Description
This Tropical Rainforest Tree Is a Lush Addition to Interiors
Belonging to the Fig Genus, the Ficus Tree is a very popular and appealing plant. With hundreds of species, the plant catches the attention of many. Nonetheless, very few can be found in cultivation. They are native to many regions of the tropics, mostly including America, Asia, and Africa.
Known by many names, some Ficus Trees are also referred to as fig trees, producing a well-known and enjoyable fruit.
Other common names are Ficus Benjamina (a variety of the plant) and weeping fig. Inside your home, the ficus can be a marvelous specimen plant that is abundant with lush foliage. However, to ensure that the plant thrives throughout the year, you must adhere to some specific care routines.
Caring for your Ficus Benjamina
People will often struggle when it comes to caring for the Weeping Ficus plant. These plants are not very resilient to cold conditions and respond to drafty conditions by shedding their leaves.
Not to mention, they do not fare well if you move them too much. Not only are they vulnerable to pests and infestation, but their tropical habitat means that you have to provide them with a particular environment if you wish to grow them indoors.
Light
The plant, in general, requires bright light; however, this does not mean that they will benefit if you place them under direct sunlight. The only plants that can withstand direct sunlight are the acclimated ones. You have to, therefore, make sure that they get high-intensity light, but not to the level of direct sunlight. Light is extra important for this plant to reduce leaf loss in its new home. If you don’t have a bright enough location, try the Ficus benjamina ‘Danielle’ instead which can tolerate lower light conditions.
Water
The watering requirement to keep the ficus tree indoors changes according to the seasons. For instance, in the winters, it requires less watering compared to the summers. Moreover, since the plant is from a tropical habitat, it requires plenty of moisture to thrive.
Therefore, if your indoor atmosphere is very dry, your plant may suffer. To keep the moisture levels high, you will have to resort to misting and watering to keep the plant healthy. Also, make sure to check the soil after you water the plant and make sure that the roots do not dry.
Soil and Fertilizer
A ficus needs very fertile and nutrient-rich soil. Along with that, it also requires good pot drainage. Make sure that you do not use potting soils that are too acidic, and use soil-based potting mixes.
When feeding your ficus, slow-release pellets can work well at the beginning of the growing season. They have a rapid growth rate, and this means that you can benefit from feeding them in spring and summer. This also implies that you can slow down the fertilization in the colder seasons.
Common Issues (Pests and Disease)
Apart from being vulnerable to mites, whiteflies, and other insects, they also respond poorly to even the slightest changes in the conditions. Any stress will result in the loss of leaves, which is why you have to be thorough and precise when caring for this plant.
Pruning
Pruning the ficus tree is important. It keeps the plant in shape and, in some cases, prevents it from outgrowing the indoor space.
It is best to prune this plant during the winter season. This is the time in which the plant is not actively growing. When pruning, cut a few inches from a node to maximize sprouting success.
Propagation
Air layering is the preferred propagation method for the ficus. In this method, you have to wrap the stem with damp moss to encourage root growth.
Potting / Repotting
When you provide a ficus plant with adequate conditions and a healthy environment, it will easily outgrow your house, let alone the pot.
Keep in mind that this plant, in its natural habitat, is a surface tree. Repotting every other year can help slow the plant’s growth and keep it at a size that you can manage.
Greg King (verified owner) –
Lost some leaves in transportation, lost a few leaves since it arrived. New leaves are starting 😊. It looks nice coming to Salt Lake City from Miami on a truck.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
John F. (verified owner) –
Not as tall as “extra large” was described. But, beautiful and healthy.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
So far so good. I hope it lives from being crammed in the small box. Also there were clear directions for “this end up” and it was laying horizontal in the hot sunshine when I found it on my patio.
Judy (verified owner) –
Beautifully packed. Plant arrived in good condition and has only lost a few leaves.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Love it !!! Great communication and instructions on how to take good care of your plant from the moment that it arrives.
Wendy (verified owner) –
I would have given it a 5 but the top looked like it sat in a box for awhile! Smashed upwards! The tree is beautiful but the pot it came in is very cheaply made! Thin and bendable plastic! I just hope it stays as pretty and healthy as it is today! Received it about 4 hours ago!
Karen Gordon (verified owner) –
I am so happy with my ficus trees! They arrived in beautiful condition and very well packaged. Prior to my order shipping, I received an email from PlantVine telling me they were delaying shipping due to weather in my area. They would not ship until we had consistently warmer temperatures. I was so impressed with this, none of the other companies I have ordered from have this policy. Healthy plants and they plan ahead for weather issues! Great job PlantVine! I will be ordering again!
Theresa (verified owner) –
My plants are going well…
Guillermo Castro (verified owner) –
Nice plant. A little shorter than I expected but good overall
William (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Absolutely perfect. Packaging was beyond perfect.
Carol J. (verified owner) –
Cameron (verified owner) –
Allison (verified owner) –
Exactly as pictured. Plant was packed very well. Shipment took a little over a week from the ship date, so it about 2 weeks total after I ordered.
Karla D. (verified owner) –
The ficus is gorgeous and very healthy
Megan Putman (verified owner) –
I purchased this sweet little tree to gift my daughter with for Christmas as she’s always loved mine. My ficus tree is now huge! I bought it when I was 24 years old, the same age my daughter is now. Ficus trees have a connection with the person who cares for them. I cannot wait to see how big it gets in her care. Thank you for such a beautiful plant!
TERESA (verified owner) –
Only had the plant a few days but seems healthy. Only dropped about 5 leaves — understandably.
Gail Meredith (verified owner) –
Two beautiful new Ficus trees delivered promptly to AZ from FL in perfect condition— so happy to find you as I have been looking for these trees for quite some time—will definitely be ordering from you again
Mary Beth (verified owner) –
My braided Benjamin Ficus arrived looking so full and healthy and happy! I was a bit concerned about how it would fare during shipping, but very few leaves dropped and the plant arrived in great shape!
Shannon Anderson (verified owner) –
The plan is fine BUT the box was destroyed. It was totally torn apart when it was delivered. I emailed the company but no reply as of yet
Nath McCullough (verified owner) –
Very pleased. Look very healthy.
Verified Buyer (verified owner) –
My plant is beautiful, healthy I am so happy with it…thank you for being a company which really cares about how you deliver on your promises.
Judith Winebrenner (verified owner) –
Plant arrived in great condition, healthy, new growth, would definitely order from you again, would highly recommend your company.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Sarah Oldershaw (verified owner) –
I sent this plant to my mom for Mother’s day and she reported that it arrived in very good condition and she loved it!
Leah B. (verified owner) –
Gorgeous plant delivered for our Mom for Mother’s Day! The communication from PlantVine was phenomenal, 10/10 recommend!
Kurt Shelley (verified owner) –
Valerie Roberts (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Notification to ship took 10 days as expected, but the tree arrived safe and sound. It was securely packed and I will order from this company again.