Ficus retusa, commonly known as Indian Laurel, is an evergreen tree native to the tropical rainforests and moist areas of Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a fast-growing species that can reach up to 10 meters (33 ft) in height with an equal spread, forming a rounded, broad-headed canopy. The smooth, light grey trunk is notable for its size, growing up to 1 meter (3.3 ft) in diameter, and supports the dense foliage. The bark is gray to reddish with small, horizontal lenticels that facilitate gas exchange. Indian Laurel produces small, inconspicuous flowers followed by small fruits that are rarely seen in cultivation.

Indian Laurel is valued for its dense, glossy foliage and its ability to thrive in urban environments due to its tolerance of pollution and poor soil conditions. It is often used as a shade tree, in hedges, and as a topiary specimen in landscapes. This species prefers part shade but can adapt to full sun in cooler climates. It requires low to medium amounts of water and does well in soils with medium drainage. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to pests such as scale insects and mealybugs. Indian Laurel is also known for its use in bonsai due to its ability to form interesting trunk shapes and its tolerance for pruning.CC BY-SA 4.0