When Does the Banyan Tree Lose Its Leaves, Bloom, Bear Fruit, and Grow New Leaves? What Varieties Are Commonly Used for Bonsai?

The banyan tree is highly adaptable and can develop aerial roots in humid air, giving it high ornamental value; outside South China, it is commonly grown as a potted plant. Banyan trees generally bloom in May-June and bear fruit in September-October. The banyan is an evergreen tree, so normally you cannot see an obvious leaf-shedding season, but this does not mean it never loses its leaves. Evergreen plants can generally shed leaves throughout the year, because evergreen leaves can live for 12-18 months; leaf drop is usually more severe in spring, and as new leaves grow, the old leaves have completed their mission. Banyan bonsai usually come in two varieties: aerial-root banyan bonsai and ginseng banyan bonsai. Both are generally sold in large quantities at flower markets, with market prices around 200-300 yuan, determined by the size of the bonsai, the degree of unusualness, and aesthetic value; better ones cost more, but within 1,000 yuan.

The banyan tree has the following common types:

1. Weeping Fig

Weeping fig, also known as weeping-leaf fig, weeping-branch fig, small-leaf fig, white fig, etc., is a species of the same genus, an evergreen broadleaf tree that grows shrub-like when potted. It has many branches, and the branches are soft and mostly drooping. The leaves are relatively small, drooping, green, thin, and leathery; it is a popular indoor foliage plant both in China and abroad.

2. Variegated Weeping Fig

Variegated weeping fig, also known as variegated weeping fig, is a cultivated variety of the weeping fig, an evergreen shrub with sparse branches. The plant form is relatively upright. The leaves are densely alternate, ovate, with irregular pale yellow markings on both the veins and leaf margins, giving it high ornamental value.

3. Spotted-Leaf Weeping Fig

Spotted-leaf weeping fig is a cultivated variety of the weeping fig, and the plant is relatively short. The leaves are smaller than those of the weeping fig, green, with irregular creamy yellow markings on the leaf surface, giving it even higher ornamental value.

4. Spotted-Leaf Small-Leaf Weeping Fig

Spotted-leaf small-leaf weeping fig is a cultivated variety of the weeping fig.

The branches droop and the branching is dense. The leaves are even smaller than those of the spotted-leaf weeping fig, with irregular alternating yellow-green markings on the leaf surface, giving it even more ornamental value than the spotted-leaf weeping fig.

5. Large-Leaved Fig

Large-leaved fig, also known as mountain fig, bird fig, red-fleshed fig, military-tube fig, green-stalk club, etc., is a common species of the same genus, an evergreen tree with drooping aerial roots. The bark is smooth and dark brown. The leaves are broad, long elliptical, entire, with blunt tips, 10-20 cm long, growing concentrated at the tips of lateral branches. It looks best when new leaves emerge. It is extremely shade-tolerant and can be grown indoors in pots for a long time.

6. Golden Fig

Golden fig, also known as yellow fig, golden-leaf fig, etc., is a cultivated variety of the banyan tree; the leaves are golden yellow, smooth and glossy, and the leaf color looks even better when grown under strong light.

7. Triangular Fig

Triangular fig is a common species of the same genus, a low shrub with inverted-triangular leaves; it is not cold-tolerant and is suitable for small pot cultivation.

8. Variegated Triangular Fig

Variegated triangular fig is a cultivated variety of the triangular fig; the leaf surface has irregular alternating yellow, white, and green markings, giving it higher ornamental value than the triangular fig, and it is even less cold-tolerant. It is suitable for pot cultivation as a foliage plant.

9. Fiddle-Leaf Fig

Fiddle-leaf fig is a common species of the same genus, an evergreen tree with black branches. The leaves are fiddle-shaped, entire and wavy, large, 20-30 cm long and 13-20 cm wide. The leaf surface is dark green, and the leaf underside is brown, gradually turning white. It is strongly cold-tolerant. It is suitable for indoor pot cultivation.