The figs: a huge, pantropical genus of trees, shrubs and climbers, and the source of some of the most striking foliage houseplants there are, from the fiddle-leaf fig to the rubber plant. They want more light than most, and they have one famous quirk: they hate being moved. This guide covers the genus; the standout species get their own cards.
Family
Moraceae
Native range
Pantropical
Type
Trees, shrubs & climbers
In cultivation
800+ species + cultivars
Pet safe
No (see Safety)
DifficultyIntermediate. Easy in a bright, stable spot; sulks when moved.
Care at a Glance
Light
Bright; brighter than most, some gentle direct sun welcome.
Water
When the top 1–2 in dries. Never waterlogged.
Humidity
Moderate; average rooms are fine.
Temperature
60–80°F (16–27°C). Above 55°F (13°C); no drafts.
Substrate
Fertile, well-draining potting mix.
Nutrients
Balanced feed monthly in growth.
Habit
Mostly trees and shrubs; a few climb.
Toxicity
Toxic to pets; milky sap irritates skin.
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The Planters' Guild
Field NotesThe genus Ficus
Origin & History
A giant, ancient genus. Ficus is one of the largest genera of woody plants, more than eight hundred species of figs spread across the world's tropics (Plants of the World Online, n.d.). It belongs to the mulberry family, not the aroids, and every part, cut, weeps a milky white latex. The houseplants are the ornamental-leaved figs: fiddle-leaf, rubber plant, weeping fig and their kin.
The famous fig “fruit” is really a hollow, urn-shaped case lined on the inside with tiny flowers, pollinated by specialized fig wasps that crawl in to reach them. It is one of the tightest partnerships in nature, though it is not something a houseplant fig will show you indoors.
What the houseplants do share is a taste for bright light and steady conditions. Give them that and they are handsome, long-lived and largely trouble-free.
Native range of the genus Ficus: pantropical, across the world’s tropics. Source: POWO (n.d.).
Care in Depth
Light. Figs want more light than most foliage houseplants: bright, indirect light at least, with many happy to take some gentle direct sun. The big statement plants, fiddle-leaf and rubber, in particular want a genuinely bright spot. Too little light gives weak, dropping growth.
Water. Let the top inch or two of mix dry, then water thoroughly and let it drain fully; a fig should never sit in water. They are touchy about both extremes, so aim for a steady rhythm rather than long dry spells followed by a flood. Ease off in winter.
Substrate and warmth. Pot in a fertile, well-draining mix in a pot with drainage. Keep them warm, 60 to 80°F (16–27°C), and away from cold drafts, radiators and open winter doors. Wear gloves when pruning: the latex sap is a skin irritant.
They hate change
A fig reads any change in its world, a new spot, a turn away from the window, a cold draft, a shift in watering, as a threat, and it responds by dropping leaves. This is the single most common complaint about figs, and it is rarely fatal. Find it one bright, stable, draft-free spot, settle it in, and then leave it alone; new leaves follow once it trusts the place.
Common Problems & Pests
What you see
Likely cause
What to do
Sudden leaf drop
A change: moved, draft, temperature or water swing
Return to a stable, bright, draft-free spot; wait.
Lower leaves yellowing and dropping
Overwatering or low light
Let it dry; move brighter; steady the routine.
Brown leaf edges
Dry air, or over- or under-watering
Even watering; a little more humidity.
Sticky residue, small bumps
Scale (the classic fig pest)
Wipe down; horticultural oil; repeat.
Fine webbing or cottony tufts
Spider mites or mealybugs
Rinse; insecticidal soap or oil.
Safety
Figs are toxic to cats and dogs, and their milky white latex irritates skin and can trigger a reaction in sensitive people. Chewing the leaves brings on mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting in pets. Keep plants out of reach, and wear gloves when taking cuttings or pruning (ASPCA, n.d.).
The Planters' Guild
The big, veined leaf of a fiddle-leaf fig.