How to Grow and Care for Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) Indoors
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Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) prospers in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Ficus benjamina is among the popular Ficus varieties due to its elegant growth and tolerance to poor growing conditions but it does not like sudden changes in light conditions.
Sudden changes in light conditions will lead to excessive leaf fall but it settles down after getting used to the new light conditions.
Benjamin Fig bears gracefully drooping branch-lets and glossy leaves, oval with an acuminate tip. The young foliage is light green and slightly wavy, the older leaves are green and smooth. The bark is light gray and smooth but the bark of young branches is brownish.
Botanical name: Ficus benjamina
Family: Moraceae
Common name: Weeping Fig, Benjamin Fig, Ficus Tree
Origin
Ficus benjamina is native to Asia and Australia. In its native habitat, it produces small fruits favored by some birds like doves and pigeons. The ripe figs are orange-red and are edible. It is among the popular tropical foliage plants that you can grow in any space.
Size
Weeping Fig can grow to a height of 6 feet when grown indoors but in the natural habitat it grows into a large tree about 20-30 feet tall. It is one of the best tree-like plants for the home and other suitable spaces.
Flower
The inflorescences in Weeping Fig are spherical to egg-shaped and shiny green. The inflorescences has three types of flowers; male and fertile and sterile female flowers.
Varieties
There are many varieties of Weeping Fig like Variegata, Starlight, Nuda, Hawaii, Natasha and Gold Princess among others.
Air Cleaning
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Ficus benjamina was found to be among the best air-cleaning plants effective in cleaning the indoor air of xylene, toulene and trichloroethylene.
Toxicity
Ficus benjamina is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The foliage contains latex which may be of particular concern to latex allergy sufferers. Keep the plant away from latex sensitive persons.
If parts of the Weeping Fig are ingested, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. However, the fruits are edible.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to acquire Weeping Fig for your collection? You may acquire these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Ficus benjamina Care Indoors
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Benjamin Fig requires regular pruning to keep it neat, discourage pests and diseases and also encourage a bushy, compact growth. Repotting is only needed when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Weeping Fig liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to sudden leaf drop and root-rot disease and death of the plant. Learn more on how to water houseplants the correct way.
Light Requirements
Weeping Fig grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning and late afternoon direct sunshine but away from hot midday sunshine.
The plant can adapt to lower light but it will grow much slower. However, the variegated Benjamin Figs require bright light to maintain the variegation.
Ficus Tree is very sensitive to sudden changes in lighting and it may shed all the leaves, therefore avoid moving it to a new location before gradually acclimating it.
You may also grow Ficus benjamina under grow light where natural light is inadequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant is receiving light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for growing Weeping Fig is an average warmth of 16-270C. Keep it away from cold drafts to prevent sudden drop in temperature as it can lead to leaf drop.
Moderate room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Weeping Fig. It has no need for extra humidity. However, where the air is too dry especially where temperature is high, increase the humidity. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Read more on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Once in a while clean the leaves by washing them under a steady stream of water from a hose to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestation.
Fertilizer
Feed Weeping Fig monthly during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to encourage a lush growth. Stop feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.
Potting Mix
The best soil for Weeping Fig should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are perfect for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Weeping Fig at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become pot-bound. Avoid frequent repotting as it prefers to be pot-bound. Repot only when it has outgrown its current pot; when the roots begin to grow through the drainage holes.
Use a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot. Use a heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over as the plant can become top-heavy. Check out this ceramic pot with drainage hole and saucer on Amazon.
Never allow the roots of Benjamin Fig to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to leaf drop and root-rot. Large plants which may be difficult to handle, replenish the top 2-4 inches of soil with fresh soil annually.
Pruning
Pruning Weeping Fig is easy. Remove dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.
When the plant has reached maximum height or it has become leggy, cutback the branches to rejuvenate growth and encourage a bushy growth. The foliage emating from pruning can be used to propagate new plants.
Propagation
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) can be propagated during the growing season from stem-tip cuttings.
How to propagate Weeping Fig from stem-tip cuttings
Take stem-tip cuttings of about 6 inches long from a healthy Weeping Fig. Strip off the lower lower leaves but ensure that the cutting has at least 2 sets of leaves on top.
Dip the cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to enhance rooting.
Insert the cutting in moist rooting soil. Ensure the rooting container has adequate drainage to avoid getting soggy soil.
To hasten rooting of the cutting, create a mini-greenhouse by covering the set up with a clear polythene sheet or bag.
Make sure that the leaves of the cutting do not touch the sheet or bag too much by propping it up with sticks.
Place the set up in warm, well-lit spot and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges. New growth indicates that the cutting has rooted.
In about 2-4 weeks, rooting of the cutting will have taken place.
Gradually over a period of two weeks, remove the plastic bag cover to acclimatize the new plant.
In 4-6 months, there will be adequate root development and and normal care for the new Benjamin Fig can begin.
Related: How to Propagate Rubber Plant (3 Ways to Propagate Ficus elastica).
Ficus benjamina Problems
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) problems include leaf drop, yellow leaves, pests and diseases among others. Continue reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
The common pests in Weeping Fig are aphids, scale, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions. Always ensure that the plant is properly pruned to reduce the hiding places for these pests.
Diseases
Weeping Fig is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. Ensure there is free drainage of both the soil and the pot and also cut down on watering during the cold season. Learn how to treat root-rot in indoor plants.
Leaf drop
There are four possible causes of leaf drop (loss) in Weeping Fig. One possible cause of sudden leaf drop is sudden changes in the growing conditions like lighting, soggy soil among others. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
The second possible cause of leaf drop in Weeping Fig is low temperature. Protect the plant from cold drafts to avoid a drop in temperature to maintain an average warmth of 16-270C with a minumum of 120C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
The third possible cause of leaf drop in Weeping Fig is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot and ensure it is receiving bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
The fourth possible cause of leaf drop in Weeping Fig is overfeeding. Do not feed the plant during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not need it.
Related: 14 reasons why Rubber Plant is dropping leaves and how to fix them
Loss of the lower leaves
Loss of lower leaves in Weeping Fig is a normal occurence. As the plant matures, it losses the lower leaves leaving a bare stem with a crown of leaves at the top. Cut back the stem at the desired height at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth as well as encourage a bushy growth. New growth will emerge at a point below the cut.
Yellowing leaf edges
Yellowing leaf edges in Weeping Fig are due to underfeeding. Feed the plant monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing period but do not feed it in the cold period.
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