Weeping fig Care Instructions
Scientific Name: Ficus benjamina
Synonyms: Benjamin Fig, Ficus Tree
The Weeping Fig, celebrated for its graceful, drooping branches and elegant silhouette, is a standout choice for indoor plant display. This lovely tree, originally from the warm climates of Asia and Northern Australia, makes a striking indoor plant with its lush yet delicate tropical appeal. Under the right conditions, Weeping Figs can reach impressive heights of 1.8 meters to 3 metres indoors, adding both height and visual interest to any space. The tree’s slender, arching branches are adorned with glossy, deep-green leaves that bring a sense of sophistication to any indoor space, which makes them a popular choice for homes and offices alike.
Weeping Figs are also valued for their air-purifying qualities, as they can help reduce indoor toxins, promoting a healthier environment.
To thrive, Weeping Figs require bright, indirect light and prefer a warm, stable environment with high humidity. These plants can be sensitive to environmental changes, which may lead to leaf drop—a common trait of the Ficus family. However, with steady care, minimal relocation, and consistent watering practices, the Weeping Fig can adapt beautifully to indoor spaces.
For a stylish display, place this tree near a well-lit area but away from direct sunlight, which could scorch its leaves, and pair it with a basket or planter that both allows your plant and the space to shine.
Please note: Ficus have a latex that causes skin irritation. Keep out of reach of pets and children.
Weeping Fig Common Symptoms
- Yellowing Leaves: This is often caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Be sure to check in frequently and to allow the soil to reach near dry before watering. Make sure that your planter has drainage holes, and that they are clear of any buildup preventing sufficient drainage. Read here for our Beginners Guide to watering.
- Brown Leaf Tips: Lack of humidity and inconsistent watering will cause brown leaf tips on your weeping Fig. This is easily remedied by increasing the humidity around your plant and checking in on watering frequently to avoid bone dry potting soil.
- Drooping Leaves: If your Ficus is showing signs of random drooping and you are keeping up with consistent watering. Then check in on humidity; most Ficus love average to high humidity and can show signs of droop when the air is very dry. This can be remedied by placing your plant on a pebble tray, near a humidifier or clustering with other plants.
- Leaf Drop: Ficus plants are sensitive to changes in temperature, light, and humidity, so it's important to find a stable spot for them and avoid moving them around too often. If your Ficus is shedding leaves after being brought home from the nursery, it may be reacting to environmental changes. Read on to learn how to help your plant adjust and minimise leaf drop.
- Bare Stems: As houseplants grow and mature, it’s natural for them to shed older leaves, especially those lower on the plant. However, high levels of stress and inconsistent care can cause excessive leaf drop, leading to a bare, weak appearance. To keep your plant thriving, check in regularly and ensure it has a stable, bright, and warm environment.
- Leaf discolouration: Faded or pale-looking foliage, or leaf scorching, can be caused by direct exposure to the sunlight or too close to a window. For best results move the plant to a location with bright, indirect light, where your Weeping fig will receive adequate light without being in harsh direct sunlight for long periods of time.
- Pests: Scale and Spider mite are the most common pests to invade a Fiddle Leaf. Look out for small brown insects that cling to stems and leaves, secreting a sticky residue on the plant which will indicate scale. If webbing appears between branches and leaves, it’s a tell-tale sign of a spider mite invasion. Educate on Houseplant Pest Identification, Prevention and Treatment here.
How To Deal with Leaf Loss in Ficuses
If you are struggling with leaf loss in your Ficus, just note that this is often a normal response to a change in environment and can mean anything from the plant leaving our shop to being placed in your home, which are 2 completely different climates and positions. So, what is happening is actually pretty normal for these kinds of plants, and they can take up to 3 months to get used to their new environment.
Here is a guide on how to help your plant transition through this phase:
- Ensure Consistent Watering: Ficus plants are sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering. Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogging. Check the soil regularly, and water only when the 6 cm to 10 cm feels dry; this could be between 7 and 10 days, though I would check in around every 10 days for best results. If it is a big plant with a lot of soil, this can take longer to dry out. Consistent moisture helps prevent stress and leaf drop. Also, make sure that there is no water sitting in the tray after 15 minutes after being watered. Consistency is key!
