How to Grow and Care for Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) Indoors

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Botanical name: Ficus benjamina
Family: Moraceae
Common name: Weeping Fig, Benjamin Fig, Ficus Tree

Description

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) is a popular plant 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.

Size

Weeping Fig can grow to a height of 6 ft when grown indoors but in the natural habitat it grows into a large tree about 20-30 ft tall.

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.

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.

Air Cleaning

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) was found to be effective in cleaning the indoor air of common household toxins like xylene, toulene and trichloroethylene.

Varieties

There are many varieties of Weeping Fig like Variegata, Starlight, Nuda, Hawaii, Natasha and Gold Princess among others.

Toxicity

Weeping fig (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

Weeping Fig is readily available online at Etsy. Buy Weeping Fig online from Etsy.

Ficus benjamina Care Indoors

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) prospers in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil 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 in. 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.

Light Requirements

Weeping Fig grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light where natural light is inadequate.

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.

Temperature and Humidity

The best temperature for growing Weeping Fig indoors is an average warmth with a minumum of 12⁰C. Keep it away from cold draughts to prevent sudden drop in temperature as it can lead to leaf drop.

Average room humidity is ideal for Weeping Fig. It has no need for high 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 raise 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 during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant. Avoid frequent repotting as it prefers to be pot-bound.

Soil

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 like this all-purpose potting mix available at Amazon.

Repotting

Repot Weeping Fig at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become 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 disease.

Use a heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over as the plant can become top-heavy.

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 in. 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, cut back 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 in. 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.

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.

Leaf drop (loss)

There are four possible causes of leaf drop Loss) in Weeping Fig. One possible cause of sudden leaf drop is any 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 Benjamin Fig from cold draughts to avoid a drop in temperature to maintain an average warmth with a minumum of 12⁰C.

The third possible cause of leaf drop in Weeping Fig is too little light.

Move Ficus Tree to a brighter spot and ensure it is receiving bright light away from direct sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

The fourth possible cause of leaf drop in Weeping Fig is overfeeding.

Do not feed Benjamin Fig during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not need it.

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.

Pests

The common pests in Weeping Fig are Aphids, Scale Insects, Mealy Bugs and Spider Mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap. 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. Read on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.