Ficus is a beautiful evergreen plant, in natural conditions often reaching the size of a tree. There are thousands of species of this ornamental culture. However, not all ficuses can be grown in an apartment. To date, only a few varieties of this plant have been domesticated. Below we will consider the most popular forms and varieties of ficuses (with photo).
In appearance, indoor plants of this variety can vary significantly. Therefore, flower lovers will not be difficult to choose for themselves the most suitable version of such a decorative culture. There are actually quite a few varieties of ficuses and their forms.
Main varieties
Since the ficus is a very popular houseplant, breeders, of course, paid a lot of attention to it. Most varieties of this plant have a spectacular, original and attractive appearance. Ficus varieties of variegated varieties, classic, with elongated leaves, etc. can be bred at room conditions
The most popular varieties of this culture among indoor plant lovers are:
- Ficus Benjamin;
- deltoid;
- dwarf;
- Microcarp;
- rubber;
- Bengali;
- religious.
With proper care in the interior, tall, low, dense, variegated ficus varieties will look just fine. And all of them, of course, will become a real decoration of the apartment. Fans of home plants choose specific varieties of ficuses, depending on the degree of their whimsicality, the size of the room, etc. In any case, for this culture, you will need to choose the right location in the room, and subsequently water, fertilize and replant it in time.
Ficus Benjamin: general description
This variety is the most popular today. This ficus looks really spectacular. In the wild, this plant can reach a height of 30 meters. Indoor varieties of ficus Benjamin are also quite sprawling. Their leaves alone can grow up to 10 cm in length.
The height of Benjamin's ficus in room conditions often reaches 1.5 m. A feature of this plant, among other things, is that its leaves are slightly lowered down. Because of this, Benjamin's ficus is sometimes called the "weeping tree". The leaves of this plant can be colored in different ways, depending on the variety. But practically always they have a colorful color.
Main varieties
Varieties of this popular form have been bred by breeders a lot. In most cases, indoor plant loversgrow ficus Benjamin varieties in their apartments:
- Curly.
- Exotic.
- Starlight.
- Kinky.
Ficus Kurli is a not too tall plant with very light leaves. A feature of this variety, among other things, is that it grows rather slowly.
Ficus Exotica is popular with indoor flower lovers primarily due to its unpretentiousness. The leaves of this variety can reach a length of up to 6 cm. They have a pale green color.
A feature of the Kinki ficus variety is, first of all, the spherical shape of its crown. As it develops, this plant turns into a small tree. The leaves of this variety are green with a beige border. They are about 4 cm long.
The Starlight variegated ficus is one of the slow growing varieties. This form is considered very well suited for growing, including in small areas. The leaves of this ficus combine two shades - dark and light green with blue. Thanks to this color of the crown, this variety looks very attractive in the interior.
Features of care
Photos of varieties of ficus Benjamin are presented on the page above. The very first photo is the Starlight variety. These plants look, as you can see, really impressive. However, such ficuses will look beautiful, of course, only if they are properly cared for.them.
One of the features of this form is a very well developed root system. Accordingly, pots for all such varieties need to be selected sufficiently voluminous.
In the wild, Benjamin variegated ficus grows in good light conditions. Therefore, placing this plant at home in the shade is highly discouraged. Without light, this ficus will lose the weight of its external gloss, will grow slowly and become unattractive.
When choosing the location of such a plant, among other things, it should be borne in mind that direct sunlight should not fall on its leaves. Otherwise, the plant will get burned and start to turn yellow.
Like many other types and varieties of ficuses, this form is very fond of water. However, of course, one should not arrange a swamp in a pot with Benjamin's ficus. This crop is watered in summer once every 4-5 days, in winter - once every 10 days.
Fertilize the ficus of this variety in the spring with a frequency of a month, in the summer - 1 time in 2 weeks. In this case, organic matter is usually used as top dressing.
Deltoid shape
Description of Benjamin's ficus varieties and technology for caring for such plants were discussed above. This form of plants is indeed the most popular among lovers of indoor crops. But of course, other varieties of ficuses are also grown in apartments today.
For example, quite often deltoid plants of this group are used as decoration in interiors. This form was brought to Russia from Southeast Asia. Among the people because of the fruitscharacteristic species, this culture is also called "ficus mistletoe". In the wild, this plant usually grows to about 7 meters in length.
The leaves of this ficus are similar in shape to the Greek letter "delta". Hence the official name of this variety. In room conditions, the height of the deltoid ficus usually does not exceed 90 cm. A distinctive feature of this variety is, among other things, a rough gray bark.
The leaves of this ficus are green on the outside and yellow on the bottom. In length, they can reach 8 cm. The features of the deltoid ficus include, among other things, its high growth rate. During the year, the length of the stem of this plant can increase up to 25 cm.
Deltoid varieties
Ficuses of this variety are very popular among fans of indoor plants. And of course, breeders did not ignore this culture. The most popular varieties of deltoid ficus are:
- Reginald.
- Twilight.
