southeast Asia, this Ficus is known for its light green leaves with white seams. The leaves are somewhat smaller than the Ficus Lyrata leaves.

Ficus Elastica Robusta

Until the ^20th century, this Ficus served as a major source for rubber production, releasing a type of latex when a leaf is broken. The leaves of Ficus Elastica are deep dark green in colour and have a surprising twist - a pink seam that contrasts sharply with the green. This pink underside becomes visible when the leaves grow rolled up as a point, which often leads to confusion and makes people think they are seeing flowers.

Ficus Nitida

Ficus Nitida is a plant with a truly luxurious look. With its lush leaves and robust trunk, this plant is more than just another houseplant - it's a real room tree! The small leaves contrast beautifully with the sturdy trunk, giving Ficus Nitida an elegant and large appearance. It is therefore no surprise that this plant is a much-loved addition to countless interiors.

Caring for a Ficus plant

Do you want to take optimum care of your Ficus? Then take a moment to go through our handy tips for the best Ficus care. By watering regularly and making sure the soil does not dry out completely, you will lay a solid foundation for a thriving relationship between you and your Ficus. With a little care, your Ficus will shine and beautify your living room with its beautiful leaves.

Watering a Ficus

Although the rubber plant does not need much care, regular watering is essential to keep it healthy. In general, watering once a week is enough; in any case, the soil should always remain slightly moist. In doubt whether your fiddle leaf plant needs water? Then stick your finger into the soil around the Ficus. If the soil feels dry, it is time to water. Do you still feel a lot of humidity? Then wait a while before watering to avoid excess, as this can cause the roots to rot. Of course, we don't want waterlogging for our Ficus! Has the plant been repotted? Then feeling with your fingers is no longer enough and it is important to use a moisture meter!

The optimum location for Ficus

A suitable location for your Ficus is important to promote healthy growth. This plant craves light, so it is wise to place your rubber plant near a window so it can enjoy plenty of sunlight. As for Ficus Elastica, give it time to get used to its new environment. Otherwise, you risk burning your rubber plant under the merciless rays of the sun.

Feeding the Rubber Plant

Feeding your Ficus is not an everyday task. In winter, the rubber plant does not need any extra nutrition at all because it is dormant then. Even in the early stages, the Ficus does not need additional nutrition as it can draw from the nutrients in the potting soil for two months. But when spring arrives and the summer sun starts shining, you might consider giving your Ficus some extra plant nutrition to stimulate growth. However, be careful! It is crucial not to overdose the rubber plant with nutrition. Too much nutrition can be harmful to the plant. Follow the instructions on the packaging carefully. That way, your Ficus will stay healthy and happy!

Repot Ficus

Is your Ficus' old pot worn out, or does it look like the rubber plant is almost out of shape? Then it's time for a new pot! The best time to repot your Ficus is in spring. During this period, the plant has more energy to repair any damage and adapt to its new environment. After repotting, your Ficus will often grow faster. This is because the plant gets more room for new roots. Make sure the new pot is at least 20% bigger than the old pot so that the Ficus has enough room to thrive. Moreover, it is advisable to move the Ficus to a larger pot once every two years. This way, the rubber plant can grow bigger naturally and reach its full potential!

How to propagate a Ficus?

Are you considering cutting your Ficus? Good news: propagating a fiddle leaf plant is surprisingly easy! However, it is best to do this only in spring, when both the cuttings and the mother plant have extra energy to grow and recover. When taking cuttings, the first thing you do is carefully remove a head cutting from the mother plant. Note that there are toxic juices that can be released during this process. Next, place the head cutting of the rubber plant in a pot filled with a mixture of peat and sand in which the Ficus can easily root. Make sure the Ficus cutting is in a warm and sunny environment, as this will promote growth. Keep in mind to keep an eye on the soil with a moisture meter! With these simple steps, you can enjoy new Ficus plants in no time and expand your collection with greenery you have grown yourself!

Pruning the rubber plant

To keep your Ficus in top condition, it is essential to remove unsightly or dead leaves every now and then. The rubber plant may drop its leaves if it receives too little light or after moving to another location. Also note that excessive watering can lead to leaf loss, so be careful with this! Of course, this does not always have to be the case and can simply be old leaves. Carefully cut or trim the leaves with a sharp knife or scissors. It is advisable to use gloves when doing this. The sap that is released is toxic and can be irritating to the skin.

What to do with Ficus with discoloured leaves?

If you notice that your Ficus starts to lose a lot of leaves, it is advisable to move the plant closer to the window and only water it when the soil feels really dry. In addition, brown leaves on Ficus can often indicate watering problems: too much or too little water. Occasional yellow leaves are normal, but if your rubber plant has a lot of yellow leaves, this could indicate a lack of nutrients in the soil or too much water. In doubt about the health of your Ficus? Then don't hesitate to contact our customer service team. We will be happy to look into the possible cause with you and help you on your way with tips and advice.

Ficus diseases and pests

Unfortunately, even the tough Ficus plant can get sick sometimes. A common problem is that Ficus may suffer from unwanted visitors on its leaves, such as lice. These little pests produce a sticky substance that not only sticks to the Ficus leaves, but sometimes even ends up on the floor. Of course, prevention is better than cure! A smart move is to spray your rubber plant regularly during the warmer months . This will keep the lice at bay and prevent them from settling on the leaves of your beloved houseplant. With a little preventive care, your Ficus will stay healthy and happy, ready to beautify your space with its lush greenery!

Ordering Ficus plants at Green Bubble

Looking for a trendy Ficus for your interior? Then you've come to the right place at Green Bubble! At Green Bubble we strive every day to deliver only the very best plants. Our Ficus come straight from the grower, so you're always assured of fresh, green showpieces. For us, customer satisfaction and the health of our plants is paramount. Don't feel like going out and lugging plants around? No problem! You can easily order all your houseplants online from us. So ordering a Ficus is a piece of cake at Green Bubble. And the best news? If you order a Ficus today, you'll have it home in no time!
At Green Bubble, we stand for ease of ordering and beautiful houseplants. So, would you like to decorate your interior with a trendy Ficus? Join Green Bubble!