Ficus Retusa bonsai tree in shallow bowl

Overview

Bonsai of Ficus retusa, an evergreen tropical species with glossy oval leaves, grown in a white shallow bowl 20 cm in diameter. The thickened trunk base and compact canopy make it unmistakable even in smaller sizes. It is the most practical choice for anyone looking for a living wedding favour to hand out in quantity, or a hardy, easy-to-manage corporate gift for the home.

Technical specifications

• Botanical species: Ficus retusa
• Style: informal upright with rounded canopy
• Plant height: approx. 18-23 cm
• Pot: shallow bowl, diam. 20 cm x h. 7 cm
• Pot material: white ceramic
• Position: bright indoors, out of direct sunlight through glass
• Care difficulty: low, suitable for beginners too

How to care for it

Keep it indoors all year round by a bright window, at temperatures above 14-15 °C: below that threshold the ficus drops its leaves. Water when the top centimetre of substrate is dry, more often in summer and at longer intervals in winter, always avoiding water sitting in the shallow bowl.

For more on caring for this species, see the full botanical care sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Is the plant I receive exactly the one in the photo?

No. As this is a wedding favour produced in series, the photo shows a representative specimen: the plant shipped is of the same species, the same style and in the same white 20 x 7 cm bowl, with a height between 18 and 23 cm, but the exact specimen varies.

Can I order several matching pieces for a ceremony?

Yes. All pieces share the same pot, the same species and the same height range, so the overall look is consistent across the tables. Small differences in canopy and trunk are normal, as every plant grows in its own way.

Should it be kept indoors or outdoors?

Indoors. Ficus retusa is a tropical species and cannot tolerate the Italian winter cold. During the warm months it can stay outside in a shaded spot, but it must be brought back in when night-time lows fall below 14 °C.

What's included

• Ficus retusa bonsai in a white ceramic shallow bowl — the exact specimen in the photo
• Botanical care sheet with growing instructions
• Reinforced packaging designed to protect the plant in transit