Weeping Fig
(Ficus benjamina)
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
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Vijayanrajapuram
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Vijayanrajapuram
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CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo by: Vijayanrajapuram | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Vijayanrajapuram | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Ficus_benjamina-weeping_fig-benjamin_fig_01.jpg | Notes: Uploaded using [[COM:MOA|Commons Mobile App]] |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Ficus benjamina, commonly known as Weeping Fig, is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. It thrives in a warm, humid climate and is often found in varying levels of rainforests, from the lowland tropical forests to the higher sub-tropical regions. This species can reach up to 30 meters (98 feet) tall in its natural habitat, with a wide, spreading canopy that can cover a diameter of 10 meters. The Weeping Fig is characterized by its gracefully drooping branchlets and glossy, dark green leaves that are oval with an acuminate tip, measuring 6–13 cm (2+3⁄8–5+1⁄8 inches) in length. The plant produces small, spherical to egg-shaped, shiny green inflorescences, which contain three types of flowers: male, fertile female, and sterile female.
The Weeping Fig is valued for its elegant growth habit and is often used as a shade tree in parks and along wide roads in tropical climates. Its dense foliage and robust growth make it suitable for urban planting, and it is also a popular indoor plant in temperate regions due to its adaptability to indoor conditions. It requires bright, sunny conditions but can tolerate shade. The plant prefers moderate watering in summer and just enough to prevent drying out in winter. It is sensitive to cold and should be protected from strong drafts. Indoors, it may require pruning to manage its size. Ficus benjamina’s aggressive root system can cause damage to pavements and structures, which is why it is recommended for use as a hedge or clipped screen rather than a tree in residential areas. It is potentially invasive outside its native range and should be planted with caution.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Weeping Fig is valued for its elegant growth habit and is often used as a shade tree in parks and along wide roads in tropical climates. Its dense foliage and robust growth make it suitable for urban planting, and it is also a popular indoor plant in temperate regions due to its adaptability to indoor conditions. It requires bright, sunny conditions but can tolerate shade. The plant prefers moderate watering in summer and just enough to prevent drying out in winter. It is sensitive to cold and should be protected from strong drafts. Indoors, it may require pruning to manage its size. Ficus benjamina’s aggressive root system can cause damage to pavements and structures, which is why it is recommended for use as a hedge or clipped screen rather than a tree in residential areas. It is potentially invasive outside its native range and should be planted with caution.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
- Height: 40-50 feet
- Width: 25-30 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Hedges, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia and Northern Australia
Other Names
Common Names: Benjamin Fig, Ficus Tree, Java Willow, Java Tree, Small-Leaved Fig, Gummibaum, Laurel Benjamin, Java Fig, Benjamin-Tree
Scientific Names: , Ficus benjamina, Ficus nitida, Ficus retusa f. nitida, Ficus nuda, Ficus exotica, Ficus benjamina var. benjamina, Ficus benjamina var. nuda, Ficus cuspidato-caudata, Ficus dictyophylla
GBIF Accepted Name: Ficus benjamina L.