Ginseng Ficus Bonsai Care

Ficus microcarpa

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Zones 9 to 11, indoor. Ficus microcarpa, the Chinese banyan or Indian laurel fig, grown for a fat, pot-bellied base.

Moraceae (the fig and mulberry family) · Tropical broadleaf evergreen; an indoor bonsai wherever it frosts

At a glance

Type: Tropical
Leaves: Evergreen
USDA zones: 9 to 11
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor-capable
Difficulty: Beginner
Growth rate: Fast
Bonsai popularity: Tier 1

Close-up photo reference

Compare your tree against these to confirm the species and spot problems early.

Close view of Ginseng Ficus bark — **Bark & trunk**, Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us

Ginseng Ficus in flower — **Flower**, Alialb · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ginseng Ficus fruit — **Fruit / seed**, Gmihail at Serbian Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 rs

Ginseng Ficus quick reference

USDA zones	9 to 11 in the ground ^[3]; indoors anywhere colder ^[11]
Indoor / outdoor	Indoor: one of the best indoor species ^[11]; outdoors in summer above 60°F (15°C) ^[11]
Light	Preferably full sun ^[11]; Plantura prefers bright light out of direct sun ^[15]
Water	Water once the soil is slightly dry ^[11]; never let the roots sit in water ^[11]
Soil	A basic bonsai soil mix ^[11] with good drainage ^[3]
Repot	Every 2 to 3 years ^[11] ^[13] ^[15]
Frost	None ^[11]; ficus do poorly below 50°F (10°C) ^[10]
Mature height	40 ft (12 m) or more in the ground; up to 65 ft (20 m) in the tropics ^[3] ^[6]; about 13 ft (4 m) in a container ^[4]
Growth rate	Fast: NC State rates the Ginseng cultivar rapid ^[2]
Season of interest	Evergreen all year ^[13]; the swollen root base ^[2]
Leaf reduction	Not rated by the sources we checked; defoliation reduces leaf size ^[11]
Main risks	Main risks, not ranked by any source: cold ^[10] ^[13], too little light ^[11], root rot from overwatering ^[3]

Overview & Character

A ginseng ficus is Ficus microcarpa, the Chinese banyan ^[3] or Indian laurel fig ^[8], grown for a fat, pot-bellied base ^[11]. NC State lists 'Ginseng' as a cultivar, named for bulbous, thick roots that rise above the soil like a ginseng root ^[2]; no wild species called Ficus ginseng exists ^[14]. The same species with a normal trunk has its own Ficus guide on this site.

How the "ginseng" base is made. The swollen part is root, not stem ^[15]. Jerry Meislik explains that seed-grown Ficus microcarpa varies, and some seedlings inherit a tendency to form large, fleshy, turnip-like roots; growers raise two or more of them above the soil and grow a canopy on top ^[12]. The top is sometimes grafted with branches of a smaller-leaved cultivar ^[2], and The Figs of Borneo describes one plant as a graft of two varieties, one with enlarged roots ^[14].

Names. The trade sells Ficus microcarpa as "Ficus retusa" ^[14], and NC State notes the Ginseng cultivar was previously known by that name ^[2]. Kew accepts Ficus microcarpa ^[1]; the true Ficus retusa is a different species ^[14]. Kew gives the native range as tropical and subtropical Asia to the western Pacific ^[1]. The RHS profile of the Ginseng cultivar names it curtain fig ^[4].

Who it suits. NC State calls it easier to care for than other bonsai species and great for first-timers ^[2], and Bonsai Empire says ficus is the most popular indoor species for beginners ^[11]. Plantura calls it forgiving of cuts into older wood ^[15]. Meislik suggests the best approach may be simply to enjoy the tree's unusual roots ^[12]. Ficus is toxic to pets ^[7] (see Toxicity).

Identification

Foliage. Glossy, dark green, leathery leaves ^[2] ^[4], 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.5 cm) long on the Ginseng cultivar ^[2], with short, pointed tips ^[3].

