Ep. 238 Exploring Ficus: More than the houseplant in the corner | #GoodGrowing

You’ve probably seen Ficus in living rooms, lobbies, or maybe even grown one yourself, but how much do you really know about these iconic houseplants? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we explore the surprisingly diverse world of Ficus. From weeping figs and rubber trees to creeping figs and giant banyans, we dive into their history, care, different species, and more! 
 
Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2hx5VXZrJmg
 
Skip to what you want to know:  
  00:41 – There are a lot of ficus species!
  02:12 – Ficus species native to the United States, and what are strangler figs.
  07:08 – What are Ficus?
  12:25 – General care of Ficus houseplants.
  22:23 – Common Ficus houseplants
    23:38Ficus benjamina (weeping fig)
    27:14Ficus elastica (rubber tree)
    33:15Ficus lyrata (fiddle leaf fig)
    36:03Ficus benghalensis (banyan, Ficus Audrey)
    42:35Ficus maclellandii (banana/long leaf fig, Ficus Alli)
    45:31Ficus microcarpa (Ginseng ficus, Chinese banyan, Indian laurel)
    49:09Ficus pumila (creeping fig)
  53:08 – Ficus propagation
  56:37 – Less commonly encountered ficus houseplants
  59:12 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!
 

More information:
Ficus: Trees and Vine of Florida (University of Florida)
Gods and Monsters: The Genus Ficus (Brooklyn Botanic Garden)
 

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu
 
 
Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
 
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
 
 
Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk
 
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Creators and Guests

Chris Enroth
Host
Chris Enroth
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties
Ken Johnson
Host
Ken Johnson
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Morgan, and Scott Counties
Ep. 238 Exploring Ficus: More than the houseplant in the corner | #GoodGrowing
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