# Ficus Panda (Ficus microcarpa 'Panda')

Canonical: https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-panda · Updated: 2026-10-11
Source: Plant Guide (https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-panda)

Ficus Panda  
indoor · exotic · family Moraceae · grows 0.3–2 m tall, 0.2–1 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

## Also known as

- **English:** Panda ficus, Ficus Panda (Ficus retusa), Taiwan ficus, Chinese banyan
- **Botanical synonyms:** *Ficus retusa*, *Ficus retusa var. nitida*, *Ficus microcarpa var. nitida*
- **Arabic (العربية):** تين الستارة (tin al-sitara)
- **Malayalam (മലയാളം):** കല്ലിത്തി (kallithi)
- **Persian (فارسی):** انجیر پرده‌ای (anjir pardeh-i)

A compact ficus with small, rounded, glossy leaves and a bushy crown, sold in Dubai as a table-size tree and as clipped topiary. Same species as the ginseng ficus. Keep it indoors in summer. Toxic to pets.

## About

Meet the Ficus Panda, the ficus Dubai shops sell for its leaves rather than its roots. It is the same species as the [Ficus Ginseng](https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-ginseng.md), *Ficus microcarpa*, but the Panda is bought for a compact, bushy crown of small, rounded, glossy leaves. Growers describe the foliage as rounded, thick and glossy, and Acacia Garden Center describes the plant as a clean single trunk under a spreading canopy. That is why it turns up as a table-size tree in a pot, and as a clipped ball, cone or cage on Dubai patios.

'Panda' is a trade name, not a settled botanical one. The RHS database holds *Ficus* 'Panda' with the name status 'unresolved' and no description, and NC State does not list it among the *Ficus microcarpa* cultivars. Dubai tags often read *Ficus retusa*. NC State says that name is commonly misapplied to bonsai figs, and Acacia's Dubai care guide calls the Panda a trained form of *Ficus microcarpa*, so this page treats it that way.

In a flat it behaves like its relatives. It wants bright, indirect light, an even temperature, one settled spot, and no cold draught from the vent. Where it differs from most houseplant figs is that Dubai shops also sell it as an outdoor patio plant. Do not take that at face value: Acacia warns that UAE summer sun at 45°C and above burns the foliage in days, so a Panda that spent the winter on a balcony needs to be indoors again before the heat peaks.

Ficus Panda is a compact form of *Ficus microcarpa*, the Chinese banyan, an evergreen fig. Outdoors in warm climates the species grows into a large tree with aerial roots: the RHS gives 12 m or more in warm climates and up to 4 m in a container. A Panda stays small because it is young, clipped and potted. Dubai shops sell it as a 30 to 60 cm potted plant, as a 40 to 50 cm plant for a tabletop, and as clipped standards of 1 to 2.5 m in single-head, two- and three-head, cone, ball and cage shapes.

How it differs from the ginseng ficus: same species, different selling point. NC State says 'Ginseng' is used extensively in bonsai for its bulbous, thick roots, and the RHS describes a swollen trunk base. A Panda is bought for its leaves and the shape of its crown, and many are trained as standards or topiary rather than for a swollen base. The line is not sharp. NC State notes that a ginseng is sometimes grafted with branches of a smaller-leaved cultivar, so a small-leaved ginseng can look like a Panda, and some Panda bonsai have thick trunks. Check the label. The [Weeping fig](https://plantguide.ae/plants/weeping-fig.md) is a different species, sold as a larger floor-standing plant.

Give it bright, indirect light. The RHS says ornamental figs take a few hours of morning or evening sun, especially in winter, and Acacia suggests a metre or two back from a south- or east-facing window. Water regularly in spring and summer and let the compost dry slightly between waterings, then keep it just moist in winter (RHS). Leaf drop is the usual complaint. The RHS says overwatering is the most common cause, followed by cold, low light, too much fertiliser and draughts, and moving the plant also triggers it. UF/IFAS advises leaving an indoor ficus alone for about four weeks after it is placed, with no moving, pruning, repotting or feeding. Wear gloves when pruning, because the sticky white sap irritates skin. For other figs, see [Rubber plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/rubber-plant.md).

## Indoors in Dubai

- **Light:** grows well in bright indirect light. Bright, indirect light, a metre or two from a south or east window (Acacia). A few hours of gentle morning sun is fine (RHS); hot afternoon sun through glass scorches the leaves.
- **Dry air and air conditioning:** tolerance 3 out of 5 (1 = needs humidity help, 5 = indifferent). Keep it clear of ceiling vents: cold, dry air across the crown sheds leaves and invites spider mites (Acacia). Check the small pot often, and group it with other plants to lift humidity locally.
- **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:** winter balcony: it can live outside on a balcony in the cool months.

