Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig)

Instructions

Soil Preference:

1. The ficus tree requires a light well draining soil.
2. A mix of potting soil and perlite will keep the roots happiest. Or try using a 100% cactus soil mix.
3. The regular soil/perlite mix is 40% potting mix to 60% perlite.
4. A heavy soil potting mix is not recommended for Ficus plants.

Pot Size and repotting:

1. Weeping figs need to be planted in pots that fit the root size. To contain growth use a small pot that barely fits the root ball.
2. Any well draining pot can be used. It MUST have drainage.
3. Repot every second year or when roots come out the drainage holes on the pot bottom To the next pot size up.
4. When repotting always choose a pot that is 2-3 inches larger in diameter than the previous pot.

Lighting:

1. Benjamin fig plants require 6-8 hours of bright indirect sunlight everyday for optimal growth.
2. It will tolerate lower light but the plant will drop a lot of leaves, get leggy sparse branches and loose color vibrancy.
3. North or East facing sunny windows are best for this plant. A west or south window can burn the leaves.

Watering:

1. Use distilled or filtered water or let your tap water sit at least 24 hours to neutralize harmful chemicals before watering your plants.
2. Water your Ficus Benjamina when the soil is dry down an inch or so.Weeping fig plants enjoy moist not WET soil.
3. Watering is best done on a regular schedule (try weekly) so the plant is not over or under watered. Both can cause stress on the plant.
4. This plant enjoys humidity. In dry climates weeping figs will thrive with a humidifier nearby. Or put it in your kitchen or bathroom if you have adequate light and floor space.
5. In dormant winter months reduce watering as the plant will not need as much.
6. Never let this plant get wet feet. If the soil is compacted the bottom of the soil can remain wet. This encourages root rot and fungus gnats.
7. If you see yellow leaves on your ficus tree you are probably overwatering or the soil is too heavy.
8. If the tips of the leaves turn brown suspect Underwatering. Or too dry air.

Humidity Tips:

1. This plant likes a humid environment. Mimic the conditions that it came from. Keep it around 40 to 60% humidity. If you find your plant needs a bit more humidity than your home provides...
2. Add a humidifier close by the plant.
3. Pebble trays also work great to help increase humidity around your plant as evaporation occurs.
4. Grouping plants close together also helps them pick up humidity from each other as they respire.

How to Fertilize:

1. Apply a good quality fertilizer (linked in materials) once or twice a month during growing season. This plant requires fertilizer to maintain the large green leaves.
2. Decrease feedings by late Fall and allow plant to rest through the winter months.
3. Look for brown spots on the leaves of your plants. This may indicate an over concentration of salts in the roots from over feeding. It can burn the leaves.

Temperature:

1. Keep Weeping fig plants at a low of 60 Degrees F. to upward of 85 Degrees F. It enjoys consistent temperatures along with warmth and humidity.
2. AVOID cold or hot drafts from heat vents, air conditioning or cold open windows.

Pruning:

1. If your Ficus tree is too tall or leggy for your home you can prune it.
2. Cut the stem between two nodes with sharp, sterile pruners.
3. You can lightly prune back your ficus offshoots to keep the plant at your preferred height and bushiness.

Leaf Care:

1. Weeping figs enjoy occasional leaf washing. Washing the leaves periodically will keep the leaf pores (stomata) open so the plant can properly respire.
2. Leaf washing also hydrates the leaf and removes pests that are trying to set up housekeeping on your plant.
3. Wash the leaves gently with water and Neem oil on a monthly basis. Neem oil leaf shine will give the leaves a wonderful shine and deter pests.
4. Alternately, Milk is also a great leaf washer for adding shine to plant leaves.
5. Be sure to wash the leaf top and bottom.

Pests:

1. ficus trees need to be checked periodically for pests.
2. Stress by longterm overwatering, poor light, extreme temperatures and soil conditions are contributors to plant stress. And makes them more susceptible to pest damage.
3. Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, thrips and whitefly are the most common houseplant pests you will see.
4. Read our post on How to get rid of aphids and other pests with our homemade pesticide soap recipe or neems oil.
5. To minimize the possibility of pests be sure to check all nursery plants before bringing them home.
6. Quarantine all new plants until you are sure no pests live in them.

Ficus Benjamina Propagation:

1. Propagation is rather simple. The easiest methods use stem cuttings.
2. Water Propagation:
3. Take a cutting from a stem that is at least 6 inches long with healthy leaves.
4. Place cutting in jar with water, cut side down. Make sure no leaves are in the water.
5. Set the jar in well lighted area. Replace the water in the jar every 3 days or so. Root hormone can be used to speed up root growth.
6. Roots will form in 3 weeks or so.
7. Soil Propagation:
8. You can also plant the cut stem directly in moist soil.
9. Dip the stem in root hormone gel for faster growth.
10. Make sure the soil remains lightly moist until new growth establishes.
11. This will take 3 to 6 weeks.
12. Air Layering:
13. Air layering will also work for weeping fig plant propagation.
14. Roots will grow in 6-8 weeks.
15. Plant in soil when roots are at least 4 inches long.