Ficus neriifolia

Neriifolia Ficus is commonly known as the Willow leaf fig or Willow Leaf Ficus. A native to China, the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, Burma, and Bhutan, this adorable tree belongs to the Moraceae family. The tropical winter-dormant tree can grow up to 50 feet tall in its natural habitat but grows as much as 3 feet tall in a pot. It loves heat, direct light, and humidity and depicts slow growth. It can be trained into a bonsai easily because of its dense foliage, aerial roots, and small green leaves. Also, it is easy to prune this houseplant and give it the desired shape. The Ficus neriifolia needs protection during winters and is not frost-hardy. It hardly blooms as a bonsai but in nature, it bears green tear-drop flowers. Growth Rate The Willow leaf fig is a slow-growing evergreen tree. Flowering In nature, the tree bears inverted green-colored flowers. There is no specific blooming season. The willow leaf fig bonsai has minimal chances of flowering. Watering and Feeding The willow leaf fig bonsai tree needs more watering than other Figs. Owners must not overwater the plant but ensure that moisture is present in the soil. Use soft water and watering should be done whenever the soil is dry. Soil The Ficus neriifolia needs well-draining soil. The soil pH should be around 6.5-7.0. Go in for sandy or loamy soil. Ensure that the soil is high in organic content. Hardiness This tree grows in the hardiness zones of 10 to 11. It is not frost-hardy. Light The bonsai needs about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Propagation Air layering, cuttings, and seeds are the three best options for propagation. The ideal time to propagate is spring or summer. Your bonsai willow leaf fig will grow wonderfully well in a terracotta or plastic pot. To complement the elliptical shape of the leaves and the bright-colored foliage, choose a round glazed pot as it can be an instant visual delight!