How to care
Like Benjamin's ficus, the deltoid prefers bright but diffused lighting. This plant is usually watered immediately after the topsoil dries in the pot. Experienced lovers of indoor flowers are advised to wipe the leaves of the deltoid ficus from time to time with a damp cloth. The fact is that they usually accumulate a large amount of dust. In the summer, it is even useful for ficus deltoid to periodically arrange a shower from a watering can.
Feed this plant alternately with organic matter and complex mineral fertilizers. Deltoid ficus is transplanted into larger tubs, usually once every two years.
Ficus dwarf
This variety, as its name already suggests, grows very low. The homeland of the dwarf ficus is China, Japan and Vietnam. In the wild, this crop can grow with equal success both on trees and on the soil.
Despite the fact that this ficus does not grow tall, its leaves are usually of considerable size. In adult plants, they can reach a length of 8 cm. Under indoor conditions, the dwarf variety is usually grown as an ampelous ornamental crop.
The leaves of this ficus are green in color. On the shoot, they are arranged in two rows and partially overlap each other. Therefore, this form looks very "fluffy".
Description of varieties of dwarf ficus
The appearance of this ornamental culture is therefore very attractive. If desired, lovers of indoor flowers can choose, for example, a dwarf ficus variety:
- Sunny.
- Dort.
Also, a rare variety of ficus dwarf Golden Heart is very popular among flower growers.
Ficus Sunny is distinguished primarily by the fact that its not too large leaves have a dark green color and at the same time a light spectacular border. The Dort variety is also popular primarily for its beautiful appearance. dark green leavesof this ficus are covered with golden blotches.
Ficus variety Golden Heart and does have a very unusual and original appearance. The leaves of this plant are yellow. The crown of the Golden Heart variety is very thick and looks unusually impressive.
How to grow
Unlike many of its counterparts, dwarf ficus belongs to the group of shade-tolerant plants. Many varieties of this crop can be grown, including in the back of the room. But still, if there is such an opportunity, it is better to place dwarf ficuses closer to the window.
A feature of this form, among other things, is a very fast growth. Nutrients dwarf ficus require a lot. However, too much fertilizer for this plant is still not recommended. Otherwise, the ficus may shed its leaves. This variety is usually fertilized only in the warm season twice a month with liquid formulations.
Water while dwarf ficus is recommended quite often. In any case, the soil under this potted plant should always remain moist. Such a ficus is transplanted for the first time, usually at the age of 5 years. Further transshipment into larger pots is done as needed.
Features of ficus Microcarp
This beautiful variety has gained popularity among domestic indoor flower lovers relatively recently. A feature of the ficus Microcarp is a smooth trunk and a very lush crown. In nature, this variety can reach a height of up to 25 m. At home, the length of its trunk is usually notexceeds 1.5 m.
The leaves of this ficus are dark green glossy. They have a slightly elongated oval shape and can reach 10 cm in length. One of the features of this variety is the presence of a large number of aerial roots that form bizarre plexuses at the bottom of the trunk. Because of this, Ficus Microcarpa is considered a plant just perfect for bonsai cultivation.
Care Method
Install a tub with ficus Microcarp usually near the east or west window. This variety does not like shadows. But at the same time, the sun's rays should not fall on its leaves.
In the summer, this variety is watered about 1 time in 3-4 days. In winter, the frequency of moistening the soil in a pot is reduced to 1 time per week. Fertilize this plant, like any other ficuses, begin in the spring. Nutrient formulations during the season are brought into the pot at intervals of 1 time in two weeks. At the same time, in most cases, organic matter infused in water or liquid mineral compounds are used as fertilizer.
Since this variety grows quite high even in indoor conditions, it is supposed to be transplanted annually. The size of the pot when performing this procedure is usually increased by 4-5 cm.
Rubber ficus
This variety is notable for the fact that rubber can be made from its juice. Due to the high concentration of rubber in the tissues, this ficus got its name. In the wild, this variety grows mainly only in India and Indonesia. ATheight in the forests of these countries, while it can reach up to 30 m.
In Russia, rubber-bearing ficus or, as it is also called elastica, has been grown since Soviet times. This variety has become almost a symbol of home comfort of those times. There was then a rubber ficus in almost every home. After the appearance of new beautiful exotic plants in the country, the popularity of this ornamental culture has somewhat decreased. However, rubber-bearing ficus, of course, has not completely disappeared from the apartments of lovers of indoor flowers.
One of the distinctive features of this variety is that even indoors it grows very large. The height of rubber-bearing ficuses in room conditions reaches up to 3 m. With proper care, the stem of such a plant can lengthen by 40-50 cm annually.
The leaves of this ficus are very large, dark green. There is a lot of dust on them. And therefore, the leaves of the rubbery ficus should definitely be wiped from time to time.
What varieties exist
Since rubber ficus has been grown as a houseplant for a long time, many varieties of it have been bred. The most popular among lovers of decorative cultures are:
- Belize.
- Melanie.
- Mangrove.
- The Black Prince.