## Through the year

A Panda keeps its leaves all year if it is happy, so its calendar is about growth, shape and heat. From March to October it makes new shoots, which is the time to feed, take light trims and check under the leaves for spider mites, since AC air dries the foliage and mites follow. From May to September keep it away from hot glass, and bring any balcony pot indoors before the heat peaks. From December to February it slows: water less and keep it off cold glass and out of the vent line. 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 | Buy in the cooler months and repot only when the roots fill the pot. Avoid carrying a plant home in 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 to late summer. Skip winter, and wait four weeks after a move. |
| Feb–May, Sep–Oct | Prune: Trim and shape | Take small trims, not one hard cut. Wear gloves: the white sap irritates skin. |
| Apr–Oct | Pest watch: Check for spider mites | Look under the leaves for fine webbing and speckling. Also watch for scale and mealybugs. |
| May–Sep | Heat stress: Keep off hot glass and balconies | Acacia says UAE summer sun burns the foliage in days. Bring balcony plants indoors before the heat peaks. |
| Dec–Feb | Dormant: Slow season | Keep the compost just moist and keep it away from cold glass and the vent line. |

## Care in Dubai

- **Watering in summer:** Water when the top 2 to 3 cm of compost is dry, not by the calendar. Acacia expects a deep soak every 5 to 7 days from May to September for a plant indoors, and the RHS says to let the compost dry slightly between waterings. Empty the saucer within about 30 minutes.
- **Watering in winter:** From October to February, Acacia expects a soak every 10 to 14 days, and the RHS says to keep the compost just moist in winter. Check with a finger first, because overwatering is the usual cause of leaf drop.
- **While establishing:** After you bring it home, choose one bright spot and leave it. UF/IFAS advises not moving, pruning, repotting or feeding an indoor ficus for about four weeks, and Acacia says a move can cost 20 to 40 per cent of the leaves within two weeks.
- **Soil:** A free-draining mix. Acacia suggests roughly two parts potting soil to one part perlite or coarse sand, and the RHS suggests loam-based compost with bark chips. NC State asks for high organic matter with good drainage. Avoid dense garden soil in a pot.
- **Feeding:** The RHS suggests a high-nitrogen feed from spring to late summer, and no feed in winter. Acacia suggests half-strength monthly feeds from October to April with a pause in peak summer, so take the pause if the plant sits near hot glass. Flush the pot every few months with plain water, because UF/IFAS links high soluble salts to leaf loss and stunted growth. Never feed in the first four weeks after a move.
- **Pruning:** Take light trims to hold the shape. Acacia suggests removing the outer 1 to 2 cm of new growth two or three times a year and never hard-pruning all at once. The RHS says to cut vigorous plants back just above a leaf in late winter or early spring. Always wear gloves, because the sap irritates skin and stains fabric. Cuttings root in water or sand (NC State).
- **Planting:** Repot every two to three years, moving up 3 to 5 cm in pot width, in spring (RHS) or early autumn (Acacia). In years you do not repot, replace the top 2.5 cm of compost (RHS). Buy and pot up in October to November or February to April, not in summer heat.
- **Pests and problems:** Spider mites; Mealybugs; Scale insects; Thrips; Aphids
- **Toxicity:** No ASPCA entry exists for Ficus microcarpa or 'Panda', but the ASPCA lists the Ficus genus ('Ficus sp.') as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, naming the enzyme ficin and psoralen (ficusin) compounds, so treat Ficus Panda as toxic to pets. The RHS says the sticky white sap is a skin allergen: wear gloves when pruning.

## Good and bad

**Pros**
- Small, rounded, glossy leaves on a compact, bushy crown
- Sold in Dubai from table size to clipped standards of 2 m or more
- Can be shaped as a bonsai or clipped into a ball or cone (RHS)
- Takes a few hours of gentle morning sun, so suits an east window
- Roots easily from cuttings (NC State)

**Cons**
- Treat as toxic to pets, and the sap irritates skin
- Drops leaves after a move, a draught or too much water
- Summer sun at 45°C and above burns the foliage in days (Acacia)
- AC air dries the pot fast and invites spider mites
- Sold under mixed names (Panda, retusa, microcarpa), so check the label

