How To Care For Your Mistletoe Fig Bonsai

Ficus Diversifolia Bonsai Care

About The Mistletoe Fig Bonsai Tree

The Mistletoe Fig is a slow growing tree native to the tropics of India, Asia and Africa. It produces small orange and red fruits that look just like mistletoe, hence its name.

It has a slender gray trunk topped with bright green oval leaves that have an almost leathery texture.

Like most ficus, the mistletoe fig develops interesting aerial roots with enough humidity.

The mistletoe fig is the only Ficus species that will produce fruits when cultivated indoors. It will produce inedible pea sized fruits all year round that turn from dull yellow to orange and red. 

It makes a wonderful indoor bonsai tree.

Placement

The Mistletoe Fig can live indoors all year, but would prefer to be outdoors as long as the temperature remains above 40 degrees.  It loves light, and should get plenty of it on a south (or east, or west) facing windowsill while indoors.

Watering

The Mistletoe Fig, like most bonsai trees, will die if it dries out.  It enjoys plenty of water in well draining soil. Never let it dry out completely.

Humidity

The Mistletoe Fig loves humidity, and will develop interesting air roots if it has enough.

Fertilizing

Since your Mistletoe Fig bonsai is in a small pot, and not the ground, it needs nutrients.  A slow release (pellet based) fertilizer is perfect for this, and can be added sparingly every 1-2 months during the growing season.

Pruning & Trimming

Trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point that looks good to you — but never remove all of the new growth.

A regular trim will help keep your Mistletoe Fig bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.

Repotting

Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, Mistletoe Fig included, when its root system has filled the pot.  If you can clearly see the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time to repot your bonsai.

Generally, this means every 2-3 years for a deciduous tree and every 4-5 years for an evergreen.  Mistletoe Figs, being tropical, will need to be repotted around every 2-4 years depending on its environment.

Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.

Your Mistletoe Fig bonsai, along with all of its soil, should be removed from the pot.  From there, you can trim away no more than 1/3rd of the root mass (1/4th is preferred.) 

Then you can repot the tree in the same pot, or give it a newer / bigger pot to thrive in.

After repotting, your bonsai Mistletoe Fig should be thoroughly watered.

Diseases, Insects & Other Pests

Your Mistletoe Fig bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal Mistletoe Fig tree.  Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.