# Ginseng ficus (Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng')

Canonical: https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-ginseng · Updated: 2026-10-07
Source: Plant Guide (https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-ginseng)

Ginseng ficus · also called Ficus ginseng bonsai, Chinese banyan, Banyan bonsai  
indoor · exotic · family Moraceae · grows 0.2–0.9 m tall, 0.15–0.6 m wide · moderate growth  
sun to part shade · moderate water need  
Ratings for Dubai (1–5, 5 is best): heat 2 · salt 2 · drought 2 · shade 2 · ease of care 3  
Sow or plant: Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov  
Uses: indoor, container, specimen

The miniature tree sold across Dubai as a starter bonsai: a swollen trunk base and glossy small leaves. It wants steady bright light and no draughts. Treat as toxic to pets, and wear gloves, as the sap irritates skin.

## About

Meet the ginseng ficus, the miniature tree that Dubai shops sell as a starter bonsai. It is a form of *Ficus microcarpa*, the Chinese banyan, the same species that grows outdoors across Dubai as a dense green hedge, [Ficus Nitida](https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-nitida.md). The look comes from a thick, swollen trunk base with a crown of small, glossy leaves above it, which the RHS describes as giving a miniature tree appearance.

As a houseplant it wants a steady room. The RHS asks for bright indirect light, an even temperature without big swings, and no draughts, and notes that weeping figs, close relatives, dislike being moved once they are settled, a caution that applies here too. In a Dubai home that means choosing one good spot: a console beside an east-facing window, a bright hallway, a living room table that gets daylight but not hot sun, and then leaving it there.

The challenge in an air-conditioned flat is the air. The RHS says ornamental figs want medium to high humidity, and NC State says high humidity is preferable for Ficus microcarpa. A small bonsai pot holds little compost and dries quickly, so keep it out of the vent's airflow and check it often. It is not a plant for a home with a pet that chews leaves: the sap irritates skin and the genus is listed as toxic.

Ginseng ficus (*Ficus microcarpa* 'Ginseng') is a tropical evergreen fig grown for its swollen, root-like trunk base and small, dark, glossy leaves. NC State lists 'Ginseng' among the cultivars popular for bonsai, and the RHS says *Ficus microcarpa* can be grown as a bonsai and that stems may be trained into unusual shapes. Outdoors the species becomes a large tree with aerial roots, which is why a plant sold as a 'bonsai' is small and young, and is kept small by pruning.

Give it bright, indirect light: the RHS says some figs tolerate a few morning or evening sun hours, especially in winter, and NC State says the species tolerates full sun or partial shade. Keep it in a warm, even temperature, away from cold draughts. Water frequently in spring and summer with room-temperature water, letting the compost dry slightly in between, and keep it just moist in winter. NC State warns that overwatering causes root rot.

Leaf drop is the main complaint. The RHS says it is usually caused by overwatering, but low winter temperatures, inadequate light, excess fertiliser and cold draughts can all cause it. Feed from spring through late summer with a high-nitrogen fertiliser, repot every two years in spring, and watch for red spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects. Always wear gloves when pruning, because the sticky white sap can irritate skin or aggravate allergies. For a larger fig, see [Weeping fig](https://plantguide.ae/plants/weeping-fig.md) and [Rubber plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/rubber-plant.md).

## Indoors in Dubai

- **Light:** grows well in bright indirect light. Bright, indirect light, with at most a few hours of gentle morning or evening sun (RHS). Behind tinted glass it needs your brightest window; a hot west sill scorches it and dries the pot.
- **Dry air and air conditioning:** tolerance 3 out of 5 (1 = needs humidity help, 5 = indifferent). Medium to high humidity suits it (RHS), so keep it out of the vent's airflow and cold draughts, which drop leaves. Check the shallow pot often, since AC air dries it fast.
- **Pets:** not pet-safe: keep it out of reach of cats and dogs.
- **Size:** tabletop.
- **Rooms:** living room, bedroom, home office, hallway, kitchen.
- **Finding it in Dubai:** common: most garden centres and supermarkets stock it.
- **Outdoors:** never: keep it indoors all year.