## Common mistakes

- Leaving it outdoors through a Dubai summer because the shop sold it as a patio plant. Acacia says 45°C and above burns the foliage in days; bring it indoors before the heat peaks.
- Moving it around the flat. UF/IFAS advises leaving a new indoor ficus alone for about four weeks, and Acacia reports a move can cost 20 to 40 per cent of the leaves within two weeks.
- Standing it under a ceiling vent. Acacia warns that cold, dry air across the crown is a common cause of leaf shed, and the RHS says to keep figs out of cold draughts.
- Watering on a fixed schedule or leaving water in the saucer. The RHS says leaf drop is usually caused by overwatering, so check the compost first and empty the saucer.
- Pruning without gloves, or cutting it back hard in one go. The RHS warns that the sticky white sap may irritate skin, and Acacia says to spread a big reshape over two or three sessions.
- Treating it as pet-safe. The ASPCA lists the Ficus genus as toxic, so keep it out of reach.

## Good to know

- The ASPCA lists the Ficus genus ('Ficus sp.') as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, naming ficin and psoralen compounds, so treat Ficus Panda as toxic to pets. The RHS flags the sap as a skin allergen.
- The name is a trade name. The RHS holds *Ficus* 'Panda' as an unresolved name with no description. Dubai tags often say *Ficus retusa*, but NC State says that name is commonly misapplied to bonsai figs and GBIF treats *Ficus retusa* as a separate species, with older uses such as var. *nitida* as synonyms of *Ficus microcarpa*. Acacia calls the Panda a trained form of *Ficus microcarpa*, and so does this page.
- It is the same species as [Ficus Ginseng](https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-ginseng.md) and as the clipped hedge [Ficus Nitida](https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-nitida.md) seen across Dubai. NC State says the species is considered invasive in many parts of the world, which is not a concern for a potted plant indoors.
- Shops disagree on sun. Acacia's care guide says outdoors only from November to March in a shaded, sheltered spot, while Plantsworld's page gives outdoor advice of morning sun and afternoon shade. In a pot, the cautious reading is to keep it indoors from May to September.
- Dubai prices checked on 11 October 2026: Greensouq AED 25 for a 40 to 50 cm plant in a plastic pot (AED 95 in a white ceramic pot); Acacia Garden Center AED 18 for a 30 to 40 cm standard form and AED 35 for 50 to 60 cm; Plantsworld from AED 149 for a 100 to 120 cm single-head tree (one size shown as backordered) and AED 329 for a 1.5 to 2 m cone. Treat these as a snapshot, since stock and prices change.

## Using it in a garden

Roles: Table-size tree for a console or shelf, Clipped standard or cone for a bright hallway, Soft round shape against hard lines, Gift plant that can be shaped

Put a table-size Panda where a ginseng ficus would go: on a console, a sideboard or a bright hallway table beside an east-facing window, in a plain stone or matte ceramic pot. Its round, glossy crown softens hard lines and suits a modern or Japandi room. A clipped standard of a metre or more works as a floor accent beside a door or in a majlis corner with good daylight. Keep it out of the vent line, leave it where you put it, and bring any balcony pot indoors before the summer heat.

- [Ficus Ginseng](https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-ginseng.md): Same species and the same care, so a Panda and a ginseng can share a shelf and a watering routine. The ginseng gives the swollen trunk base, the Panda the leafy crown. Both are toxic to pets.
- [Weeping fig](https://plantguide.ae/plants/weeping-fig.md): A different fig with the same light and draught needs. A floor-standing weeping fig behind a table-size Panda gives height in the same corner, though both are toxic to pets.
- [Snake plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/snake-plant.md): Snake plant's upright, stiff leaves contrast with the Panda's round crown in a minimal corner, though snake plant is also toxic to pets.
- [Peperomia](https://plantguide.ae/plants/peperomia.md): A small peperomia repeats the rounded glossy leaf at a lower height, and the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic. The Panda itself still needs to stay out of pets' reach.

## FAQ

**What is the difference between a Ficus Panda and a ginseng ficus?**  
They are the same species, Ficus microcarpa. A ginseng is grown for a swollen, root-like trunk base (NC State, RHS). A Panda is bought for small, rounded, glossy leaves on a compact, bushy crown, and is often clipped as a standard or topiary. The line blurs, because a ginseng can be grafted with smaller-leaved branches (NC State), so check the label.

**Is Ficus Panda the same as Ficus retusa?**  
Dubai shops often label it Ficus retusa, but that is a trade label. NC State says the name is commonly misapplied to bonsai figs, and GBIF treats Ficus retusa as a separate species. Acacia Garden Center calls the Panda a trained form of Ficus microcarpa. The RHS lists the name 'Panda' as unresolved.

