how do you care for a standard ficus tree

Ficus Tree Care

• Light. Indoors or outdoors, ficus plants need bright light, but only acclimated plants can handle the direct sun.
• Soil. A ficus needs well-draining, fertile soil. ...
• Water. Overwatering can be a problem for ficus trees. ...
• Temperature and Humidity. These plants cannot tolerate low temperatures or drafts. ...
• Fertilizer. ...

Full Answer

How do you take care of a potted ficus tree?

Your Ficus prefers bright indirect light. Direct sun may burn the leaves. Water when the top 50%-75% of the soil is dry. Water until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and discard any water that has accumulated in the saucer.

How much water does a ficus tree need?

A Ficus tree needs enough water to keep the soil moist but not wet. If you’re using a potting mix, this means watering it every few days or so (depending on how much light and air circulation your plant gets). The best way to check if your Ficus needs water is to stick your finger in the soil. If it’s dry, you should add water.

How do you grow a Ficus ficus tree?

Ficus Lyrata – Known as the fiddle leaf fig tree, it has rather large leaves shaped like a violin that can reach eighteen inches in length. The Ficus tree grows well indoors in containers with a soil bed of potting mix. It should be positioned in bright indirect light or a sunny zone with partial shade.

How often should you replace the soil around a ficus tree?

If you are growing the outdoor ficus in a container, remember that the soil loses nutrients over time. Replace it every two or three years to keep the tree happy.

How do you take care of an indoor ficus tree?

Ficus plants need consistent, but moderate watering throughout the growing season, with dry spells in the winter. Make sure soil is just moist, not dry or drenched, at all times, but cut back waterings in the winter. Your plant will likely lose leaves during the winter "dry" spell.

Where should you place a ficus tree?

As a tropical plant, a ficus tree, also called "weeping fig," need lots of bright indirect light. Place it near your brightest windows, typically south- or west-facing, or give it supplemental light with a grow light. Once it's situated, leave it be. It's a little fussy and doesn't respond well to changes.

How often do you water a ficus tree?

Your ficus tree should also be watered about every three days. Don't allow the soil your ficus is growing in to dry out completely. Once the surface of the soil is dry, it's time to water the tree again.

Are ficus trees good for indoors?

Ficus trees can maintain their tree-like shape regardless of their size, so this makes them ideal for bonsais or for massive houseplants in large spaces. Their leaves can be either dark green or variegated.

Can I put my ficus tree outside?

Can I put my ficus tree outdoors? It's fine to place them outdoors in summer where they can get morning sun and afternoon shade. But never put them in full sun because they'll get a nasty sunburn! The leaves will turn white and drop, and although the plant may recover, it's just not wise to stress them like that!

How do I know if my ficus needs water?

Put your finger a couple of inches into the soil. If the top 1 inch or more is completely dry, your ficus needs water. When watering, pour the water over the entire soil surface and not just on one side.

Is a ficus easy to care for?

Ficus trees are very easy to care for once they are settled into their new environment. After they adjust to their new home, they will thrive in a spot with bright indirect light and a consistent watering schedule.

Is it normal for ficus trees to drop leaves?

A Ficus plant losing leaves is all part of a normal process in learning to care for them properly. It is not uncommon for a tree to lose 20% of its leaves during the acclimation transition.

How much sunlight does a ficus need?

six hoursIdeally, your ficus would have six hours of sunlight a day, but it will be fine even in the shade. Provide about an inch of water each week in summer the first year you plant it. Water every couple of weeks, or when the soil is dry, after that.

Are coffee grounds good for ficus trees?

Most Ficus trees prefer neutral soil – between 6.5 to 7.5 on the PH scale. Coffee grounds are a fantastic fertilizer for trees and shrubs that love acidic soil, such as blueberries; however, using this on trees like Ficus can reduce the soil's PH level to 4.

Do ficus like to be misted?

Test the spray to make sure that the water sprays out in a very fine mist. Ficus benjamina--also called benjamina ficus and weeping fig--is a woody plant that is commonly grown as a houseplant. In order to prevent the ficus benjamina from dropping its leaves, the plant owner must mist the plant.

When should I repot my ficus tree?

Repot your ficus tree in springtime, if possible. If you can wait until spring to replant your plant, leave the plant in its current pot until then. Most ficus varieties thrive best if you repot them about once a year. Indoor ficus trees are generally more adaptable to repotting, even if the season isn't ideal.

How much sun does a ficus tree need?

six hoursIdeally, your ficus would have six hours of sunlight a day, but it will be fine even in the shade. Provide about an inch of water each week in summer the first year you plant it. Water every couple of weeks, or when the soil is dry, after that.

