Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng'

Ficus microcarpa, or Chinese Banyan, is a species of fig tree native to tropical and subtropical Asia. When young, the plant appears to be a shrub, but when grown outdoors in Mediterranean climates, it can reach 40 feet high with a 40 foot crown.  It also grows well as a shade tree and, for this reason, is frequently used as an indoor tree and in bonsai.  The Chinese Banyan has a rounded dense crown with a smooth gray bark, milky sap, and long, thin, dangling aerial roots. A tropical and subtropical species, the tree requires a warm climate and a humid atmosphere to thrive. The tree was widely distributed as an ornamental plant and is one of the most common street trees in warm climates. It is suitable for temperatures above 68 degrees F all year long, thus it is generally sold as a houseplant. High humidity (70% - 100%) is preferable and seems to favor the development of aerial roots.

Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng' is a cultivar used extensively in bonsai for its bulbous, thick roots reminiscent of ginseng that rise out of the ground.  It is sometimes grafted with branches of a smaller-leaved cultivar.  While it is commonly mislabeled as Ficus retusa, that species refers to another plant not used in bonsai. Like other cultivars of this species, it grows somewhat faster and is easier to care for than other bonsai species, making it great for first-timers. Keep it in a sunny, warm location with consistent moisture.

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