Bonsai seeds
The ficus is one of the most rewarding trees for bonsai beginners — it grows fast, takes pruning well and forms a strong trunk and aerial roots even indoors. Here you will find bonsai seeds from several species of the genus Ficus, from the sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) to other tropical figs. The seeds usually come with a recommended method for soaking and sowing in warmth.
Bonsai seeds
Figs are among the most popular trees for growing bonsai, because they grow fast, recover well after pruning and can be kept indoors all year. Bonsai seeds of the genus Ficus are therefore an ideal choice for beginners and for collectors who want to guide the tree from the very start.
The range includes several fig species. The sacred fig (Ficus religiosa), with heart-shaped leaves ending in a long tip, is one of the best known and quickly forms a striking trunk. Other species such as Ficus benghalensis, racemosa, sycomorus or virens differ in the shape and size of their leaves and in the tendency to form aerial roots, which give the bonsai its characteristic look. They are all tropical trees suited to indoors.
Fig germination is relatively easy. The seeds benefit from soaking in lukewarm water and sowing on the surface of a moist, free-draining substrate in warmth around 25 to 28 °C. The seeds need light to germinate, so they are only pressed in lightly and not covered. With steady moisture they usually come up within a few weeks.
Give young figs a bright spot, warmth all year and regular but not soggy watering. After a few years of free growth you can begin pruning and shaping the trunk and crown. It is precisely the fast growth and readiness to form a strong trunk that make the ficus a tree on which growing bonsai is well learned.