How do I encourage my ficus to grow?

Water your ficus tree regularly throughout the growing season. Just make sure to allow the compost to dry out a bit before re-watering. Fertilize every three weeks with a well-diluted house plant feed, but only throughout the summer months. The extra nutrients will help to promote new shoots and leaves.

Why does my ficus keep dropping leaves?

Change in environment – The most common cause for dropping ficus leaves is that its environment has changed. Often, you will see ficus leaves drop when the seasons change. The humidity and temperature in your house also changes at this time and this can cause ficus trees to lose leaves.

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How much light does my ficus tree need?

As a tropical plant, a ficus tree, also called "weeping fig," need lots of bright indirect light. Place it near your brightest windows, typically south- or west-facing, or give it supplemental light with a grow light. Once it’s situated, leave it be. It’s a little fussy and doesn’t respond well to changes.

How do I care for a ficus tree?

Typically, a new ficus will come in a black plastic pot with drain holes. Simply place it into a pretty, decorative clay planter. The plant shouldn't need repotting for several years.

Can I take my ficus plant outdoors in summer?

You can, but it’s not the best idea, says Pleasant. For starters, it will likely drop leaves, being the diva that it is! It also can’t cook in hot sun, so you would need to find a shady spot. Finally, you’ll have to bring it indoors before the night temperatures drop into the 50s in the fall.

Does the ficus tree have any particular problems?

Keep an eye out for an infestation of scale insects. These insects have a waxy exterior appearance, and you might see them attached to leaf surfaces. There’s also a sticky substance called honeydew, which you’ll find on your table or floor, that’s excreted by the scale when feeding.

Ficus Trees for Your Home

Arricca Elin Sansone Arricca SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more.

How to get rid of bugs on ficus tree?

If you notice any bugs on your tree, mix the soap with water in a spray bottle and thoroughly spray your ficus. Spray both the tops and bottoms of the leaves so you get full coverage of the area. If the insecticidal soap does not work, try using neem oil or other essential oils to deter or kill the bugs .

What to use to grow ficus?

A mix of 3 parts peat moss, 1 part perlite, and 1 part compost will keep the soil well-drained while also retaining water for your ficus. Adding the compost into the pot will add nutrients to the mix as well. You can also use a well-draining potting soil if a soilless growing medium is unavailable.

How to clean ficus leaves?

1. Wipe the leaves clean with a wet cloth to remove dust every 2 weeks. If you clean your tree often, the less build-up you'll have to clean later. Wet the cloth with either tap water or distilled water. Gently wipe the leaves of your ficus individually.

How to keep a ficus?

Provide indirect sunlight for your ficus. Don't keep your ficus next to a window, door, air vent, or radiator, or else it will go through drastic temperature changes. An area with bright, indirect sunlight is the best place to keep a ficus. Ficuses do not tolerate being moved once they have settled in a location.

How to keep a ficus from dropping leaves?

To maintain humidity, place a saucer with 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) of room temperature water underneath the ficus's pot. The water will evaporate and increase the humidity.

What causes leaves to drop on a ficus tree?

Even a slight change in the climate or location can cause leaves to drop. Maintain the area at a humidity above 40 percent. Humidity is just as important as temperature and light for a ficus. If the humidity falls below 40 percent, the tree will drop leaves.

How to clean leaves from a plant?

Mist the leaves with a spray bottle. If your leaves are smaller or more delicate, spray them thoroughly so they are covered with mist. If you want to, you can use a dry cloth to wipe the mist off the leaves to fully remove any dirt or dust. Mist the leaves every couple of days as the water evaporates.

How tall is a ficus?

It is quite finicky, so be prepared for some specific care requirements. Outdoors up to 70 feet tall and 70 feet wide. Indoors six feet high and three feet wide. Indoor plants are not likely to bloom.

Why are my ficus leaves leggy?

Ficus tend toward legginess after a few years. A common problem with ficus plants is that it responds to stress by losing its leaves. Stress could be caused by any number of things including underwatering, overwatering, too little light, low humidity, change in temperature, draft, or pests.

What are the different types of Ficus?

Varieties of Ficus Plants 1 F. benajmina. The F. benjamina has narrow glossy green leaves and grows into a small shrub or tree. This plant is less tolerant of cold and shade than the rubber tree. Variegated varieties include F. benjamina variegata and F. benjamina Starlight. 2 F. elastica. The rubber tree has large, thick glossy leaves. Varieties include the F. elastica robusta with wide, large leaves and the F. elastica decora. 3 F. lyrata. The fiddle leaf fig has large, violin-shaped leaves up to 18 inches long.

Where are ficus plants native to?

