Vijgenplant of vioolbladplant? Wat is het verschil?

Fig plant or fiddle-leaf plant? What’s the difference?

April 28, 2026

Anyone who has ever bought a houseplant or searched online for ‘fig tree’ will no doubt have come across the confusion between Ficus lyrata (fiddle-leaf fig) and the fig tree. This is understandable, as although they belong to the same plant family, that is pretty much where the similarities end.

What exactly is a fig plant?

By the term ‘fig plant’, most people mean Ficus carica. This is the plant you know for its edible figs. The fig plant produces real, edible fruit (figs) and is suitable for growing outdoors. In the Netherlands, this plant thrives in sunny spots but loses its leaves in winter. It is a true fruit plant and therefore not a typical houseplant.

About the Ficus lyrata

The Ficus lyrata has large, striking leaves shaped like a violin and is mainly used as a decorative houseplant. Unlike the fig tree, it does not produce edible figs. It is an evergreen plant which, as long as it is kept indoors, retains its leaves all year round. This plant is native to tropical regions, which means it is not suited to the British outdoor climate.

Why are they so often confused?

The confusion between these plants is mainly due to the name ‘Ficus’. Both plants belong to the same genus, also known as the fig family. As a result, many people automatically assume that every Ficus is a fig plant. In reality, this is not the case: not every Ficus produces edible figs, and not every ‘fig plant’ is suitable as a houseplant.

The differences at a glance

There are clear differences between the fig tree (Ficus carica) and the weeping fig (Ficus lyrata). The fig tree is mainly used as a fruit-bearing plant, whereas the weeping fig is a houseplant. Whilst the fig tree produces edible fruit, the weeping fig does not. Their growing conditions also differ: the fig tree grows outdoors, for example in the garden or on a balcony, whilst the weeping fig (in the UK) can only survive indoors. Furthermore, they have different leaf types: the fig plant has palmate leaves, whilst the fiddle-leaf fig is known for its large, fiddle-shaped leaves. Finally, there is a difference in winter behaviour: the fig plant loses its leaves in winter, whilst the fiddle-leaf fig remains green.