how to grow ficus benjamina

Ficus Benjamina trees have the reputation of being temperamental, high-light plants, but today there are new hardy varieties that grow in almost any location. There are several different cultivars of Ficus benjamina to choose from. F. elastica. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 193,616 times. Any fluctuation in light, temperature, or water would cause a hundred leaves to … A great thing about this plant is that it can actually look like a tree, regardless of its size. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Because the ficus doesn't like dry air, keep it away from vents, air exchanges, radiators, heaters, and anything else that could cause a draft. If you do have to move the ficus, or choose to take it outside for the warmer seasons, it may take the plant a few weeks to recover from the move, but it will survive. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Easily cultivated both indoors and out, the weeping fig – or Ficus benjamina – is one of the most popular houseplants in the world.. How to care for a weeping fig: Weeping figs should be grown in bright light at 65 to 75 °F, in fast draining soil. You can make your own bug killing solution by adding two teaspoons of mild liquid soap such as Dawn® or Castile® to one quart of water. It increases drainage and prevents waterlogging, which is a plant killer. Ficus prefer well-draining soils, containing mostly sand and other arrogates. References This shouldn’t be a problem, though, if you desire to have a smaller plant because it is very easy to tame, and it tolerates heavy pruning very … After that, apply a balanced indoor plant fertilizer as directed every month or so during the growing season. Mine lost its leaves when it was exposed to freezing temps when we moved. Varieties of Ficus Plants . Do I need to put gravel into the bottom of the pot when it is transplanted? [1] X Research source You don't want the sprig to be a brand new shoot, but it also shouldn't be too old either. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Weeping ficus or fig is one of the most popular houseplants found in homes, offices, and interior landscaping. Ficus trees contain a toxic milky sap, so don't add cuttings to the compost. Many thanks! That's always helpful. Keep the soil just moist during the summer, and a little dryer in winter. Plus, Orders Over $99 Ship for Free. They don’t have to be exactly in front of that window. Find a stem that has healthy, shiny green leaves and is mature. In winter, a warm and bright bathroom or room with a skylight is ideal for the ficus. If left in the same pot, ficus benjamina may develop aerial roots. When grown indoors the Ficus benjamina tends to grow very slowly. It has few pests, and those are easily controlled with natural pesticides. Avoid extreme temperature changes and keep your plant away from drafts. Fig tree plants like moderately moist soil. Dark green leaf tips end in slender twisted points. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This type of ficus has many varieties, which differ in the size of leaves, color, shape and pace of growth. Weeping fig is one of the best plants for improving air qua… Approved. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Ficus trees do best in bright indirect light, such as in front of a north- or east-facing window or a window that faces south or west whose light is filtered with a sheer curtain. In general the sunnier the place you grow Ficus, the better. Pinch off the top of the main stem when the tree has reached the desired height. Will the leaves that fall off be replaced with new ones, or will the branch stay bare? Examine the stem from the top down. When it is necessary to repot, choose a container a couple of inches larger until the desired size of your tree is reached. This plant is commonly referred to as “Ficus” or “Ficus tree”. For best results grow Ficus benjamina in a loam-based compost in full light, but not direct sun. What am I doing wrong? I'm sure it is some kind of pest. Ficus to turn into an even more attractive plant that can be planted in one pot three young plants and stems weave them together. Fig tree plants like moderately … Best to leave it alone, water it when it's dry and give it access to shaded daylight. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Firstly, on the parent plant, select the stem you wish to take a cutting from. How to Care for a Ficus Tree. Be sure to pick a container with a drainage hole, as too much water may lead to root rot. Re-potting your Ficus benjamina bonsai. Choose a pot that's one size up (about 2 inches (5 cm) larger in diameter) from the current pot, Fill the pot halfway with fresh, well-draining, soil-based potting mix, Gently wiggle the ficus loose from its current pot, Cover the roots and bottom of the stem with more soil. Weeping fig thrives in low light and only needs minimal fertilization. Allow … If you see bugs, identify them and treat it according to the type. What should I do? Inspect the leaves and young stems regularly, and if signs of infestation occur, spray or wipe down the leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ideally, you should choose a stem that needs to be pruned already. A free-draining potting mix is essential. The Ficus benjamina, also known as the weeping fig, Benjamin fig or Ficus tree is popular as a decoration for offices and homes. