Golden Gate (Tiger Bark) Ficus

The Golden Gate Ficus Bonsai, sometimes also called the "tiger bark" Ficus, is a perennial favorite among Bonsai lovers. The Golden Gate hails from China and has been used in Bonsai for centuries. It is a gorgeous tree, and it is also extremely hardy and tolerant of mistakes in care, making it a great tree for Bonsai beginners to learn on. Plus, it is also very fast-growing. This means you will have to transplant it more often, but you will not have to wait years to see your training efforts pay off! 

The Golden Gate Ficus, like most Ficus trees, symbolizes unity, simplicity, new beginnings, and harmony with nature. This makes it popular as a gift for newlyweds, new homeowners, and families expecting children. In addition, it is believed to enhance the mood of a room and is sometimes referred to as a "cheerful tree" due to the joy it brings to its owners. 

Get To Know Your New Golden Gate Ficus 

The Ficus typically has a single thick trunk, which is trainable. It is best to start from an early age, before the trunk becomes too thick, although Golden Gate Ficus of all ages are still trainable. The older trees we sell have typically already been wired and trained by our in-house experts to create a twisted look, so you will get a head start in shaping it. 

The trunk also has one of its most eye-catching features: the bark is typically brown grey, but with white stripes, which is why it is sometimes called a "tiger bark" tree. 

Its evergreen leaves are small, glossy, and leathery, and range from dark green to greenish yellow. Depending on how you trim it, it could have a lush canopy, or smaller and more sparse clumps of leaves extending from the main trunk. The Golden Gate Ficus will be happy either way! 

The Golden Gate Ficus is best kept at a temperature between 65-75°F (18-25°C). It can be damaged by either hot or cold temperatures outside that range, although cold is more dangerous. This is an indoor tree, although it may benefit from time outdoors in the summer. 

Otherwise, it should be kept moist with watering, and never be allowed to dry out entirely. The Golden Gate Ficus also loves fertilizer and will grow even more quickly in nutrient-rich soil. Use more nitrogen in the summer, less in the winter. It is very hardy overall, though, so even a neglectful owner should still be able to keep it alive.   

Finally, one warning: the Ficus is poisonous. No part of it should be eaten, and it can potentially be fatal to small animals. Cats may be tempted to nibble on it. If you have small animals in your house, you should always keep your Golden Gate Ficus out of their reach.