Ficus bonsai, a reference image of the species; there is no photograph of Tiger Bark Ficus itself yet

Tiger Bark Ficus Bonsai Care

Ficus microcarpa 'Tiger Bark'

Zones 12 to 13, indoor. A selected clone of Ficus microcarpa, the Chinese banyan, grown for its bark.

Moraceae (the fig and mulberry family) · Tropical broadleaf evergreen; a cultivar of the Chinese banyan, kept as an indoor bonsai wherever it frosts

A cultivar of Ficus.

At a glance

Type
Tropical
Leaves
Evergreen
USDA zones
12 to 13
Indoor or outdoor
Indoor-capable
Bonsai popularity
Tier 1

Tiger Bark Ficus quick reference

USDA zones12 to 13 in a pot: zone 13's winter lows of 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) stay above the ficus floors of 50 to 60°F (10 to 16°C) [8] [10] [12] [13], zone 12's lows of 50 to 60°F come close to them, so bring it in on colder nights there [17] [18]. In the ground NC State gives 9 to 11 for the species [2] and Plant Addicts 10 to 11 for Tiger Bark [15]; indoors anywhere colder
Indoor / outdoorIndoor wherever it frosts [10]; Plant Addicts says it thrives indoors [15]; outdoors in summer while temperatures stay above 60°F (15°C) [10]
LightAs much as possible [11], preferably full sun [10]; Assiniboine Park suggests bright indirect light or partial shade [9]
WaterWater thoroughly once the surface is slightly dry [10] [15]; never let it stay soggy, or the roots rot [12]
SoilAny well-draining bonsai soil that does not stay wet for days [12]
RepotEvery 2 to 3 years [12] [13]; Bonsai Empire every other year, in spring [10]
FrostNone: keep it away from freezing [14]; bring it in below 55°F (13°C) [12]
Mature height6 to 24 in (15 to 61 cm) as a bonsai, per Plant Addicts [15]; the species reaches 50 to 65 ft (15 to 20 m) in the ground [4] [5]
Growth rateNot rated by the sources we checked; Meislik says it may grow more strongly than the plain Chinese banyan [11]
Season of interestStriped, spotted bark all year [11] [14]; small figs [5] [14]
Leaf reductionNot rated by the sources we checked; defoliation reduces leaf size in ficus [10]
Main risksMain risks, not ranked by any source: root rot from soil kept wet [2] [12]; cold [12] [13]; too little light indoors, which brings leaf drop and pests [10]

Overview & Character

Tiger Bark is a selected clone of Ficus microcarpa, the Chinese banyan [11], grown for its bark: whitish spots and stripes laid over a green to light green-brown trunk [11]. Kew's Plants of the World Online accepts the species name Ficus microcarpa and gives its native range as tropical and subtropical Asia to the western Pacific [1]; Kew's page does not list the cultivar, so its name rests on the bonsai sources [11] [14] [15]. It belongs to the fig family, Moraceae [1].

Jerry Meislik saw the original tree in Taiwan [11] and writes that it was discovered there more than 35 to 40 years ago; it is also called Kingman or Kin Men [12]. Another spelling is Tigerbark [10] [11].

Its care is that of other ficus [11], so most care below cites sources on Ficus microcarpa or ficus generally, and names cultivar sources where used. Bonsai Empire calls ficus in general, not this cultivar, the most popular indoor tree species for people new to bonsai [10]; no source rates how hard Tiger Bark itself is. Wigert's describes Tiger Bark as very hardy, meaning sturdy: the same page says to keep it from freezing [14]. The ASPCA lists Ficus species as toxic to pets (see Toxicity) [7].

Identification

Bark & trunk. The defining feature: whitish spots and stripes on a green to light green-brown background [11]; Meislik's species page describes stripes of white over the background bark color [12]. Dry bark can look almost evenly gray, so Meislik cleans the trunk with a toothbrush and wets it to see the markings [11]. Assiniboine Park describes rough patches from pale beige to reddish brown [9]; Wigert's calls it spotted and gnarly [14].

Foliage. Sources disagree. Wigert's lists tiny chartreuse foliage [14]; Plant Addicts and Assiniboine Park describe small, glossy, dark green leaves [9] [15]. Meislik notes that leaf size, shape and texture vary a great deal [11]. On the species, leaves are leathery and glossy, 1 1/2 to 3 in (4 to 7.5 cm) long [5].

Growth habit / form. Meislik finds it forms aerial roots with relative ease [11]. Wigert's rates it particularly good for banyan-style bonsai [14].

Flowers / fruit. Ornamental figs [14]; on the species they are small, about 5/16 in (8 mm) across, green turning yellow or reddish [5]. Every cut bleeds white latex [5].

Look-alikes & how to tell them apart: Ginseng Ficus is the same species, grown for bulbous, thick roots that look like ginseng [3] and sometimes grafted with a smaller-leaved cultivar [3]; Tiger Bark is known by the pale spots and stripes on its trunk [11]. Plain Ficus microcarpa has smooth gray bark [2] [5]. Seed-grown trees vary in bark and leaf, and Meislik no longer counts some dark brown trees he once called Tigerbark as the true clone [11].

The names are disputed. Chuah, writing on the Bonsai Nut forum, says Kinmen, Tiger Bark, Golden Gate and Kingman all name one cultivar of Ficus microcarpa [16]. NC State lists 'Golden Gate' as its own bonsai cultivar with a gray trunk and small dark green oval leaves, and has no 'Tiger Bark' entry [2]. The Swindon Bonsai Club gives "Tiger bark fig" for Ficus microcarpa 'Retusa' [13], while Bonsai Empire lists Retusa and Tigerbark as separate varieties [10].