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Of all the species in the genus Ficus, this one is the best for indoor cultivation. After root pruning, replant your Ficus benjamina with fresh potting medium. Without any knowledge, I learned in a few minutes from your site how to take care of it, and therefore I don't have any more questions, as the article totally covered everything! They may produce light yellow seasonal flowers that eventually turn to berries. ", "It helped me a lot. The undergrowth had new leaves beginning but since bringing it home they have all fallen off. A popular member of the genus Ficus – Benjamin (Ficus benjamina) – a known houseplant, referring to the mulberry family – with a spreading crown and small leaves of different colors. In fall and winter, water the plant less often, and let the soil dry to a depth of a few inches (several centimeters) before watering. Last Updated: March 10, 2020 Yes, unless you keep the room refrigerator cold. Bonsai styling by pruning. "I had no idea what the Ficus trees were and just got one at the store unexpectedly, like something pushed me to do, "It is amazing because I found everything I wanted about starting a new ficus plant and how to grow it successfully. Allow the top layer of soil to dry before watering again. New plants will adjust to a new environment. When you've added the soil, gently tap the pot against a flat surface a few times to help settle the soil around the roots. Select a healthy sprig for cutting. The easiest way to propagate ficus is to take a cutting from either your hedge or indoor tree. Ficus trees can get by with less light than almost any other indoor tree. If artificial light is all that’s available, provide at least 400 foot-candles. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Ficus Benjamina is famous for dropping all its leaves - do not panic, it will recover. The F. benjamina has narrow glossy green leaves and grows into a small shrub or tree. Without enough light, the plant will grow long, leggy stems and appear rangy. Some of the leaves are curling up and falling off. After that, apply a balanced indoor plant fertilizer as directed every month or so during the growing season. Name – Ficus benjamina Family – Moraceae (mulberry family) Type – indoor plant. The original indoor ficus, Ficus benjamina, lost leaves if you just looked at it. All Rights Reserved • Disclaimer, Growing Edible Fig Trees Indoors During Winter. Water your ficus often enough, so that the soil stays evenly moist, but not soggy. The best cutting will be a small sprig that's at least 6 inches (15 cm) long, and with a few leaves on it. Ficus benjamina is certainly one of the favorite plants all around, and deserves to be taken care of diligently.. Make sure that you only use the non-woody shoots from the tree as your cutting. It is sometimes confused with Ficus microcarpa, which is actually less weepy and more upright. Try growing one in your homescape! Yellowing leaves or … Sources. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The leaves will be replaced with new. The cutting will quickly dry out and die if you don't remove most of the leaves, because the plant will put too much energy into keeping the leaves alive. It can cause a rash if you get it on your skin. Just remove the dead leaves with your fingers. These outer roots will grow outside of the branches on the above ground parts of the fig plant. This plant is less tolerant of cold and shade than the rubber tree. Check out our other blogs on Growing Edible Fig Trees Indoors During Winter and Caring for Indoor Plants. Common name(s): Weeping Fig, Benjamin’s Fig and others; Family: Moraceae; Stem cuttings: yes; Leaf cuttings: no; Root cuttings/runners: no Height – 10 feet (3 meters) indoors, 100 feet (30 meters) outdoors Soil – indoor plant soil mix Exposure – bright light but no direct sunlight Most of the branches did die, and I pruned them out. A cutting of about 4-6 inches in length is perfect. Ficus Diseases, Plant Diseases, Penn State Extension; How to Care for Ficus Benjamina; Caring for Bonsai Ficus Trees; This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a … Prune back branches that are too long. The sap of fig plants can be irritating to the skin and cause a severe reaction in hypersensitive people and pets. For houseplants, water the plant thoroughly until water comes through the drainage holes. Be very careful with the sap that comes from the ficus. It is native to warmer climates like India and Australia, but can easily be grown as an indoor houseplant in cooler climates. Don't put the ficus directly in front of a window air conditioner or other air conditioning vent. Do any repotting and pruning in spring so the tree will have a whole growing season to recover. Feed your ficus with houseplant fertilizer every six months. It was originally 3 feet tall and most of the branches had to be cut back to only 4 or 5 inches. Apply fertilizer to your … But you may need to provide shaded relief from the afternoon sun in very hot and bright areas. The ficus benjamina, also known as a weeping fig, is a popular indoor tree due to how easy it is to grow, and it's relatively low maintenance. These differ mainly in the size, shape, color, and variegation of the leaves. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Grow-a-Ficus-Benjamina-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-a-Ficus-Benjamina-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Grow-a-Ficus-Benjamina-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid5256-v4-728px-Grow-a-Ficus-Benjamina-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"