Ficus Retusa (Ginseng Bonsai Tree)
- In stock, ready to ship
ADD A BEAUTIFUL FITTED POT (OPTIONAL)
ADD A BEAUTIFUL FITTED POT (OPTIONAL)
We love the sculptural beauty of the Ficus retusa, also known as the Indian Laurel Fig or Banyan Fig. With its glossy dark green leaves and striking aerial roots, it’s one of the most elegant indoor bonsai trees you can grow. Compact, hardy, and easy to shape, it’s perfect for beginners wanting to try bonsai, while still offering all the character of a mature indoor tree.
Buying it as a gift? We’ll include a free handwritten card — just add your message at checkout. We’ll wrap it with care and leave out the paperwork or price tags, creating a lovely surprise for the recipient.
Native habitat and growth pattern
Ficus retusa is native to Southeast Asia, where it grows as a tropical tree in warm, humid environments. In the wild, it develops large aerial roots that grow down into the soil, creating the classic banyan tree form. Indoors, it adapts beautifully as a container plant or bonsai, with dense foliage and roots that can be trained into dramatic shapes.
Size
W9cm x H20cm or W12cm x H30cm. Supplied in a plastic nursery pot.
Styling tips
-
A perfect bonsai-style tree for desks, shelves, or hallways
-
Its aerial roots and dense foliage give it a unique architectural quality
-
Complements minimalist, Zen-inspired, or tropical interiors
-
Makes an unusual and elegant living gift
Ficus retusa care guide
Light requirements:
Tolerates lower light than many bonsai, but prefers bright, indirect light. A north- or west-facing window is ideal.
Watering:
Keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top layer to dry a little between waterings.
Feeding:
Feed once a month in spring and summer. We recommend our vegan, organic Original Plant Food for strong, healthy growth.
Humidity:
Average household humidity is fine, but occasional misting helps in drier rooms.
Pet safety:
Toxic if ingested — keep out of reach of cats and dogs.
Propagation:
Can be propagated from cuttings, though it is slow to establish.
Why choose this plant?
The Ficus retusa is one of the most rewarding bonsai trees for indoor growing. Unlike many bonsai that demand constant attention, this fig is hardy and forgiving, making it the ideal introduction to bonsai for beginners. Its thick aerial roots, compact size, and glossy foliage create a striking, sculptural look that adds elegance and tranquillity to any space.
It’s also incredibly versatile. Whether you want a miniature tree for a desk, a living feature for a shelf, or a bonsai to train and shape over time, the Ficus retusa adapts beautifully. Its resilience and low-maintenance care requirements mean it’s a great choice for busy homes, while still offering the unique presence of a true bonsai.
As a gift, it’s perfect for anyone who loves unusual plants, design-led interiors, or the calming art of bonsai. With its graceful form and rainforest feel, it makes a stylish and thoughtful living present.
FAQs
Is Ficus retusa a good bonsai for beginners?
Yes — it’s one of the easiest bonsai trees to grow indoors and is much more forgiving than most bonsai species.
How big will it get indoors?
Kept as a bonsai, it usually reaches 20–40cm tall. With age and space, it can grow larger if allowed.
Why are the leaves on my Ficus retusa turning yellow?
This is usually due to overwatering or low light. Allow the soil to dry slightly and move to brighter indirect light.
Can Ficus retusa live in low light?
It will tolerate lower light conditions, but growth is stronger and leaves glossier in bright, indirect light.
Do I need to prune my bonsai regularly?
Yes — pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages denser foliage.
Explore more
Looking for more colourful or low-maintenance plants? Browse our Easy Care Houseplants or explore our Tropical Indoor Plants. For care tips, dormancy advice and more, check out our indoor plant blog.
Happy Houseplants delivers live houseplants across the UK with fast, carbon-neutral tracked service.
At Happy Houseplants, we ship all live plants via DPD’s 24-hour tracked carbon-neutral service. Delivery usually takes 7–10 working days, but in most cases your plants will arrive much sooner. You can read more about delivery here.
We post to most of the UK, but we’re unable to deliver to the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight, the Scilly Isles and the Channel Islands because of higher shipping costs.
When we list a plant’s height, it always includes the grow pot, stem, foliage and living root system — not just what you see above the soil. Because every plant is unique, yours may arrive a little smaller or larger than the size listed.
Happy Houseplants is the UK’s leading online plant shop for rare and unusual houseplants. At Happy Houseplants, we’re more than just a shop. We’re a family-run business, proud RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winners, and home to the UK’s number one houseplant blog. Plant lovers across the country trust us for beautiful, healthy plants and expert care.
We specialise in everything from easy-care houseplants for beginners to rare and unusual plants for collectors. Every order is hand-packed by our small team in sustainable, plastic-free packaging and delivered through DPD’s carbon-neutral tracked service.
We’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot and consistently praised for the quality of our plants, the care we take with packaging, and our friendly, knowledgeable service. When you choose Happy Houseplants, you’re choosing sustainability, knowledge and a genuine passion for plants.
Looking for more vibrant and easy-care houseplants? Check out our Easy Care Houseplants collection or browse our Pet Friendly Houseplants if you’ve got furry friends at home. And why not read the Happy Houseplants blog for more styling ideas and plant care tips?
Happy Houseplants runs the UK’s number one houseplant blog with expert tips and guidance.
At Happy Houseplants, we believe buying a plant is only the start — helping it thrive is what really matters. That’s why we run the UK’s number one houseplant blog, filled with expert advice on watering, light, feeding, pest care and more.
Every plant we sell comes with straightforward care tips, and if you’d like to dive deeper you’ll find hundreds of helpful guides and styling ideas on our blog. Explore them here: Happy Houseplants Blog.
Whether you’re just starting out or building a collection, you’ll always find support and inspiration from us.
Happy Houseplants makes plant gifting simple with handwritten cards and nationwide delivery.
At Happy Houseplants, we believe plants make the perfect living gift — thoughtful, long-lasting, and always a joy to receive. Unlike flowers that fade quickly, a houseplant grows and thrives, becoming a lasting reminder of your care.
Sending a gift is simple. Just add your message at checkout and we’ll handwrite it on a card for you. We never include prices or invoices, so your plant arrives as a pure surprise.
Our carefully chosen range includes everything from easy-care indoor plants for beginners to rare and unusual plants for collectors — ideal for birthdays, thank-yous, housewarmings or simply to brighten someone’s day. Every gift is hand-packed in sustainable, plastic-free packaging and delivered nationwide with DPD’s carbon-neutral tracked service.
When you send a gift from Happy Houseplants, you’re not just giving a plant — you’re sending a beautiful, meaningful gesture that lasts.
Happy Houseplants makes it easy to find pet-safe and easy-care houseplants in the UK.
At Happy Houseplants, we know every home is different. That’s why we make it easy to find plants that fit your lifestyle — whether you’re looking for pet-safe options or low-maintenance plants that thrive with minimal fuss.
Our Pet-Friendly Houseplants are carefully chosen so you can add greenery to your home without worry around cats or dogs.
Our Easy Care Houseplants are perfect for beginners or busy households, with varieties that don’t demand constant attention but still bring life and beauty to your space.