## Through the year

A ginseng ficus keeps its leaves all year if it is happy, so its calendar is about growth and watering. From March to October it makes new shoots, which is the time to prune and shape, feed through spring and summer, and repot every two years in spring. In the months when the AC runs all day, check the shallow pot often, and from April to October look under the leaves for spider mites. From December to February the plant rests: keep the compost just moist, and keep it away from cold windows and the vent line at night. October to November and February to April are the months to buy and pot up.

| When | What | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov | Plant: Buy and pot up | Repot every two years in spring. Avoid carrying a plant through summer heat. |
| Mar–Oct | New growth: New shoots | Choose one spot and leave it there, since a move can trigger leaf drop. |
| Mar–Aug | Feed: High-nitrogen feed | The RHS suggests feeding from spring through late summer. |
| Apr–Sep | Prune: Trim and shape | Wear gloves: the white sap irritates skin. |
| Apr–Oct | Pest watch: Check for mites and scale | Look under the leaves for spider mites, mealybugs and scale. |
| Dec–Feb | Dormant: Rest period | Keep the compost just moist and keep it away from cold glass. |

## Care in Dubai

- **Watering in summer:** Water frequently in spring and summer with room-temperature water, letting the compost dry slightly between waterings. A small bonsai pot dries faster than a normal pot, so check it often, and do not let it stand in water.
- **Watering in winter:** Keep the compost just moist from December to February. Overwatering is the usual cause of leaf drop and root rot.
- **While establishing:** After you bring it home, choose one bright spot and leave it there. The RHS says weeping figs dislike being moved, and a relative like this one is best left in place.
- **Soil:** A free-draining, loam-based or houseplant mix with some bark or perlite. NC State asks for high organic matter with good drainage, and the RHS suggests loam-based compost with bark chips.
- **Feeding:** Feed from spring through late summer with a high-nitrogen fertiliser, as the RHS suggests, and skip winter. Flush the pot every four to six months with at least twice its volume of plain water to wash out salts.
- **Pruning:** Trim new shoots in spring and summer to keep the shape, always wearing gloves because the sticky white sap irritates skin. Cuttings root in water or sand, according to NC State.
- **Planting:** Repot every two years in spring into a slightly larger pot with fresh compost, or replace the top 2 cm when repotting is impractical. Buy and pot up in October to November or February to April.
- **Pests and problems:** Spider mites; Mealybugs; Scale insects; Aphids
- **Toxicity:** No ASPCA entry exists for Ficus microcarpa, but the ASPCA lists the Ficus genus as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, naming the enzyme ficin and psoralen (ficusin) compounds, so treat ginseng ficus as toxic to pets. The RHS says the sticky white sap is a skin allergen: wear gloves when pruning.

## Good and bad

**Pros**
- Sculptural miniature tree with a swollen trunk base
- Widely sold in Dubai, from IKEA to garden centres
- Compact enough for a console, shelf or bedside table
- Can be shaped and trained as a bonsai (RHS)
- Roots easily from cuttings (NC State)

**Cons**
- Treat as toxic to pets, and the sap irritates skin
- Prefers medium to high humidity, which AC rooms do not give
- Drops leaves after overwatering, draughts or low light
- Dislikes being moved once settled

## Common mistakes

- Moving it around the flat. The RHS notes that weeping figs dislike relocation, and the same caution applies here, since low light or a draught in a new spot can make leaves drop.
- Watering on a fixed schedule. The RHS says leaf drop is usually caused by overwatering, and NC State warns of root rot, so check the compost first.
- Standing it in the airflow from a vent or near a cold window. The RHS says to keep it in an even temperature, away from draughts.
- Pruning without gloves. The RHS warns that the sticky white sap may irritate skin or aggravate allergies.
- Treating it as pet-safe. The ASPCA has no entry for this species, but it lists the genus as toxic, so keep it out of reach.

## Good to know

- The ASPCA has no entry for *Ficus microcarpa*, but it lists the *Ficus* genus as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, naming ficin and psoralen compounds, so treat ginseng ficus as toxic to pets. The RHS flags the sap as a skin allergen.
- It is the same species as the clipped hedge [Ficus Nitida](https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-nitida.md) seen across Dubai. NC State notes it is considered invasive in many parts of the world, which is not a concern for a potted bonsai indoors.
- 'Ginseng' is a nursery form, grown for the swollen trunk base, not a separate wild plant. The RHS describes it as having a swollen trunk base and small leaves, which gives it a miniature tree look.
- Dubai prices checked on 7 October 2026: from AED 25 for an 8.5 cm pot at IKEA (shown as unavailable for delivery that day), from AED 35 for 20 to 30 cm at Plantsworld, AED 55 for 30 to 35 cm at Acacia Garden Center, and from AED 250 for a 60 to 90 cm tree form.

