1. Home
  2. Feature Plants

Feature Plants

RSS
Meet the Ficus: Feature Houseplant for 2026

Meet the Ficus: Feature Houseplant for 2026

Every year, the National Garden Bureau — the horticultural industry’s leading trend authority in North America — names a “Plant of the Year” in each category to celebrate genera worth growing, gifting, and talking about. For 2026, the houseplant honour goes to a old favourite that’s having a very well-deserved comeback: the Ficus.

If the word “Ficus” makes you think of the droopy office plant in the corner that nobody waters, think again. The Ficus genus contains over 800 species, ranging from dramatic floor-to-ceiling statement trees to compact desktop sculptures. There’s a Ficus for virtually every home, every skill level, and every spot on your windowsill.

Why Ficus, Why Now?

Houseplant trends have shifted meaningfully in recent years. After the COVID-era explosion of rare, high-maintenance tropicals, gardeners are gravitating back toward plants that are beautiful and forgiving — plants that fit into real life. Ficus hits that sweet spot perfectly.

These are long-lived plants. A well-cared-for rubber plant or weeping fig can live for decades, growing alongside your family and becoming a genuine piece of living furniture. They’re also among the best natural air purifiers you can bring indoors, absorbing carbon dioxide and helping filter household pollutants — a quiet but meaningful benefit for any home.


The Ficus Family: Which One Is Right for You?

Here’s a quick guide to the varieties we’re carrying and what makes each one special.

🌿 Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The rubber plant is arguably the most beginner-friendly of the group — and one of the most striking. Its large, glossy leaves come in classic deep green, dramatic near-black burgundy, and beautiful variegated forms with cream and pink edges. It tolerates lower light better than most Ficus, survives the occasional missed watering, and grows into a genuinely impressive indoor tree over time. If you want impact without stress, start here.

🌿 Ficus Ginseng Bonsai (Ficus microcarpa)

With its dramatic swollen roots and glossy dark green leaves, Ficus Ginseng is one of the best beginner-friendly bonsai you can grow.  This sculptural houseplant has been shaped to showcase its thick, gnarled trunk base.  Ficus Ginseng thrives in bright, indirect lightand tolerates the occasional missed watering, making it an easy choice for those new to bonsai or anyone who wants a living work of art without the fussiness.

🌿 Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Yes, it’s still here — and yes, it’s still worth it. The fiddle leaf fig’s enormous, architectural leaves remain one of the most dramatic things you can put in a living room. It does have opinions about its care (consistent light, no cold drafts, careful watering), but once you find the right spot, it will reward you handsomely. The key is to choose your location thoughtfully, then leave it alone.

🌿 Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

A classic for good reason. The weeping fig has elegant, arching branches and small glossy leaves that create a full, tree-like canopy. It’s one of the most effective air-purifying houseplants available and can grow beautifully tall given time. Fair warning: it will drop leaves if you move it. Find its spot, let it settle, and it will thrive.

Care Essentials: The Ficus Golden Rules

While every variety has its quirks, most Ficus share a few basic preferences.

Light:  Bright, indirect light is ideal for almost all varieties. A spot a few feet back from a south or west-facing window works beautifully for most of central Ontario’s home layouts. Avoid placing directly in harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch leaves.

Consistency is everything:  Ficus don’t like change. Avoid moving them around the house, and keep them away from cold drafts, heating vents, and air conditioni

ng. A sudden change in environment is the most common cause of leaf drop — which, while alarming, is usually temporary as the plant adjusts.

Watering:  Let the top few centimetres of soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering is far more dangerous than underwatering for most Ficus. When in doubt, wait a few more days.

Temperature:  Keep them in rooms that stay consistently above 15°C. During our central Ontario winters, keep them well away from cold windowsills and exterior doors.

Fertilizing:   A balanced liquid fertilizer once a month through spring and summer is plenty. Ease off in fall and stop through winter when growth naturally slows.

A note on pets:  Ficus sap can irritate skin and is mildly toxic if ingested by cats or dogs. If you have curious pets, choose a spot that’s out of reach, or opt for a pet-safe alternative — just ask us in-store and we’ll help you find a great option.

A Plant That Grows With You

One of the things we love most about recommending Ficus to our customers is the long game. These aren’t plants you’ll replace in a season. A rubber plant you bring home this spring could still be gracing your living room in twenty years, growing taller, becoming more characterful, and connecting you to a particular moment in time. That’s something no trending annual can offer.

Whether you’re picking out your first real houseplant, adding to an established indoor collection, or looking for a meaningful gift, the Ficus family has something for you.

 

Read More
  • Kristin Ego
Handsome Hellebores

Handsome Hellebores

Hellebores, often the earliest of flowers in our spring gardens, are truly remarkable plants that usher in the season with their nodding blooms. Did you know that these enchanting flowers can actually bloom while snow is still on the ground? It's like they have a secret pact with winter, bravely pushing through to bring a splash of colour to our gardens when we need it most. These hardy perennials thrive in a shade to part shade location with good drainage and consistent moisture.  

Tips for Growing Hellebores in Your Garden: 

🌱  Plant in a shady to part shade location

🌱 They like rich, well-draining soil.  Add compost and mix in well before planting

🌱  Keep them moist but not soggy, especially during dry spells in their first year

🌱  Give them some room to spread - approximately 18 inches apart for most varieties

🌱 Cut back old leaves in late winter / early spring before new flowers and foliage emerge for a tidier look. 