Climate & USDA Zone

In the ground. USDA zones 9 to 11 (9a to 11b) is NC State's figure for the species, Ficus microcarpa, growing in the ground, not in a pot [2]. Plant Addicts gives zones 10 to 11 for the Tiger Bark cultivar and does not say whether that means the ground or a pot [15]. The RHS rates the species H1b, outside in summer only [6]. Florida lists it as a Category I invasive [4]. The zones row gives 12 to 13 for a potted tree: USDA zones are bands of the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, 10°F wide [17]; zone 12's band is 50 to 60°F and zone 13's is 60 to 70°F [18], the ones that come near or stay above the ficus sources' floors below.

In a pot. No source gives a cold limit for Tiger Bark itself, and the ficus sources differ:

Light

Meislik gives a Tigerbark as much light as possible [11], with fluorescent lights close to the leaves indoors [12]; Bonsai Empire wants preferably full sun and no shady spot [10]. The cultivar sources differ: a south or west window in bright direct light [15], full or partial sun [14], or bright indirect light or partial shade [9].

Watering

Water when the surface is slightly dry; never let it stay soggy. Water generously once the soil is slightly dry [10] [15]. Meislik lets the surface dry a bit, since roots kept constantly wet rot [12], though his Tigerbark page asks for soil kept moist but never sopping wet for long [11]. In winter, Oklahoma State lets a potted ficus dry about halfway down [8].

Soil & Root Care

Use any well-draining bonsai soil, and avoid one that stays wet for days [12]; Bonsai Empire uses a basic bonsai mix [10].

Repotting timing differs: every two to three years or when roots circle the pot [12]; every other year in spring [10] [15]; every 2 to 3 years in early summer, taking less than a third of the roots [13]. Ficus takes root pruning very well [10], and needs less water for two weeks after [12].

Feeding

Bonsai Empire feeds every two weeks in summer and every four weeks in winter if the tree keeps growing [10]; Plant Addicts gives Tiger Bark much the same schedule at half strength [15]. Meislik feeds weekly at half strength during growth and stops once the tree rests in fall [12].

Pruning & Styling

Let a shoot grow 6 to 8 leaves, then cut it back to 2 [10]. Regular pruning keeps the shape and the foliage dense [15]. Cuts bleed white sap, so the Swindon club prunes with scissors rather than pinching [13]. Defoliate a very healthy tree if leaves need to be smaller [10] [13]; new growth should follow within 2 weeks [13]. No source we checked gives a month for it.

Take care with wire on a tree grown for its bark. Meislik warns that careless wiring scars the bark and the marks can take many years to grow out [12]. Bonsai Empire checks wire often because it cuts in very quickly, and uses guy wires on strong branches [10]; the Swindon club tends not to wire, because fast growth leaves wire marks [13]. Aerial roots form best in high humidity, and established ones can be moved or wired [12]; Wigert's suggests the banyan style [14].

Seasonal Calendar

Care calendar by month

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

Propagation & Cuttings

Ease: Easy from cuttings, for the species [2] [12]. Best methods: stem cuttings [2] [12] and air layering [10] [13].

Cuttings root in water, sand or potting soil [2], at any time of year [10]. Air layers work best in April to May [10] and root easily into sphagnum in a plastic bag [13]. Seedlings vary in leaf and bark [11]. No source we checked covers propagating Tiger Bark itself.

Pests

Meislik names scale as the only common pest on Tigerbark and treats it with dormant oil [11]; for ficus generally he uses 1 tablespoon per gallon on all surfaces, at 5 to 7 day intervals, 4 times [12]. NC State lists aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and scale for the species [2]; the RHS adds thrips under glass [6], which Meislik seldom sees indoors [12].

Disease, Fungus & Infection

Root rot from overwatering, leaf spot and gray mold can affect the species [2]; the RHS adds honey fungus [6]. A ficus brought indoors drops some leaves and takes four to six weeks to adjust [8]; keep it away from drafty doors, windows and heating vents [8].

Most Common Causes of Death

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

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 Ficus microcarpa as a skin allergen and advises gloves when handling it [6]. No source we checked covers the cultivar separately.

Sources

  1. Kew Plants of the World Online: Ficus microcarpa
  2. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Ficus microcarpa
  3. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng'
  4. UF/IFAS Plant Directory: Ficus microcarpa
  5. University of Hawaii CTAHR, Common Forest Trees of Hawaii: Ficus microcarpa
  6. Royal Horticultural Society: Ficus microcarpa
  7. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Weeping Fig
  8. Oklahoma State University Extension: garden column, November 26, 2023
  9. Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Plant Profile: Bonsai Tree, Tiger Bark Ficus
  10. Bonsai Empire: Ficus Bonsai care
  11. Jerry Meislik: Tigerbark Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa 'Tigerbark')
  12. Jerry Meislik: Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa)
  13. Swindon Bonsai Club: Ficus as bonsai
  14. Wigert's Bonsai: Ficus Microcarpa 'Tiger Bark', Bonsai Tree
  15. Plant Addicts: Tiger Bark Ficus Bonsai
  16. Bonsai Nut forum, Chuah: The origin of Tiger Bark, Kinmen, Golden Gate and Kingman ficus names
  17. USDA ARS: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  18. The Old Farmer's Almanac: What Are Plant Hardiness Zones?

Where to buy a Tiger Bark Ficus bonsai

We don’t stock Tiger Bark Ficus at the moment. These species need similar care and we have them now, they are the closest match in our catalogue.

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