Roots with character
Thick exposed roots create an individual base with curves and openings. Their shape naturally differs from plant to plant.
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Ficus microcarpa ginseng 12cm
Normal price
€16,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Ficus microcarpa 'ginseng'
It is not a bonsai. It is its uncle who studied design 🧑🎓
- Sculptural base
- Glossy leaves
- Evergreen crown
- Can be shaped by pruning
Ficus microcarpa 'ginseng' has the presence of a small living sculpture: swollen roots rise above the soil, twisting and meeting beneath a dense green crown. Glossy leaves bring a bright, gentle contrast to its textured base. Every curve gives the plant a character of its own, like a little tree carrying an entire story within its silhouette, ready to become a quiet focal point in your room.
Its beauty lies in the balance between the substantial base and the fine tips of the foliage. Against wood, beside ceramics or in front of a calm wall, it creates a place where the eye returns naturally. Its architecture alone is enough to bring depth and natural warmth to a space.
What makes it special
A textured base, dense branching and glossy foliage offer three distinct views of the same little tree.
Leaves that catch the light
Small, leathery leaves form a crown with a clear outline and subtle reflections.
An evolving silhouette
Woody branching can be kept compact with gentle trimming, allowing the base to remain the focal point.
Why you’ll love it: it combines the presence of a tree with the intimacy of a plant you can study close up, down to the last curve of its base.
In your space Placement & plant pairings Where it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
On a bright table or piece of furniture near a window, where its base remains visible. Leave some space around the crown and avoid deep, dark shelves, radiators and cold draughts.
Plants that complement it
Group these plants in separate pots so that each can be watered to suit its own needs.
- Philodendron hederaceum — trailing movement and heart-shaped leaves beside the tree form.
- Scindapsus pictus — silver details to brighten the deep green of the crown.
- Peperomia obtusifolia — rounded leaves and a lower outline for a calm arrangement.
Care at a glance
Light
A very bright position near a window. Gentle morning sun is useful after gradual adjustment; protect from sudden exposure to hot midday sun.
Watering
Water when the surface begins to dry. Moisten the mix evenly, allow it to drain completely and empty water left in the decorative pot.
Atmosphere
Steady warmth, around 18–26°C. Protect from frost, cold draughts and direct heat from radiators.
Pets
Not suitable for chewing. The milky sap may cause irritation; keep away from pets and wear gloves when pruning.
Detailed care Complete care guide Light, watering, humidity, substrate and nutrition in detail
Light and adjustment
A bright position near a window helps keep the crown full. If the plant was in a shadier place, increase light gradually. Moving it straight into strong sun can damage the leaves.
Watering by checking the soil
Check the surface and the weight of the pot before watering. Do not let the entire mix become completely dry, but do not keep the roots permanently wet either. Soil dries more slowly in lower light.
Keeping the crown in shape
During active growth, selectively shorten shoots that extend beyond the desired outline, cutting above a leaf or bud. Spread the work over time and avoid hard pruning a weak plant.
Potting mix and repotting
Use an airy, free-draining mix and a pot with drainage holes. Repot in spring when roots have filled the available space or the mix has lost its structure. Keep the swollen base at its original planting level.
Feeding during growth
When new growth appears, use a suitable fertiliser following its label. Reduce feeding when growth slows and do not fertilise a plant suffering from overwatering or severe dryness.
Clean leaves and routine checks
Gently wipe dust away with a damp soft cloth. Check leaf axils and branches for scale insects or mealybugs, particularly when the air is dry and growth is poor.
Botanical identity Origin of the cultivar From a tropical fig to a trained tree with a distinctive base
A tropical tree on a smaller scale
The story begins with Ficus microcarpa, a tree from tropical and subtropical Asia. Its dense branching and response to pruning brought it into cultivation as a small trained tree, concentrating its natural architecture on a very different scale.
The form with swollen roots
In the 'ginseng' form, the focus shifts to the base: thick exposed roots recall the shape of a ginseng root, although the plant does not belong to the genus Panax. Its final appearance develops through root growth and crown training. The familiar outline remains recognisable while every plant keeps its own individual base.
Size over time: the potted form is maintained through pruning and care. It is not a genetically restricted tree that will stay at exactly the same height forever.
Greenleaf for Plant Nerds Scientific facts nobody asked for Botanical details for anyone curious about the plant behind the foliage
Flowers hidden inside the fig
In Ficus microcarpa, tiny flowers sit inside a specialised hollow inflorescence called a syconium. Pollination takes place inside the syconium with the help of specialised small wasps.
Roots that start from branches
In a very humid tropical environment, the species can produce aerial roots. Once they reach the ground, they thicken and can become additional supports.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about growth and the plant’s most common signals.
01 Why are leaves falling?
Check light and soil moisture first. Low light, overwatering or severe dryness can cause leaf drop. Stabilise conditions and avoid repotting and heavy pruning at the same time.
02 How often should I water?
When the surface starts to dry, rather than on a fixed weekly schedule. Water thoroughly and let the excess escape through the drainage holes.
03 Will it stay the same size?
The crown continues to grow. Selective pruning, good light and appropriate root care keep it compact.
04 Can it stay on a balcony?
During warm weather, when nights remain above roughly 15°C, it can go outside with gradual adjustment to the light. Bring it back into a protected space before cold weather.
05 Should I cover the thick roots with soil?
Keep the existing planting level. The exposed swollen base is characteristic of this form and does not need to be buried deeper.
06 Is it suitable for a home with pets?
Only in a position where pets cannot chew the leaves or contact the sap. The sap may cause irritation, so take care when handling it too.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.