 

Read More
  • Kristin Ego
Peach Fuzz - Pantone Colour of the Year 2024

Peach Fuzz - Pantone Colour of the Year 2024

It's fun every season to see what plants we can tie in with Pantone's Colour of the Year!  

For 2024 they have chosen Peach Fuzz, a velvety gentle peach tone with all-embracing spirit.  

According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

"In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless." 

Here are a few of our selections inspired by Peach Fuzz for 2024...

Pictured below, clockwise from Top Left...  Dahlia 'Fairway Spur', Ranunculus 'Amandine Salmon' , Gladiolus 'Sabor', Astilbe 'Peach Blossom', Achillea 'Firefly Peach Sky', Agastache 'Peachie Keen', Digitalis 'Dalmatian Peach', Heuchera 'Peachberry Ice', Geum 'Mai Tai', Hemerocallis 'Orange Smoothie'.
Read More
  • Kristin Ego
Feature Plant: Rudbeckia

Feature Plant: Rudbeckia

Overview and History

Rugged durability, extreme heat tolerance, and summer-long flower power make Rudbeckia one of the most popular perennials sold today in many parts of North America. It’s no wonder as it can be found naturally and thrives in all 48 contiguous states and in all 10 provinces of Canada.

Thanks to North American botanist John Bartram, seeds of our native Rudbeckia were sent to Europe via Englishman Peter Collins. This is how Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) came across them and named them after Olof Rudbeck (1660-1740), a teacher at Uppsala University in Sweden with whom he worked for. (Linnaeus is now known as the “father of taxonomy’s” system of binomial nomenclature.)

It is said that as Linnaeus was putting together his nomenclature, he chose the name Rudbeckia because the tall flower reflected Rudbeck’s tall stature, and the ray-like petals bore “witness that you shone among savants like the sun among stars.” What a wonderful tribute!

Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy', 'Maya', 'Autumn', 'Amarillo Gold'

Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy', 'Maya', 'Autumn', 'Amarillo Gold'

Ten of the Most Popular Species of Rudbeckia

    1. Rudbeckia hirta– A colorful biennial or short-lived perennial that is winter hardy to USDA Zones 3-9. Characterized by course, rough leaves with short hairs (hirta is Latin for hairy) and single daisy-like flowers, this rudbeckia is one of the most prolific species with the most cultivars from breeding companies.

    2. Rudbeckia fulgida– Fulgida is one of the most well-known Rudbeckia thanks to two varieties: ‘Goldsturm’ that was Perennial Plant Association’s (PPA) Perennial Plant of the Year in 1999 and now AAS Winner ‘American Gold Rush’ that is PPA’s Perennial Plant of the Year for 2023.

    3. Rudbeckia laciniata- Laciniata can grow to 12’ tall, but most varieties are 2-3’ tall. Flowers are 3-4″ across, with cone-shaped, greenish-yellow centers and back-tilted golden rays. Leaves are characteristically a five-pointed palmately compound leaf.

    4. Rudbeckia grandiflora – A rhizomatous perennial that can grow up to 48” tall. Colonies can be quite large and spreading.

    5. Rudbeckia maxima – A species native to the southern United States with upright leaves that make it discernible from other Rudbeckia types.

    6. Rudbeckia occidentalis – A western coneflower native from Colorado west to Washington, including northern California.

    7. Rudbeckia triloba – A short-lived perennial native to eastern North America that easily reseeds but does not become weedy. Characterized by a three-pointed palmately compound leaf.

    8. Rudbeckia missouriensis – A species native to the central prairie states.

    9. Rudbeckia subtomentosa – Noted for its quilled flowers, Henry Eilers is one of the most commonly known variety in this species.

    10. Rudbeckia amplexicaulis – Noted for its drooping flower petals, it is native to the Midwest plains and south-central U.S.

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'

How to Grow Rudbeckia in the Garden

Sowing seeds:

Plant seeds 4-6” apart after all danger of frost. Prior to seeding, make sure the soil surface is clump free and lightly packed as a firm seedbed is needed as seedlings emerge. Cover seeds lightly and keep them moist. Seeds can also be started indoors 3-4 weeks earlier but must be kept in a sunny location once leaves are visible.

Watering and Fertilization:

Rudbeckia prefer moderate, but consistent soil moisture. Avoid over-watering or drought stress. Drought stress can cause browning of the leaf edges. Avoid overhead watering late in the day to reduce the risk of Botrytis, especially under cool conditions.

Once established, Rudbeckia are drought and heat tolerant. Rudbeckia require only moderate fertilization. Fertilize monthly with a well-balanced fertilizer.

Light:

Rudbeckia need to be planted in full sun. Rudbeckia is a “long day plant,” requiring a minimum of 13-14 hours of light flower initiation.

High light levels throughout the season will improve the plant’s quality. Unfortunately, hot temperatures, especially at night, cause stretching.

Prevent Diseases:  

To prevent Powdery Mildew water plants in the early morning or late afternoon, not during the heat of the day. Allow time for plants to dry before nightfall.

Divide Plants:  

To prevent overcrowding, Rudbeckia are easily divided into clumps every 3-4 years. Divide in early spring or fall.

In the Landscape:

Given that Rudbeckia are native to many areas of North America, they are ideal in mass plantings or in naturalized areas.

Pollinators:

They attract bees and butterflies, and birds love the seed heads.

 

The National Garden Bureau recognizes and thanks Ernst Benary of America, Inc., an NGB member, as author and contributor to this fact sheet. 

Read More