Ficus Braided Benjmina

Light

Light is necessary for all plants, but ficus requires a lot of it. Ficus benjamina enjoys bright light and requires a spot near the bright windows. To enhance its growth potential, place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window. Since the leaves grow the light source, ensure to rotate this plant regularly so that each side gets consistent sunlight. This will prevent the ficus from growing on only one side. Keep in mind that the plant cannot tolerate low levels of light for long periods!

Water

Ficus bejamina trees are sensitive to over-watering and dislike being kept too wet. Allow the soil to partially dry between watering, but if the plant is actively growing, try to keep the soil consistently moist. If you over-water your plant to the point that it rests in water, it will shed leaves, and the roots will rot. Be sure to drain any excess water from the grow pots, or cover pots after each watering! During the winter months, take caution not to water the plants frequently. Wait for the top few inches of the soil to dry out completely first. The leaves can be used to identify whether the plant requires water. If you notice leaves turning yellow, it indicates too much or too little water. Check the soil for further identification of any issue.

Soil

Weeping Figs require soil that is rich in organic matter that drains well but not excessively. The roots need time to absorb the moisture from the soil, but not so much time that the roots can drown! You can use any reputable soil mixture containing organic composted material and does not contain water-retentive crystals. Proper drainage is critical for Ficus bejamina as dense, compacted soil will lead to root rot! Ficus are sensitive to mineral build-up in the soil, and leaching (use a steady stream of water for 5 minutes or so) the soil every spring will remove the salts and minerals that have accumulated.

Temperature

Since Ficus benjamina originates from tropical regions, ficus trees prefer to be warm and enjoy temperatures over 65°F. You can take your plant outside during the warmer months but ensure to bring it back before the nightly temperature falls below 50°F. Warm temperatures and higher humidity levels are the key to generating new growth on your braided fig!

Humidity

As a tropical plant, Ficus benjamina grows well under extra humid conditions (60% and higher). They cannot thrive under a low or even average range of humid levels.

Fertilizer

Fig trees get all their nutrients from their natural soil outdoors. However, plants that only grow indoors cannot access nutrients without your help! Fertilize Weeping Figs every two weeks during the growing season (when you see new growth) with a balanced and water-soluble liquid fertilizer for faster absorption, and follow the instructions for dilution. There are specific ficus fertilizers that are high in nitrogen (3-1-2) that promote leaf development, but complete fertilizers (1-1-1) work just as well. Alternatively, you can top-dress the soil with organic compost or slow-release fertilizer in the spring. Figs rarely produce new foliage during cold months, so fertilizers aren't necessary and can generate more harm than good.

Growth Rate

Variegated Weeping Fig is a fast growing indoor plant and with the right care can produce 1-2' of growth each season and reach heights of 10'+ indoors. Keep them pruned back to keep them full and to maintain its size.