Ficus benjamina is a tree reaching 30 m (98 feet) tall in natural conditions, with gracefully drooping branchlets and glossy leaves 6–13 cm (2+3⁄8–5+1⁄8 inches), oval with an acuminate tip.

The widely spread, highly branching tree top often covers a diameter of 10 metres (33 ft).

[citation needed] Pollination of F. benjamina only occurs with a specific type of wasp that live symbiotically together.

[citation needed] The tree is treated as an ornamental bush and indoor plant in many places.

[citation needed][10] In tropical, subtropical and warm temperate latitudes, the weeping fig makes a very large and stately tree for parks and other urban situations, such as wide roads.

It is often cultivated for this purpose, such as in Bourbong Street Weeping Figs in Bundaberg, where it is heritage listed.

Longer days, rather high daytime and moderate night-time temperatures constitute favorable conditions for appreciable growth in a short time.

When grown indoors, it can grow too large for its location and may need drastic pruning or replacing.

The plant is also sensitive to changes in other environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and relocation (citation needed).

In cultivation in the UK, this plant[15] and the variegated cultivar 'Starlight'[16] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

They conclude that its use in tree form is too large for residential planting, therefore, the species should only be used as a hedge or clipped screen.

[18] These trees are also considered a high risk for succumbing to storm gale winds in hurricane-prone South Florida.

[22] In extreme cases, Ficus sap exposure can cause anaphylactic shock in latex allergy sufferers.