Ficus benjamina, also known as the weeping fig, is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 50 feet in height. The leaves are glossy and dark green, and the branches are covered in a white, waxy substance. The plant produces small, yellowish-white flowers that bloom in the spring. The fruit of the plant is a small, dark-colored berry.
Is it easy to grow Ficus benjamina plant? Since this tree is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions, it does not tolerate low temperatures well. For this reason, it is important to place the tree in a warm room, away from drafts. The Ficus benjamina does not require much light, but too little light will result in fewer leaves and slow growth. The tree grows best in bright, indirect sunlight.
How big can it be? Although often thought of as a houseplant, the Ficus benjamina can grow to over 50 feet tall in its native habitat. It has a slender trunk with smooth, glossy bark that is often covered with small, sharp spines. The leaves are dark green and glossy, and the branches are often covered with small, round, yellow-green fruits. The Ficus benjamina is an evergreen tree that can lose its leaves in response to changes in light, temperature, or water availability.
How fast is the growth? Since it is a fast-growing tree, the Ficus benjamina can reach up to 20 to 25 cm in height per year. If you want to achieve a certain height for your tree, you can control its growth by pruning it regularly.
Plant Form | Bush |
Family | Mulberry Moraceae |
Origin | Malaysia, India, South China, Southeast Asia, Philippines, North Australia |
How long is the lifespan? The Ficus benjamina, or Weeping Fig, is a popular houseplant that can live for decades with proper care. The average lifespan of a Weeping Fig is 15 to 20 years, but some plants have been known to live for much longer. With its glossy leaves and graceful weeping habit, the Weeping Fig makes a beautiful addition to any home.
What is the ideal temperature? The reason for this is that the plant is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. The plant does not tolerate temperatures below 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit. The variegated forms of the plant are even more thermophilic and require temperatures between 64.4 and 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
What about the humidity? Unless the plant is kept in a very humid environment, it is necessary to spray the plant daily with water at room temperature, especially in winter. The ficus should be placed away from the radiators, as the dry air in the winter is the most frequent cause of dropping leaves.
What amount of light this plant needed? So, a variegated form of the leaves is better in the bright light. The plant prefers the indirect light. It is good to place the plant around 1 meter from the window which is in the south side. In winter, we need to provide more light to the plant. If the plant gets less light, it will start to discard the leaves. We should not turn or reposition the plant too often. Because, it might cause the leaves to drop down.
What is good soil for Ficus benjamina? If the soil is too alkaline, the leaves will fall off the plant. The plant prefers weakly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The ideal soil mix for Ficus benjamina is 1 part turf ground, 1 part leaf earth, and 1/2 part sand. You can also add a little charcoal to the soil mix. If the soil is too alkaline, the leaves will fall off the plant. The plant prefers weakly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The ideal soil mix for Ficus benjamina is 1 part turf ground, 1 part peat, 1 part leaf earth, and 1 part sand. Good drainage is necessary for the plant. The best option is if the lower layer of the soil is claydite and the upper layer is sand.
How much I must water Ficus benjamina? The Ficus benjamina does not like to have its roots in water, so it is important that the pot has good drainage and that you do not overwater the plant. The plant should be watered about 2 times a week in the summer, and then only about once every 7 to 10 days in the winter. If the plant is overwatered, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.
About fertilizer. known commonly as the weeping fig, Ficus benjamina is a popular houseplant. It is relatively easy to take care of, but it does require some basic knowledge of plant care. Fertilizing is one important aspect of plant care, and it is important to understand how to properly fertilize a Ficus benjamina. Ficus benjamina are typically fertilized every two weeks from spring to autumn. During this time, it is important to alternate between organic and mineral fertilizers. This will ensure that the plant gets the nutrients it needs without becoming overloaded. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's instructions when fertilizing, as too much or too little fertilizer can be harmful to the plant.
How to reproduce Ficus benjamina? Although the ficus benjamina can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings taken from the upper part of the plant, it is also possible to propagate the plant by seed. To do this, sow the seeds in a small plate at a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. When the first leaf appears, the seedlings are dived and transplanted into 7-cm pots.
Why Ficus benjamina won't bloom? If you grow Ficus benjamina indoors, it will most likely not bloom. In its natural habitat, this plant blooms during the late spring to early summer. The flowers are small and insignificant, but the plant produces them in great numbers. They are followed by syconia small, globular inflorescences that resemble berries.
How much I must water Ficus benjamina? Since the ficus benjamina has a very extensive root system, the plant does not like to be transplanted, so the plant is transplanted very rarely, only when it becomes very cramped in the pot. If you need to transplant a ficus, then it is better to do this in early spring, when the plant is at rest.
How to care the plant? known also as weeping fig, Ficus benjamina is an evergreen species of tree native to Asia and Australia. It grows 1020 m (3366 ft) in height. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly ovate, elliptical, or oblong-elliptical, 612 cm (2.44.7 in) long and 37 cm (1.22.8 in) broad, glossy dark green, with a pale green to yellowish stipule at the base. The fruit is a small fig 35 cm (1.22.0 in) in diameter, ripening red to purple. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. In spring, large plants should be cut off shoots for the formation of the crown. This will help the plant to grow more uniformly and create a bush-like shape. If you select one leading shoot and remove the side shoots, you can create a more mold. Sometimes the plant must be tied to the support. The plant does not like drafts. In summer, the plant is preferable to keep on the balcony or in the garden. In the summer, a warm shower is also useful for the plant. The plant is suitable for bonsai. There are a variety of varieties: variegated and uniformly colored, there are varieties with an even and wavy edge of the leaves, as well as with curly leaves.
What is the challenge when caring Ficus benjamina plant? Since it is very capricious. It is very sensitive to the content and the conditions in which it is located. So, for example, the plant does not like the direct sunlight, and too bright light. It is better to put ficus in a room where there is diffused light. Also, the plant does not like to be in a draft. It is very important for him to choose the right pot. The pot should not be too small, as the plant's roots are very powerful, and it can damage the pot, and it will be difficult to free the plant. Also, the pot should have good drainage, as the plant does not like to stand in water.
Are Ficus benjamina poisonous? Although the Ficus benjamina is a beautiful houseplant, it can be toxic to both humans and animals if ingested. The plant contains saponins, which are toxic to both humans and animals if ingested. The plant also contains latex, which can cause irritation if it comes into contact with the skin. If you have a Ficus benjamina plant in your home, it is important to keep it out of reach of children and pets.