I’ve always said that if you look at a Ficus benjamina, or Weeping Fig, cross-eyed, it’ll start to drop leaves. Actually, many things make this fickle tree defoliate.
Ficus Bejamina Houseplant Care
Here in Southern California they grow outdoors (best to keep them away from foundations, sewer lines & sidewalks by the way) and look full, green and happy as can be but indoors is another story.
So, if you ever struggled to keep 1 looking good in your home, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone!
The reason why Ficus bejaminas are so fickle is that they’re very sensitive to any kind of change. If you move them, they shed leaves. When the seasons change bringing a change in light and temperature, if you over or under water them, if they’re exposed to a draft or put in front of a heater or air conditioner all signal leaf drop and stress for this very popular indoor tree.
Although the Weeping Fig is the most commonly seen tree indoors, it is not an easy houseplant to keep alive and looking good. And that is exactly why I didn’t include it in my houseplant care book Keep Your Houseplants Alive. Good news – If you crave an indoor tree, you will find the easier to maintain Ficus elastica and lyrata in the book.
Some Of Our General Houseplant Guides For Your Reference:
- Guide To Watering Indoor Plants
- Beginner’s Guide To Repotting Plants
- 3 Ways To Successfully Fertilize Indoor Plants
- How to Clean Houseplants
- Winter Houseplant Care Guide
- Plant Humidity: How I Increase Humidity For Houseplants
- Buying Houseplants: 14 Tips For Indoor Gardening Newbies
- 11 Pet-Friendly Houseplants
I’m hanging out in the greenhouse with a sea of Ficus benjaminas:
Light
High. This is an outdoor tree after all.
Water
A thorough watering every 10-14 days. Keep the watering routine as except as possible except in the winter when you back off a bit.
Temperature
Again, as even as possible. If you house is comfortable to you, it will be comfortable for your indoor plants too.
Pests
Most susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites & thrip. You probably see an outbreak of some sort when you turn your heat on.
Ficus bejaminas are exterior landscape trees which can reach 50′ tall and have extensive root systems. Here in Santa Barbara they are look nice and full and are happy growing in the coastal sunshine.
I’ve honestly never seen a Weeping Fig looking fabulous in anyone’s home (now, atriums are a different story) and having been in the interior plantscaping trade, I’ve seen a lot of them. Caring for them indoors is a different story, but if you like a challenge, give the Weeping Fig a go!
Here’s my neighbor’s Ficus benjamina pruned in a lollipop shape.
Another Weeping Fig growing here in Santa Barbara. See how dense & glossy green their crowns get? Most of them indoors don’t look like this!
