How to Grow and Care for Weeping Fig

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina's common name is known as the ficus tree) grows as a large broadleaf evergreen tree in tropical and subtropical climates, but it is more often grown as a houseplant in homes and offices and featured in interior commercial landscaping. Here it will thrive in filtered bright sunlight and well-draining potting soil. The ficus tree is known for its longevity, living between 20 to 50 years. Weeping figs are toxic to humans and pets.

Ficus Benjamina Care

When growing indoors, there are a few basic needs to meet for your weeping fig to thrive:

• Plant in containers with soil-based potting mix.
• Position in bright, indirect light or in a sunny spot with afternoon shade.
• Water regularly during the growing season but allow it to dry from fall to late winter.
• Keep humidity higher around the tree by using a humidifier and misting the leaves.

Light

The weeping fig needs a bright room with plenty of indirect sunlight, and perhaps even a little direct sun in the morning. In its native habitat, it is often grown in semi-shady conditions, but indoors it needs good light to thrive. You must find a good, bright spot for it and keep it there. Note that this plant has a high intolerance for being moved, even if it is to find better lighting conditions, so it's best not to experiment with trying to find the right spot.

Soil

Any good, fast-draining potting soil will likely do. Weeping figs do not require soil that is especially high in nutrients or organic matter. If repotting, use a soil-based potting soil that contains perlite, sand, and vermiculite for improved drainage. 

Water

Keep the plant steadily moist, but do not allow it to sit in water or it will drop leaves and may develop root rot. In their native environment, plants typically drop leaves at the beginning of the dry season, which makes them acutely sensitive to changes in moisture. Make sure your watering schedule is consistent.

Temperature and Humidity

Ficus trees do best with nighttime temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider setting your thermostat to regulate temperature fluctuations in your home. In the summertime, do not use heavy air conditioning, since weeping figs will suffer if the indoor temperature drops below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

As tropical natives, weeping figs prefer high humidity. Low relative humidity can result in leaves that are dry and shriveled up. Consider using a humidifier to regulate humidity levels in your home. Keep the soil moist around the base of your tree and mist the tree’s leaves occasionally to prevent them from drying out.

Fertilizer

These plants are heavy feeders and need plenty of fertilizer throughout the growing season. Feed your ficus with slow-release pellets at the beginning of the growing season. They are rapid growers and will benefit from monthly fertilization in the spring and summer and once every two months in the fall and winter.

If your plant is dropping leaves despite having ideal lighting, temperature, humidity, and fertilizer levels, try supplementing with a little magnesium and manganese.

Types of Weeping Figs

• F. benjamina: 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'.
• 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.
• F. lyrata: The fiddle leaf fig has large, violin-shaped leaves up to 18 inches long.

Pruning

Trimming ficus trees is necessary if the plant is touching the ceiling or you want to make it smaller or shape it. Timing is important: Prune when the plant is no longer actively growing. Most ficus plants are active in spring and summer, with growth diminishing in fall, and by winter the plant has gone into dormancy and is less susceptible to injury from pruning.

Also, make sure to prune away dead branches and pick dead leaves to prevent the spread of diseases or fungal infections that can severely affect your plant; this pruning can be done any time during the year. Whenever pruning, use a sterilized, sharp pair of pruners. When the Ficus benjamina tree is grown indoors, the plants are normally pruned to keep them about 3 feet to 6 feet tall, and their trunks are sometimes braided for decorative appeal.

Propagating Weeping Fig

Weeping fig can be relatively easy to root from cuttings, even without rooting hormone. It is best to take a cutting in the spring when you can more easily supply warmth and moisture. Ficus is rarely grown from seed and most indoor plants will never fruit or yield seed.

1. Take a 3 to 5-inch cutting that contains at least two sets of leaves from the tip of a healthy branch. Make the cut about 1/4 inch below a set of leaves. Strip off the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. You can coat the cut end with rooting hormone if desired.
2. Embed the end of the cutting in a container filled with moistened peat moss. Cover the container with a large plastic bag, making sure the plastic does not touch the cutting (sticks or skewers can prop up the bag). Tie the bag closed around the bottom.
3. Set the container in a spot with bright, indirect light but out of direct sunlight. Try to keep the pot above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Mist the cutting daily to keep humidity levels high. Moisten the soil if it feels dry at the top.
4. Watch for root growth over the next two to four weeks. The cutting should develop sufficient roots to allow you to cut slits in the bag to allow it to acclimate to room conditions.
5. Transplant the cutting into a 6-inch pot and continue to grow it into a small tree after about six weeks.

Potting and Repotting Weeping Fig

A healthy ficus is a fast-growing plant that will need careful attention to its pot. It may need to be repotted up to once per year but do so in the early spring for best results. If you notice your plant is growing more slowly, it is probably because of low water or low temperatures.

The repotting requirements also depend on how you are growing the plant—ficus is incredibly flexible. They can be grown as standards, topiary, braided standards, regular houseplants, and even bonsai. Take your cues from the plant and be prepared to repot annually in many circumstances. Move a weeping fig plant to a new pot in early spring, whether you're giving a new plant a more permanent home or repotting an existing plant.

Overwintering

Even if your weeping fig is a houseplant, the Ficus benjamina can enjoy time outdoors. After the last frost date in spring, weeping figs can be brought outdoors for the summer. But remember to return it indoors when the weather turns cold again. Be sure to place the plant away from any heat vents or drafts, as the continuous shifts in temperature will stress the plant.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Leaf dropping that is not explained by other causes sometimes indicates infestation by common pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Use insecticidal soap or other natural means specific to each pest in order to save your weeping fig from damage.

Weeping figs can be vulnerable to bacterial diseases such as crown gall. It presents itself as swelling of the plant tissue after a wound or trauma. Since bactericides are no match for crown gall, the best treatment is prevention through sanitizing pruning tools and containers during repotting and propagation.

Common Problems With Weeping Fig

Leaves Falling Off

The most common problem with the easy-going weeping fig is leaf drop. The ficus tree can lose leaves due to any type of stress, including:

• Repotting
• Lack of nitrogen
• Overwatering
• Underwatering
• Low light
• Frequent movement of the plant to different locations
• Sitting indoors where there are frequent temperature changes

When a weeping fig tree adjusts to its surroundings or is satisfied with the amendments made to its soil, it will stop shedding its leaves.

Leaves Turning Yellow

If you notice the glossy leaves of your weeping fig yellowing, it may indicate root rot. If your soil mix isn't draining quickly enough or you're watering too often, the roots will soften and turn brown. Freshen the soil to let the roots breathe and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.