While it is finicky, few plants are quite as flexible as the ficus.
These plants require bright light and well-draining soil.
They can be grown indoors or outdoors.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
The sap of a ficus tree is toxic to humansand pets.
They appreciate being moved outside in summer but do not place them in direct sunlight.
Bright, direct light will scald the leaves and cause leaf loss.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Soil
A ficus needs well-draining, fertile soil.
Soil-based potting mixes should work well for this plant and provide the nutrients it needs.
Avoid using soils for roses or azaleas, since these are more acidic potting soils.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Water
Overwatering can be a problem for ficus trees.
Water your indoor tree only when the first two inches of soil are very dry.
Determine if the soil is dry by sticking your index finger halfway into the soil.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Reduce the amount of watering in the winter.
In dry homes, provide plenty of ambient moisture by misting often.
Water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
Temperature and Humidity
These plants cannot tolerate low temperatures or drafts.
Any cold drafts from windows, doors, or air-conditioning units will cause harm.
They like a relatively humid environment.
Regularly mist the leaves or provide a pebble tray filled with water below the plant.
Fertilizer
Feed your ficus with slow-release pellets at the beginning of the growing season.
For the amounts and app process, follow product label instructions.
Pruning should take place in the winter when it’s not actively growing.
Wear gloves and use a sterilized, sharp pair of pruning scissors.
Cut back to just before a node so new growth can sprout.
If your ficus is overgrowing or becoming leggy, don’t be afraid to trim it back.
New leaves will quickly sprout.
Seeds can also be tough to germinate.
Propagating a ficus tree with air layering is not always a reliable method, either.
The best way topropagate a ficus treeis with astem cutting.
Repot only every other year to slow growth and keep the plant a manageable size.
Check to see if the roots are coming out of the drainage holes and if so, repot.
Repotting is best in the springtime when the plant is growing.
Use fresh,high-quality potting soilfor your repotted ficus.
Fight pests off with an insecticide, such asneem oil.
Occasionally, ficus trees will contract aleaf spot disease.
Quickly discard infected leaves on and around the plant to stop further spread of the fungus.
But the leaves could curl and turn yellow, as well, due to stressors.
That’s probably because ficus plants belong to thefig genus.
Some types of ficus trees are known as fig trees and produce the well-known fruit.
benjaminaplant is a tropical evergreen and does not bear fruit.
A ficus tree tends to be very sensitive to temperature and light changes in its environment.
That’s why if it’s moved around, it will go into shock and drop its leaves.
It has a very strong, deep, and spreading root system that helps the plant grow so large.
It’s much easier to plant a ficus tree in a pot where its size can be better managed.
Toxicity of Ficus Benjamina.