All these varieties of rubbery ficus look simply luxurious. A distinctive feature of ficus Belize is the presence of white and pink streaks along the edges of green leaves. This variety was bredin Holland.
Melanie's elastic ficuses are distinguished primarily by their compactness. This variety does not grow too high in room conditions. The leaves of this ficus are small. But Melanie's crown itself is very thick and looks spectacular.
Ficus variety Black Prince got its name because of the very dark color of the foliage. They are green in this plant, like in any other, of course. But the color of the leaves of this variety are so saturated that they seem almost black.
Features of caring for rubber varieties
Such ficuses are considered a very unpretentious plant. It is recommended to place a tub with a rubber mold near the east window. If desired, this ficus can be placed in partial shade. But in this case, it will grow more slowly, and the lower part of its stem will be bare.
Rubber varieties are usually watered three times a week. At the same time, only water at room temperature settled during the day is used to moisten the soil. Since this variety is very fond of moist air, it, among other things, is supposed to be sprayed periodically.
These ficuses are usually fed twice a month. At the same time, to improve the properties of the earth in pots, only liquid products containing a large amount of nitrogen are used. The use of such compositions will guarantee an attractive appearance of the ficus crown.
In early spring, most rubbery varieties are pruned. When performing this procedure, they usually simply reduce the size of the crown. The top of the plantdo not cut.
Annual transplants are what many tall varieties are known to require. Very often this procedure, for example, lovers of indoor plants have to be carried out with monstera, palm trees, mangroves (mangrove). Varieties of ficus elastic in this regard, of course, are no exception.
Bengal variety
This form of ficus belongs to the group of banyan ornamental crops. These plants, like the rubber-bearing form, are very tall. In the wild, Bengal ficuses can reach a height of 40 m. In room conditions, such a plant can grow to the ceiling in a few years.
The leaves of this ficus are dark green with light veins, very large. In length, they often reach 25 cm. In India, this plant is considered a symbol of eternity. In this country, they are decorated with various kinds of religious buildings. On the horizontal branches of this ficus, powerful aerial roots are formed.
Care
A tub with Bengal ficus is usually placed in the back of a bright, spacious room. A feature of this variety, among other things, is that it is able to develop well even under artificial lighting. It is not necessary to install such a plant near the window.
Another feature of the Bengal ficus is that it does not have a dormant period. That is, water this plant and fertilize it both in winter and summer should be at the same frequency. The soil under the Bengal ficus is usually moistened not too often. Such a plant is watered after the layer of earth in the pot under it dries out for about 2see
Fertilizers under the roots of Bengal ficus are applied at intervals of 2-4 weeks. At the same time, granular formulations are most often used for top dressing.
Bengal ficuses grow very fast. And therefore, they are supposed to be transplanted into large pots and tubs at least once a year. So that the ficus of this variety does not stretch out too quickly, not particularly large containers are most often selected for it. In addition, when transplanting such plants, the roots are usually cut a little.
Religious ficus
This form is also called sacred by indoor plant lovers. In nature, such ficuses grow in India, China, Sri Lanka. A distinctive feature of this variety are strong gray branches. The leaves of this ficus are heart-shaped. In length, they grow small - only up to 12 cm. But this plant itself can stretch in a room up to a height of 3 m.
The color of the leaves of the religious ficus is deep green. Their distinctive feature, among other things, is the presence of a long drop tip. This ficus is called sacred due to the fact that in its homeland it is considered a symbol of Buddha's enlightenment.
Rules of care
You need to install a tub with this ficus near the window. It is best to place this plant in the eastern or western part of the room. At the northern window, the sacred light will not be enough for the ficus. In the southern one, its leaves can be burned by the sun's rays.
Watering ficus sacred relies quite often. The leaves of this variety are verylarge and evaporation from them is intense. Moisten the soil under the sacred ficuses, usually immediately after the top layer of the earth in the pot has dried.
Fertilize this plant from early spring to September. At the same time, complex mineral compositions with nitrogen and potassium are used as top dressing for it. Fertilize under sacred ficuses most often once every two weeks.
Transplant this plant into larger tubs once every 2-3 years. Pots at the same time take 3-4 cm more. Sometimes such ficuses have to be transplanted more often. Under the condition of good illumination, they can grow very intensively and “gain” up to a meter in height in a year. In this case, experienced lovers of indoor plants recommend transplanting to focus on the roots of the culture. If they fill the whole pot, the ficus, of course, needs to be transshipped.
Instead of a conclusion
Varieties and names of ficuses, thus, were considered by us in all details. The plant is actually very popular. And all his forms look just great. Ficuses of almost all varieties are placed at the eastern windows. Only some plants are allowed to be kept in the back of the room.
In any case, all varieties and varieties of ficuses require good care. The names and forms of this decorative culture are unusually diverse. But all varieties should, of course, be watered, fertilized and transplanted on time. And then any homemade ficus will grow a lush bright crown and will please the owners for a long time with its luxurious, pleasant and, of course, original look.
