Ficus

Ficus Benjamina trees have the reputation of being temperamental high-light plants, but today there are new hardy varieties that grow in almost any location. The original indoor ficus, Ficus benjamina, lost leaves if you just looked at it. Any fluctuation in light, temperature, or water would cause a hundred leaves to fall off. Now we have hybrids that adapt well to medium and even low light.

Ficus trees, especially the Benjamina and Wintergreen varieties, need very bright indirect light. New varieties, called “Ficus of the Future”, can survive in medium and even low light. Examples of “Ficus of the Future” are the Monique with ruffled green leaves, the Midnight with dark green/black leaves, and the ficus Alli with elongated leaves. Direct sun burns the leaves of all ficus trees.

Allow the top 25% of the soil to dry out before watering. Under-watering causes leaves to turn yellow. Green leaves to fall off and new growth turns black when a ficus is over-watered. Ficus trees grow better if you follow a consistent watering schedule.

Indoor ficus trees like temperatures between 65°-85°F (18.3°-29.4°C). Keep a ficus tree away from cold drafts, air conditioners, and heaters or it will lose leaves.

Household humidity above 30% is best.