Although only a few are seen in cultivation, there are hundreds of species of ficus. They are native throughout the tropics, including Asia, America, and Africa. These serve as decorative plants, food plants, and even religious symbols.

Do ficus plants get cold?

Many people experience frustration at the hands of ficus plants. They are prone to leaf drop in drafty, cold conditions, and they don't like to be moved. Ficus are also vulnerable to mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and aphids.

Can Ficus plants be moved outside?

Ficus plants need bright light, but only acclimated plants can handle the direct sun. They appreciate being moved outside in summer but do not place them in direct sunlight. Bright, direct light will scald the leaves and cause leaf loss.

Is ficus plant toxic?

While not toxic, ficus plants are a concern to those who suffer from latex allergies. There is latex in the ficus plant and they should not be kept in the same environment as latex allergy sufferers.

How to grow a Ficus plant?

Prune your Ficus to maintain the shape or to keep the plant at a manageable size. Make sure to use clean shears or clippers and cut right above a branching stem or leaf node. This will promote new growth and create a more full canopy. Under the right conditions, Ficus can grow quickly.

Why are ficus trees so popular?

The popularity of the Ficus is likely due to their commanding presence and that fact that they become more interesting as they mature.

How tall does a Ficus tree grow?

In nature, Ficus trees can grow to be 70 feet tall, but as a houseplant, expect your Ficus to top out around 6 feet tall depending on your ceiling height. Important! Ficus is poisonous if ingested, so be very careful if you have pets and/or small children.

What is a ficus plant?

Ficus plants are commonly used in home design and add effortless style to any space. Ficus can grow very quickly and if the conditions and care are right, these plants can easily graduate from a tabletop plant to a floor plant or fill an empty corner.

Can you bring a ficus outside?

Feel free to bring your Fiddle Leaf Fig, Ficus benjamina or Rubber Tree outside for the warmer months, but make sure to bring your Ficus back inside well before the temperature turns chilly. Expect some leaf loss when you move your Ficus to a new location! This is a plant that originates from tropical climates, so Ficus houseplants like to be warm and really prefer temperatures above 60-degrees F. Avoid placing your Ficus near any vents, drafty windows or exterior doors, particularly during the colder months.

Do Ficus need humidity?

Since Ficus are native to more humid climates, they need some extra dampness in the air to thrive. High humidity is necessary. Average and low humidity are absolute deal breakers and a Ficus simply cannot thrive in an environment with average or low humidity. That's not to say you cannot still enjoy the stunning beauty of a Ficus if you live in a dry climate, but you'll need to bring in a humidifier or place your Ficus on a pebble tray filled with water in order to create the ideal conditions for this houseplant.

Can you put a Ficus on a pebble tray?

That's not to say you cannot still enjoy the stunning beauty of a Ficus if you live in a dry climate, but you'll need to bring in a humidifier or place your Ficus on a pebble tray filled with water in order to create the ideal conditions for this houseplant.

Where is a Weeping Fig From Originally?

The Ficus Benjamina is native to tropical areas of East Asia, from India to northern Australia.

When is the Growing Season?

The growing season for a ficus tree is April to September. During this time, you can feed your ficus with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer. You can also use slow-releasing fertilizer pellets at the start of the growing season.

What Soil Works Best for a Weeping Fig?

Any potting mix that allows fast-draining will work for a ficus plant. You do not need to provide your ficus tree with soil that is extremely high in organic matter or nutrients, but if you are repotting, use potting soil that contains sand and vermiculite to improve the drainage.

How Much Sun Does a Ficus Plant Need?

Even though ficus trees grow in semi-shady areas in their natural habitat, they will need a bright room with indirect light in your home. Search your home for a spot where the ficus can get indirect sunlight during the day. Getting too much direct light can burn the leaves, so stay away from west-facing windows if possible.

What Temperature Works Best for a Weeping Fig?

The Ficus Benjamina thrives in higher temperature environments. Keep the temperature at 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) during the day and 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) at night. 60 degrees Fahrenheit is the minimum acceptable temperature to keep your weeping fig happy.

Does a Ficus Plant Enjoy Humidity?

Houseplants like the ficus tree generally prefer higher levels of humidity. There are a few ways to achieve high humidity if your home is on the low humidity side. You can regularly mist your weeping fig or place it on a pebble tray filled with water. Another way to produce humidity is with a humidifier in the room with the plant.

How Often Does a Ficus Plant Need Watering?

The Ficus Benjamina needs to be consistently moist but not wet. If you allow the ficus tree to sit in water, the leaves may drop, and the houseplant may develop root rot. It is good to keep a consistent watering schedule.