In Mandarin, ‘ginseng’ means ‘person root’. You can see how this plant got that nickname. Its big roots look almost like big limbs. They grow above the soil, as much a feature as its thick, shiny leaves. It’s a plant with loads of personality.

More technically known as ficus microcarpa, it’s a member of the fig family and typically appears across Southern Asia and Australia. It’s used frequently in traditional medicine, with various parts of the plant used in treatments for fever, bronchitis and rheumatism. In some parts of South-East Asia it’s believed the tree is home to spirits. 

While the wild version grows about 12 metres tall, and just as wide, it has the same bushy look as its little houseplant cousins. It likes the same conditions too. It likes somewhere bright with lots of humidity. Your indoor version will appreciate a feed with liquid fertiliser once per month in spring and summer. That will help it grow big and strong, if not quite as big as its cousin.

Did you know?

The largest known ficus microcarpa is in Hawaii. It has a trunk over 8.5 metres thick.