**Is Ficus Panda safe for cats and dogs?**  
No, treat it as toxic. The ASPCA has no entry for this cultivar but 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.

**Can I keep a Ficus Panda outside in Dubai?**  
Only in the cool months, and in shade. Acacia's care guide says outdoors from November to March in a shaded, sheltered spot, and warns that UAE summer sun and 45°C and above burns the foliage in days. Bring it indoors before the heat peaks. Some shops sell large clipped trees as outdoor plants, but shop advice on sun varies.

**Why is my Ficus Panda dropping leaves?**  
The RHS says leaf drop is usually caused by overwatering, though cold, low light, too much fertiliser and draughts also cause it, and moving the plant can trigger it. In a Dubai flat, check the compost, move it away from the vent, and leave it in one bright spot. UF/IFAS lists low light as a cause of green leaf drop.

**How often should I water a Ficus Panda in an air-conditioned room?**  
Water when the top 2 to 3 cm of compost is dry, not on a calendar. Acacia expects a soak about every 5 to 7 days in summer and every 10 to 14 days in the cooler months, and the RHS says to keep it just moist in winter. Empty the saucer so it never stands in water.

## Related plants

[Ficus Ginseng](https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-ginseng.md) · [Weeping fig](https://plantguide.ae/plants/weeping-fig.md) · [Rubber plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/rubber-plant.md) · [Ficus Nitida](https://plantguide.ae/plants/ficus-nitida.md) · [Peperomia](https://plantguide.ae/plants/peperomia.md) · [Snake plant](https://plantguide.ae/plants/snake-plant.md)

## Photos

![A small-leaved Ficus microcarpa trained as a potted bonsai in a conservatory](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Ficus_retusa_bonsai_-_Krohn_Conservatory_-_DSC03589.JPG/1920px-Ficus_retusa_bonsai_-_Krohn_Conservatory_-_DSC03589.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)  
Photo: Daderot / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ficus_retusa_bonsai_-_Krohn_Conservatory_-_DSC03589.JPG))

![A compact, glossy small-leaved ficus in an orange pot indoors](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Ficus_retusa_bonsai_2.jpg/1920px-Ficus_retusa_bonsai_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)  
Photo: Tangopaso / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ficus_retusa_bonsai_2.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)
- [RHS: Ficus 'Panda' (name status unresolved, no description)](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/304263/ficus-panda/details)
- [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Ficus microcarpa](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-microcarpa/)
- [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng'](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-microcarpa-ginseng)
- [UF/IFAS EDIS ENH879: Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Interiorscape Ficus](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP136)
- [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)
- [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Ficus microcarpa L.f. and its synonyms](https://www.gbif.org/species/7467639)
- [Wikipedia: Ficus microcarpa (English names in the lead)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_microcarpa)
- [Arabic Wikipedia: الدمس السعودي (Ficus microcarpa)](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%B3_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A)
- [Malayalam Wikipedia: കല്ലിത്തി (Ficus microcarpa)](https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF)
- [Persian Wikipedia: انجیر پرده‌ای (Ficus microcarpa)](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1_%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C)
- [Acacia Garden Center: Ficus Panda Care in UAE (dated 17 April 2026)](https://acaciagardencenter.com/blogs/care-library/ficus-panda-care)
- [Acacia Garden Center: Ficus Panda (Ficus retusa), standard form (price checked 11 October 2026)](https://acaciagardencenter.com/products/tree-ficus-panda-ficus-retusa-ball-shape-type-12b-18l-60-80cm-copy)
- [Acacia Garden Center: Ficus Panda Shrub (Ficus microcarpa) (checked 11 October 2026)](https://acaciagardencenter.com/products/ficus-panda-shrub-ficus-microcarpa-0-5-0-7-m-6l-pot)
- [Greensouq: Ficus Panda Evergreen Plant 40-50cm (price checked 11 October 2026)](https://greensouq.ae/products/ficus-panda-evergreen-plant-40-50cm)
- [Plantsworld: Ficus Panda single head (price checked 11 October 2026)](https://plantsworld.ae/products/ficus-panda-ficus-retusa-tree)
- [Bonsai Galinou: Ficus Panda, a compact Ficus microcarpa (leaf description, retailer page)](https://www.bonsaigalinou.com/en/bonsai/345-ficus-panda-1-3.html)
- [Bonsai Galinou: Panda ficus (name, retailer page)](https://www.bonsaigalinou.com/en/447-ficus-panda)
- [University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Houseplant humidity](https://lancaster.unl.edu/houseplants-humidity)