Find out how to keep Ficus benjamina, also known as weeping fig, healthy and happy in your indoor garden. See time stamps below to find out about watering, fertilizing, lighting, and more.
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Today’s plant-care video is about Ficus benjamina, also known as the weeping fig. You can see one here on the table, and there’s a larger one to the left on the screen.
Ficus benjamina is an evergreen tree that grows outdoors in tropical and subtropical climates. It’s also widely grown indoors as a houseplant and makes a beautiful indoor tree that brings a forest-like feeling into your home. It’s commonly used in commercial interior landscaping because of its elegant form and arching branches. With proper care, it can live 20–50 years indoors.
The plant has slender, gracefully arching branches and a gray-green trunk that becomes more gray as it matures. The stems are woody, not soft. Indoors, the plant typically grows 3–6 feet, though with staking and training it can reach 10–12 feet or more.
Lighting
Ficus benjamina needs a bright room with plenty of indirect light. They’re not suited for dark homes unless you use full-spectrum grow lights. Minimum acceptable light is medium-bright, right on the edge of bright light.
These plants do not like being moved, and frequent relocation can cause leaf drop. Find a suitable location using a light meter or by testing another plant in the same spot.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, as overwatering leads to root rot. They will drop leaves if underwatered.
Water when a moisture meter reads around 4, and use warm or tepid water. Reduce watering slightly in winter.
Humidity
Being tropical, they appreciate humidity but don’t require extremely high levels. They do well at 40–55%, though lower humidity may require additional support.
Ways to increase humidity:
Humidity trays
Regular misting
Grouping plants
Humidifiers
Using a hygrometer to monitor humidity and temperature
Ideal temperatures are 65–70°F at night and 75–80°F during the day. Keep them away from heating and AC vents.
Fertilizing
Ficus benjamina is a heavy feeder. Use organic fertilizer monthly from spring through fall. Organics have lower NPK values such as 4-4-4 or 5-5-5, which helps prevent fertilizer burn.
If the plant drops leaves despite proper care, it may need magnesium or manganese. Some organic fertilizers include these micronutrients.
Pruning
Prune in late winter before new spring growth. Remove dead, crossing, or undesired branches. Never prune more than one-third of the plant at once, and wait 2–3 months between prunings. Always use sharp pruners to prevent disease and jagged cuts.
Repotting
This plant grows quickly and may need repotting every 1–2 years, ideally in spring or early summer. Use a high-quality, humus-rich, well-draining soil that retains moisture but doesn’t stay soggy.
Pests
Common pests include scale and mealybugs, both of which can cause leaf drop. Scale is especially common and leaves behind a sticky residue.
Control methods:
Neem oil
Horticultural oil
Rinsing or showering the plant every 6–12 months
Letting plants sit in a gentle rain
Ficus benjamina is also an effective air-cleaning plant.
They are popular for bonsai and sometimes sold with braided trunks.
Ficus benjamina Care FAQ
How much light does a Ficus benjamina need?
It needs bright, indirect light and does poorly in low-light areas. Medium-bright is the lowest acceptable range. Full-spectrum lighting can be used in darker homes.
Why is my Ficus benjamina dropping leaves?
Leaf drop can be caused by underwatering, overwatering, low humidity, cold drafts, moving the plant too often, or micronutrient deficiencies such as magnesium and manganese.
How often should I water a Ficus benjamina?
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when a moisture meter reads around 4, and reduce watering slightly in winter.
What humidity level does Ficus benjamina require?
It prefers 40–55% humidity. Increase humidity through misting, grouping plants, humidity trays, or a humidifier.
When should I prune my Ficus benjamina?
Prune in late winter before new spring growth. Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at once.
How often should I repot a Ficus benjamina?
Repot every 1–2 years during spring or early summer using well-draining, humus-rich soil.
What pests commonly affect Ficus benjamina?
Scale and mealybugs are the most common. Treat with neem oil, horticultural oil, or by rinsing the plant regularly.
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