Ficus benjamina - Definition and Overview

Weeping Fig
Scientific classification
Kingdom Plantae Division Magnoliophyta Class Magnoliopsida Order Urticales Family Moraceae Genus: Ficus Species: benjamina
Binomial nomenclature
Ficus benjamina L.

The Weeping Fig or Benjamin's Fig (Ficus benjamina) is a species of fig tree, native to south and southeast Asia south to northern Australia. It is the official tree of Bangkok, Thailand. It is a tree reaching 30 m tall in natural conditions, with gracefully drooping branchlets and glossy leaves 6-13 cm long, oval with an acuminate tip.

Cultivation

The Weeping Fig is a very popular house plant in temperate areas, due to its elegant growth and tolerance of poor growing conditions; it does best under bright, sunny conditions but will also tolerate considerable shade. It requires a moderate amount of watering in summer, and only enough to keep it from drying out in the winter. It does well if misted from time to time. The plant is sensitive to cold and should be protected from strong drafts. When grown indoors, it can grow to 5 m (16 ft) in height, and about 2 m (6 ft) in width.

There are numerous cultivars available (e.g. Danielle, Naomi, Exotia, and Golden King). Some cultivars include different patterns of colouration on the leaves, ranging from light green to dark green, and various forms of white variegation.