Bark & trunk. Smooth gray bark ^[3] ^[6] over a base of bulbous, thick roots that rise out of the soil ^[2]. Cuts ooze a milky white latex ^[6].

Growth habit / form. Dense and multi-stemmed, needing 12 in to 3 ft (30 to 90 cm) of space ^[2]. In very high humidity it grows aerial roots ^[11] ^[6].

Flowers / fruit. The flowers are hidden inside the fig ^[3]. The figs are small, about 5/16 in (8 mm) across ^[6], green ripening to reddish ^[3].

Look-alikes & how to tell them apart: The ordinary Ficus microcarpa bonsai sold as "Ficus retusa" ^[14] is the same species without the swollen root base; see our Ficus guide. A ginseng top may be grafted with smaller leaves than the rootstock ^[2], so foliage alone does not identify one.

Climate & USDA Zone

In the ground. NC State lists Ficus microcarpa for USDA zones 9 to 11 ^[3]. Florida lists it as a Category 1 invasive ^[5].

In a pot. It is kept indoors, and the sources set different limits:

Bonsai Empire: outside in summer above 60°F (15°C), or (FAQ) once nights stay above 50°F (10°C) ^[11].
Plantura: outdoors only in midsummer, with nights above 59°F (15°C) and shade from direct sun ^[15].
NC State: above 68°F (20°C) all year, which is why it is sold as a houseplant ^[3].
RHS: H1B, outdoors in summer only, minimum 50 to 59°F (10 to 15°C) ^[4].
Oklahoma State: ficus do poorly below 50°F (10°C) ^[10]; Swindon Bonsai Club warns of high losses below 54°F (12°C) ^[13].

Keep it away from cold drafts and heat sources ^[11]; it does not tolerate temperature swings ^[15].

Light

The sources disagree. Bonsai Empire wants as much light as possible, preferably full sun, within about 3 ft (1 m) of a window ^[11]; NC State lists full sun for the Ginseng cultivar ^[2]. Plantura prefers a bright spot without direct sun ^[15]. In low light the tree weakens, grows larger leaves and may drop them ^[11]. Outdoors in a frost-free area, the RHS gives full sun or partial shade ^[4].

Watering

Water when the surface has dried ^[15]; never let it stand in water ^[11]. Bonsai Empire waters generously whenever the soil gets slightly dry, not by schedule ^[11]. In winter, Oklahoma State lets the pot dry about halfway ^[10]; Swindon Bonsai Club keeps its trees moist but not saturated ^[13]. A cool winter spot needs less ^[11]. Roots sitting in water rot ^[11] ^[3].

The thick, waxy leaves cope with low humidity, but aerial roots need very high humidity ^[11]; NC State recommends 70 to 100 percent ^[2]. Too much misting can cause fungal problems ^[11]; Swindon stands its trees on trays of pumice ^[13].

Soil & Root Care

Bonsai Empire uses a basic bonsai soil mixture ^[11]; NC State lists good drainage ^[3]. No source gives a recipe specific to ginseng ficus.

Repotting: Bonsai Empire says every other year in spring (its FAQ: every 2 to 3 years, early spring) ^[11]. Swindon repots every 2 to 3 years in early summer, removing less than a third of the roots ^[13]. Ficus tolerates root pruning very well ^[11].

Meislik turns the large fleshy roots parallel to the surface and buries most of them, leaving part exposed ^[12]. Cutting them off does not help: the fine roots thicken and recreate the shape ^[12].

Feeding

Bonsai Empire feeds every two weeks in summer and every four weeks in winter if growth continues ^[11]. Plantura feeds weekly or every two weeks in the growing season and monthly in winter ^[15]. Swindon gives dilute liquid feed at each watering plus slow-release fertilizer, and stops for 2 to 3 months a year ^[13].

Pruning & Styling

Bonsai Empire lets a shoot grow 6 to 8 leaves, then cuts back to 2 ^[11]; Plantura halves a shoot by eight new leaves ^[15]. Swindon cuts with scissors rather than pinching, because ficus bleeds white sap ^[13].