- Maintain Stable Temperatures Ficus plants dislike sudden changes in temperature. Avoid placing your plant near cold drafts, heating vents, or air conditioning units. Keep the temperature steady, ideally between 15-24°C, to reduce shock. If you have a tiled living space, this can be tricky with fluctuations in temperature due to the weather. In time, as the weather stabilises, things should improve.
- Gradually Adjust Light Exposure: Ficus plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Sudden changes in lighting, such as moving from low light to direct sun, can shock the plant and cause leaf drop. Gradually introduce your Ficus to brighter light over a few days to help it acclimatise. Find a position where the plant can get some direct but soft morning sunlight for a maximum of 3 hours; the soft sun will help boost photosynthesis and help with faster recovery. Make sure to place it at least 30 cm away from a window where the light is shining through, as the window can act like a magnifying glass.
- Increase Humidity: Low humidity can stress Ficus plants, especially in dry indoor environments. Boost humidity by misting the leaves regularly, placing a pebble tray under the plant (this is a tray filled with pebbles and a little water), or using a humidifier to maintain a comfortable environment. Humidity is key here!
- Avoid Frequent Relocation: Ficus plants are sensitive to being moved, which can result in shock and leaf drop. Once your Ficus is in a suitable location, avoid relocating it unless absolutely necessary. If moving is required, do so gradually to let the plant adjust. Hence, please only move it to where it can get better light.
- Feed Lightly with a Seaweed fertiliser: Fertilise your Ficus sparingly during the growing season (spring and summer) using a seaweed-based fertiliser like Kelpak, which is high in added growth hormones and assists plants with stress recovery. If the plant has dropped many leaves, prune lightly to encourage new growth and help the plant focus energy on recovery.
Weeping Fig Care Instructions
- Origin: Southeast Asia, Northern Australia
- Size: It can grow as big as 3 metres indoors; however, it can be kept small with strategic pruning.
- Light: Bright, indirect light is best; tolerates medium light but may drop leaves.
- Water: Keep soil moist to the touch, allowing the top 6-10 cm of potting mix to dry out. Avoid bone dry or overly soggy potting soil.
- Humidity: Prefers average to high humidity.Place in an area with naturally high humidity or on a pebble tray.
- Temperature: Ideal range is 15-24°C; avoid cold drafts.
- Soil: well-draining potting mix that holds on to some amount of water.
- Fertiliser: Feed once a month with a well balanced fertiliser for indoor plants.
- Pruning: For Ficus Benjamina, it's normal for older leaves to shed as the plant matures. However, excessive leaf drop can occur due to stress, like changes in light, temperature, or watering. To maintain a lush, healthy appearance, prune your Ficus in early spring to shape it and encourage fuller growth. Pruning in early spring allows the plant to recover and thrive during the active growing season. Regular pruning also helps prevent legginess, especially after significant leaf loss. Ensure your plant receives consistent care with bright, indirect light, stable warmth, and regular watering to minimise any stress.
- Repotting: Repotting your Ficus Benjamina is best done every 2-3 years, or sooner if you notice the roots outgrowing their pot. This is best done during spring, when the plant is entering its active growth phase. Be sure to choose a pot only 3 cm to 5 cm larger than it’s previous home to avoid root rot from excess moisture retention. It's very important to handle the roots with care—Ficus trees are sensitive, and disturbing them too much can cause shock and leaf drop. Use a well-draining potting mix and water thoroughly after repotting, but avoid waterlogging the soil. Consistent, stable care will help your Ficus thrive in its new home.
- Propagation: Stem cuttings during spring and early summer are the most effective way to propagate the Ficus Benjamina. Find a healthy stem of around 15 cm, keeping a few leaf nodes and removing bottom leaves. Dip in semi-hardwood rooting hormone powder, then plant in a well draining potting mix adjusted with perlite. Create a mini greenhouse with a clear plastic bag and keep at 18-24°C in bright, indirect light. Maintain moist (not wet) soil by checking in weekly and watering when needed. Expect roots in 3-4 weeks. When new leaves appear, gradually remove the cover. After 2-3 months, when roots are established, move to a permanent pot. With patience, you'll soon have baby Ficus to share with friends!
