Does a Ficus Have Milky Sap?

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is hardy in USDA zones 10 through 12.


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Ficus (Ficus spp.) is a wide-ranging genus with more than 800 species, encompassing both the edible fig (Ficus carica), suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9, and the rubber plant (Ficus elastica), a houseplant or outdoor plant in USDA zones 9 through 11. One thing all ficus species have in common is their milky sap.

Ficus Sap

The milky sap in ficus stems and leaves is latex. The sap from the rubber plant was once used to create a natural rubber. The white sap flows freely from stems and leaves when they're wounded or pruned. Before pruning an indoor ficus, place the plant on newspapers or a tarp, because the sap can drip and stain surfaces. Wearing gloves is important as well, because the sap causes an itchy, red skin irritation that intensifies with exposure to the sun. Frequent exposure to the sap can cause coughing, difficulty breathing and itchy eyes.

Sap and Edible Figs

Edible figs need to be picked at just the right stage of ripeness, because they won't continue to ripen once they're off the tree. Sap can be an indicator of whether the fruit is at its peak. If sap oozes from the stem at the point where you remove a fig, it isn't ready and you shouldn't eat it. Eating a fig with sap residue can irritate your throat and stomach. Edible fig trees are considered invasive in some states, including California.

About the Author

Patricia H. Reed


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