Ficus Plants Weeping Fig Ficus Tree (Ficus benjamina): Plant Care and Growing Guide – House Plants Expert by Elyssa Goins 6 months ago by Elyssa Goins Elyssa Goins is an experienced house plant hobbyist who maintains over a hundred plants. She is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mother of four. She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has a published study in the National Social Science Association, and loves to talk about her love of plants. For the past twenty years, she's been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you. Published: September 21, 2023Last Updated on December 12, 2023 This article was fact checked. Helpful: 100% Share 0FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail 372 Table of Contents Toggle Ficus Tree DescriptionFactsTypes of Weeping FigHow To Take Care of Ficus Benjamina?Frequently Asked QuestionsConclusion The weeping fig is part of the Ficus plant genus (scientific name: F. Benjamina) and tree-like, in looks. With large arching branches and long pointed leaves, it looks attractive indoors (apart from leaves dropping). The Benjamina is one of the most popular small indoor trees from this genus that grows quite slowly and needs a grower to take particular care of a few needs (lighting, watering, etc.), which is fairly easy when you know how. View on Amazon Ficus Tree Description The weeping figs’ natural habitat is within rainforests. There’s the green leaf type and variegated, miniature-sized trees (indoor bonsai), which may only grow up to 3ft tall. A fair few other cultivars exist that have various leaf colors and patterns. Does Not Like Being Disturbed The F.benjamina really doesn’t like being moved around a home. Moving them kind of gives them a shock (they decide its time to drop leaves to produce new ones from the change in lighting, temperature, and humidity provided ), which can leave the ficus plant looking pretty bare. My advice would be to find a spot with the correct lighting (see care information below), not close to any drafts in the home (from doors or windows) and then leave it to get comfortable. Only move if you realize it is not the best place or if you really have to. Displaying A nice bright spot is their preference and somewhere with enough space for height and width growth, ready for when it matures. Large plants look great standing within corners, seated inside a patio, or near a fireplace (that is being used for decorative purposes). You are likely to have seen these displayed in hotel foyers, in offices, or in shopping malls. The smaller fig and bonsai types can sit where you find enough room (shelves, table tops) as long as there is enough bright light. Leaves, Branches, and Trunk As mentioned above, the leaves can be a shiny green, or variegated, and there are other cultivars. The pointed leaves, when grown indoors, are approximately 4 inches long and slim in width. The branches and leaves arch over, and the flexible trunk can grow in a twisted form, similar to a banyan tree and with more than one trunk from the roots. At the end of summer, you are likely to see some leaves falling, which is normal, so do not be worried about this. Air quality Most plants improve air quality to some degree. F. Benjamina is particularly good at filtering formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Facts Origin:South East Asia and Australia.Names:Weeping Fig (common). Ficus Benjamina (botanical/scientific), Ficus TreeMax Growth (approx):Height up to 10ft and miniature grown types 3ft.Poisonous for pets:Toxic to cats and dogs. Types of Weeping Fig Weeping Fig plant comes in different varieties: F. Benjamina It has narrow and glossy green leaves and it usually grows into a small shrub. Less tolerant of cold and shade than the rubber tree. F. Lyrata It has large, violin-shaped up to 18 inches long. Sometimes it is placed near the windows, living room or in the hallways. F. Elastica Ficus Elastica or rubber tree has large and thick leaves. Varieties include the F. Elastica robusta with wide, large leaves and the F. Elastica Decora. How To Take Care of Ficus Benjamina? Temperature:Room temperatures of around 65°f / 16°c — 75°f / 24°c is ideal. Try not to allow temperatures to decrease lower than 50°f / 10°c, although they can handle a bit lower without problems. Great indoor plant.Light:Bright indirect light is what keeps the Ficus Benjamina happy, which is partially shaded. A spot that receives some sun and shade during the day is great. As mentioned previously, do not move the tree, not even turning it around to prevent leaves from being shed.Watering:Allow the compost to dry to a certain extent (at the top) between each watering with tepid filtered or distilled water. Over-watering and under-watering can cause the leaves to drop. To identify the problem, check if the leaves are crispy or if they fold easily. If they fold, then the problem could be over-watering, and if crispy, the tree could be under-watered. Add enough water that can seep from the topsoil to the drainage holes at the bottom of the container and remove the leftover water to allow enough oxygen to the plant roots. Less watering in the winter is to be carried out.Soil:A fast-draining soil-less mix is advised.Re-Potting:These can be allowed to become pot-bound to a certain extent, and as mentioned above, the weeping fig tree does not like to be disturbed. I would only re-pot when necessary, which could be every couple of years when it’s growing in height and spread.Fertilizer:I would only use fertilizer once a month from April until September, which has to be diluted. October – March should be a rest period without fertilizer.Humidity:Misting the leaves in the summer is advised.Propagation:The F. benjamina is easy to propagate during summer with a few inches of good branch