## Using it in a garden

Roles: Sculptural accent for a console or table, Japandi or minimal living room plant, Bedroom or hallway bonsai, Gift plant that can be trained

A ginseng ficus works as the single sculptural accent in a quiet room: on a console, a low table or a bedroom shelf beside an east-facing window, in a plain stone or matte ceramic pot. It suits a Japandi or minimal style, where one plant with an interesting shape does more than a crowd. Put it where it gets bright, indirect light, away from the vent line and cold draughts, and not on a hot west sill, then leave it there.

- [Snake plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/snake-plant.md): Snake plant's upright stiff leaves give a vertical line beside the ginseng ficus's rounded crown, though snake plant is also toxic to pets.
- [ZZ plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/zz-plant.md): ZZ plant's glossy upright stems balance the ginseng ficus's compact crown in a minimal room, though ZZ plant is toxic to pets.
- [Peperomia](https://plantguide.ae/plants/peperomia.md): A small peperomia on the same table adds a rounded glossy leaf at a lower height, and it is listed as non-toxic, which helps in a home with pets.

## FAQ

**Is ginseng ficus safe for cats and dogs?**  
No, treat it as toxic. The ASPCA has no entry for Ficus microcarpa, but it lists the Ficus genus as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The RHS also warns that the sap is a skin allergen, so keep it out of reach of pets.

**Why is my ginseng ficus dropping leaves?**  
The RHS says leaf drop is usually caused by overwatering, though low winter temperatures, inadequate light, excess fertiliser and cold draughts can also be causes. Moving the plant can trigger it as well, so check the compost, move it away from the vent, and leave it in one bright spot.

**How often should I water a ginseng ficus?**  
Water frequently in spring and summer, letting the compost dry slightly between waterings, and keep it just moist in winter, according to the RHS. A bonsai pot is shallow and dries quickly, so check it with a finger rather than a calendar.

**Does a ginseng ficus need extra humidity in an air-conditioned room?**  
The RHS says ornamental figs want medium to high humidity, so keep it out of the vent's airflow. Misting has little effect unless it is repeated every few minutes, while a humidifier changes the room's humidity, according to University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

**Is a ginseng ficus a real bonsai?**  
It is a form of Ficus microcarpa that the RHS says can be grown and trained as a bonsai. Most shop plants are young and small, and you keep them small by pruning and a small pot. Wear gloves when pruning, because the sap irritates skin.

## Related plants

[Weeping fig](https://plantguide.ae/plants/weeping-fig.md) · [Rubber plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/rubber-plant.md) · [Fiddle-leaf fig](https://plantguide.ae/plants/fiddle-leaf-fig.md) · [Snake plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/snake-plant.md) · [ZZ plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/zz-plant.md) · [Peperomia](https://plantguide.ae/plants/peperomia.md)

## Photos

![Ficus microcarpa L.f., Chinese banyan, habitus; Playa Santiago, La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Ficus_microcarpa_-_La_Gomera_01.jpg)  
Photo: H. Zell / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ficus_microcarpa_-_La_Gomera_01.jpg))

![Ficus microcarpa (habit). Location: Maui, Rainbow Park Baldwin Ave](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Starr_070111-3088_Ficus_microcarpa.jpg)  
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_070111-3088_Ficus_microcarpa.jpg))

![Ficus microcarpa (fruit and leaf). Location: Midway Atoll, Commodore Ave across from barracks Sand Island](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Starr_080601-5190_Ficus_microcarpa.jpg)  
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_080601-5190_Ficus_microcarpa.jpg))

## Sources

- [RHS: How to grow ornamental figs](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/ornamental-figs/growing-guide)
- [RHS: Ficus microcarpa plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/32855/ficus-microcarpa-curtain-fig-chinese-banyan/details)
- [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Ficus microcarpa](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-microcarpa/)
- [ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, Weeping Fig (Ficus sp.)](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/weeping-fig)
- [University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Houseplant humidity](https://lancaster.unl.edu/houseplants-humidity)
- [University of Maryland Extension: Watering indoor plants](https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-indoor-plants)
- [Plantsworld indoor plants (price checked 7 October 2026)](https://plantsworld.ae/collections/indoor-plants)
- [Acacia Garden Center indoor plants (prices checked 7 October 2026)](https://acaciagardencenter.com/collections/indoor-plants)
- [IKEA UAE potted plants (price checked 7 October 2026)](https://www.ikea.com/ae/en/cat/plants-10779/)