Defoliation reduces leaf size ^[11]; a healthy tree regrows within 2 weeks and has a full set of leaves in 4 to 6 weeks ^[13]. Defoliate only a vigorous, healthy tree during active growth ^[13]; no source gives a month.

Bonsai Empire wires thin branches but checks often, since wire cuts into ficus bark quickly, and guy-wires strong ones ^[11]. Swindon tends not to wire, because its trees were marked, and uses guy strings ^[13]. Ficus parts fuse when pressed together, allowing approach grafts ^[11].

Seasonal Calendar

Spring: Repot if due, every 2 to 3 years, early spring per Bonsai Empire ^[11]; air layer in April or May ^[11].
Summer: Outdoors while temperatures stay above 60°F (15°C) ^[11]; feed every two weeks ^[11]; Swindon repots now ^[13]; take cuttings in midsummer ^[11].
Autumn: Bring it in before nights fall below 50°F (10°C) ^[11]; allow four to six weeks to adjust ^[10].
Winter: The brightest spot indoors, with plant lamps for 12 to 14 hours a day on a weakened tree ^[11]; water less in a cool room ^[11]; feed every four weeks only if it keeps growing ^[11].

Care calendar by month

Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, shift every month by six.

Repot and root-prune: April to June
Prune, wire and shape: April to August
Feed: April to September
Air-layer or take cuttings: May to July

Propagation & Cuttings

Ease: Easy from cuttings ^[3]. Best methods: cuttings ^[2] ^[3] and air layering ^[11] ^[13]; the RHS adds seed and leaf-bud cuttings ^[4].

Cuttings root easily in water, sand or potting soil ^[3], best in midsummer ^[11]. Air layer in April or May ^[11]; figs root readily into sphagnum moss in a plastic bag ^[13]. Sow seed in spring ^[11].

The swollen base comes from seedlings that inherit a tendency to form fleshy roots ^[12]; no source we checked says a cutting will form one. Plantura describes small plants being cut just above the root at about ten years old and grafted with a new shoot ^[15].

Pests

NC State lists aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects ^[3], plus Cuban laurel thrips, banded greenhouse thrips and fern scale for the Ginseng cultivar ^[2]; the RHS adds thrips under glass ^[4]. Bonsai Empire finds figs quite resistant ^[11], and Plantura calls infestation rare ^[15].

Sticky leaves usually signal soft scale; mealybugs carry a white, powdery coating; spider mites leave webbing and stippled leaves ^[9]. Cuban laurel thrips fold Ficus microcarpa leaves into galls with dark brown, reddish or purplish scarring ^[8]; the damage is mostly cosmetic, so prune off infested tips, or use a systemic insecticide ^[8].

Disease, Fungus & Infection

Root rot from overwatering, leaf spot and gray mold can occur ^[3]; the RHS adds honey fungus ^[4]. Sooty mold grows on honeydew from heavy mealybug infestations ^[9].

Leaf drop is usually stress: too little light, overwatering or underwatering ^[11]. A tree brought indoors in autumn drops some leaves and takes four to six weeks to adjust ^[10]. Ficus shed a few leaves all year while keeping most ^[13].

Most Common Causes of Death

No source we checked ranks these. They are the main risks the sources describe, in no particular order:

Cold, below 50°F (10°C) ^[10] or 54°F (12°C) ^[13].
Too little light indoors ^[11].
Overwatering and root rot ^[3] ^[11].
Drying out, a common cause of leaf drop ^[11].
Sudden changes and drafts ^[11] ^[15].

Toxicity, Safety & Handling

The ASPCA lists Ficus species as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the toxic principles are the enzyme ficin and the psoralen ficusin ^[7]. The RHS lists the Ginseng cultivar as a skin allergen and advises gloves when handling it ^[4]. Plantura says all parts are poisonous and warns that the white sap can irritate skin ^[15].

Sources

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