cuttings (from the tip), placed into soil.Grooming and pruning:Your growing tree will enjoy having old leaves removed and pruned to the size that suits its indoor living space, especially if it is healthy and growing well where it now sits. Pruning is best done after summer and before the next spring. View on Amazon Frequently Asked Questions What is the maximum growth of a Weeping Fig plant? These plants can grow up to 10ft in their regular sizes in the wild, but the miniature variations, which are more likely to be household plants, can reach up to 3ft. Are Ficus Benjamina air purifying? Yes – these plants are perfect for removing toxins and pollutants from your indoor space. They are known to purify the air from formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. These are all common pollutants that can be found in carpets and furniture. Should I be pruning my Weeping Fig? As previously mentioned, this plant will remove its old leaves on its own, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a helping hand. Pruning some of the older leaves can help your Ficus Benjamina grow. It is advised that pruning take place between late summer and the following spring. Are Weeping Fig plants poisonous? Yes – the Weeping Fig should be kept away from all pets and children. Also, if you’re an adult that suffers from allergies, this plant may be one to avoid. Can I use coffee grounds on my Ficus Benjamina? You can use coffee grounds but only in small amounts. As a large tree, these plants love the nitrogen in coffee grounds, but you must remember that the smaller varieties won’t appreciate large quantities of coffee grounds. Should I mist my Weeping Fig? If the humidity levels in your house are low, or you’ve placed your Weeping Fig in a centrally heated room, it’s encouraged that you mist it regularly. Just watch out for signs of overwatering. Conclusion The Weeping Fig plant is a great indoor decorative piece. Its tree-like features make it unique as a potted plant, and its slow-growing nature makes it a very manageable and chilled-out plant. Originating from the rainforest, this easy indoor plant uses varied sunlight and decent amounts of water. Make sure to position this plant in a spot that gets a mixture of sunlight and shade throughout the day. The important thing you need to remember is not to move this plant once it’s settled, so choose wisely first-time round! You should allow the topsoil to dry out before you rewater your plant. If you’re unsure whether your plant is getting too little or too much water, the leaves can be a great indicator. If the leaves are flexible and fold, it’s receiving too much water. So, if they’re crispy and feel dry, you need to increase the amount of water you’re giving your Ficus Benjamina plant. Weeping Figs are fussier about their living conditions than other houseplant varieties and will drop their leaves if they’re unhappy. They need consistent temperatures, a mixture of sunlight, and a regular watering routine. Be sure to keep your plant away from draughts and dark areas, it won’t be happy! The best time to buy a new indoor Fig plant is during the spring when the temperature and humidity levels are best. This way, you can get a great head start. When humidity starts to waver, misting your leaves is recommended. If you are interested in houseplants, you can check out Poinsettia, Lycaste Orchid, Madagascar Jasmine, Zebra Plant, and African Violet. Was this helpful? Submit Cancel Thanks for your feedback! Elyssa GoinsElyssa Goins is an experienced house plant hobbyist who maintains over a hundred plants. She is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mother of four. She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has a published study in the National Social Science Association, and loves to talk about her love of plants. For the past twenty years, she’s been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you. Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail previous post Golden Pothos (epipremnum aureum): Plant Care and Growing Guide – House Plants Expert next post Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta): Plant Care and Growing Guide – House Plants Expert 0 0 votes Article Rating Subscribe Login Notify of new follow-up comments new replies to my comments Label Name* Email* Website Δ Label Name* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. 3 Comments Oldest Newest Most Voted Inline Feedbacks View all comments Linda Berg 7 months ago Hi Luisa, I must sell my weeping fig as we have moved and there is not room for it here. It is 8′ tall and 6′ wide with a braided trunk and very healthy. Would it be possible to use your description and care instructions in my ad so buyers know what to expect and how to take care of their new tree? Over the past three or four years it has had an odd symptom of dropping yellow leaves that have a brown spot on them. I haven’t found the pest or the reason, but last spring when I moved it outside I found tiny brownish-grey worm-like pests in the water tray. Have you seen this before and how should I treat it? I recently used peroxide water to water it. Elyssa Goins Author Reply to Linda Berg 7 months ago Your spotting is probably fungal, you can try a Bordeaux mixture. For the worms the peroxide may be enough to do it, I’d do that for a couple weeks and see if they go away. Insecticide would do it for sure if you want to treat that way. Dean 5 months ago Very helpful advice and tips. So my yellow leaves do not bend they crack so it under watering. I water from the base in the tray once a week. Each month I put a few drops of miracle grow. Looks like I need to feed from the top and mist in the summer months. Mine is on the window sill. About 4 ft tall. Yellow leaves only affect younger leaves. Top leaves are getting bigger.
