Ficus microcarpa, often sold as Indian laurel fig or ginseng ficus, is a tough evergreen fig with small, glossy oval leaves and a dense, rounded canopy. It is one of the most popular species for bonsai thanks to its thick swollen roots, vigorous growth, and tolerance of pruning. Indoors it adapts to bright light and warm conditions typical of Indian homes, and outdoors it can grow into a large shade tree with aerial roots. Hardy and forgiving, it handles occasional neglect, recovers well from trimming, and makes an excellent long-lived ornamental or bonsai subject.
Specifications
| Family |
Moraceae |
| Native region |
South and Southeast Asia, Australia |
| Mature height |
0.3-1 m as bonsai; large as a tree |
| Mature spread |
0.3-1 m as bonsai |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Evergreen, small glossy oval leaves |
| Flower colour |
Insignificant |
| Flower season |
ā |
| Climate zone |
Tropical to subtropical |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Bright indirect to direct light; tolerates some sun. |
| Watering |
Water when top 2-3 cm dries; keep lightly moist. |
| Soil / mix |
Well-draining mix; bonsai soil for trained plants. |
| Temperature |
16-32 C; protect from cold below 10 C. |
| Humidity |
Moderate to high; mist in dry weather. |
| Fertilizer |
Balanced feed every 2-4 weeks in growing season. |
| Pruning |
Tolerates hard pruning; ideal for bonsai shaping. |
| Repotting |
Every 1-2 years; yearly for bonsai. |
| Propagation |
Cuttings or air layering. |
| Pests & problems |
Scale, mealybugs, spider mites. |
| Toxicity / safety |
Toxic to pets; sap irritates skin. |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
A favourite bonsai species and a hardy indoor or patio ornamental. Outdoors it serves as a shade or screening tree with attractive aerial roots.
Growing tips
It thrives in India's warmth and tolerates bright light well, including some direct sun if acclimated. For bonsai, prune regularly and feed lightly; reduce watering and protect from cold drafts in winter to avoid leaf drop.