Ficus trees are often grown as specimen trees or planted in clusters as hedges in India, Australia and the South Pacific. In the tropics, they can reach more than 50 feet in height. As houseplants, they are able to reach a height of 10 feet.
Ficus trees are akin to figs, producing flowers and fruit in warmer climates. Indoors, lack of a pollinator prevents them from flowering nor fruiting. Their leaves are broadleaf evergreens, glossy elongated ovals and their bark is gray or white. Some ficus trees have multiple branches that have been braided which creates interesting textural patterns.
Planting a Ficus Tree
To cultivate a ficus tree, plant it in dry, loamy soil that gets full sun or partial shade. Outdoor growing conditions for ficus trees include well draining soil of average fertility, temperature of 32 degrees celsius, and a location with full sun or partial shade.
Weekly during spring, apply ½ cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer per tree to encourage growth. While these trees can endure periods of drought, their best condition is soaking wet soil. Water during dry periods and allow soil to dry fully before the next watering. Overwatering is one of the most common reasons ficus trees to decline.
Prune Ficus trees in the winter to remove any dead, diseased, or interacting branches. Size control is another reason for pruning. The stems and leaves have a milky sap.
Ficus Trees as Houseplants
To grow ficus trees as houseplants, you need a container that can hold at least three gallons of soil, or five gallons for best results. The soil should be mixed with a potting soil containing vermiculite or perlite which aids in keeping moisture. Avoid using garden soil due to its heavy consistency and potential to harbor diseases.
The pot needs to be located near windows that get direct sun or places that receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Skylights are also great areas where Ficus trees can grow.
The soil needs to be watered every few days however, it needs to dry out between watering. Fertilizing tablet should be given every six weeks during the growing season as long as it is diluted all-purpose granular fertilizer.
As the winter season kicks in, watering and fertilization should be minimized. Ficus trees are sensitive to the dry heat produced by heaters during winter months. Ideally, the tree should be kept in a cool room with a humidifier to raise humidity levels.
As with most trees of this species, ficus trees tend to shed leaves during the winter months, which is a natural adaptive response. In most scenarios, there is no reason to panic. With consistent care, the tree will adapt quickly.
If you wish to remove your ficus tree for outdoors, wait two to three weeks after the last expected frost, as these trees do not do well in cold temperatures. Start by placing the Ficus tree in a sheltered spot so that it can acclimatize gradually to outdoor conditions.
When preparing to move the tree indoors in fall, replicate that process. Two or three weeks before the indoors transition, move the tree to shady areas and ensure the timing aligns with at least two or three weeks before the first expected frost.
Ficus Tree Pests and Problems
Ficus trees are typically easy to care for, though they do lose leaves in winter and whenever there is a shift in seasonal conditions. Well-draining soil is essential, along with preventing overwatering.
Occasionally, leaf spot diseases can occur. Actively prevent the buildup of leaf litter and prune dead leaves to minimize further infection. Water ficus trees using drip systems or by hand to avoid overhead sprinkler diseases.
Aphids and mites may infest ficus trees both indoors and outdoors. These pests can be removed from outdoor plants by blasting the leaves with a steady stream of water. Indoor plants may require insecticidal soap or oils. Be sure to use products designed for houseplants.
Common Questions and Answers About Ficus Trees
Are ficus and fig trees the same?
There is significant overlap between the ayacuento or edible figs and the ficus and fig trees commonly cultivated; however, they are not precisely the same.
A weeping fig’s common name is “Ficus.” Figs are the informal appellation for trees that belong to a specific genus called “ficus.” Most members of the Ficus genus are tropical evergreen trees, with a number of deciduous species.
The i=most familiar ficus for ornamental purposes is ficus benjamina, or weeping fig. The tree providing us the fruit commonly known as the edible fig is a Ficus carica. Petiole leaves on allied species are ornamentals on ficus.
Ficus trees are not cultivated primarily for their fruits. Rather, they are raised as ornamentals. Even if one cultivates a ficus tree indoors, it is highly improbable that it will yield figs unless the place is infested with fih wasps capable of pollinating it. Ficus comprise also Ficus lyrata, the reputed fiddle-leaf fig.
Are ficus tree berries edible?
No, even though they are orange-reddish in color and shaped like edible figs, the fruits of ficus benjamina are not typically consumed by people. Doves and pigeons feed on them.
Are ficus trees indoor or outdoor?
Ficus trees can be cultivated both as a houseplant and as an outdoor tree. Depending on the species, Ficus trees can be grown year-round outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, and in other zones, they can be kept outside during warm weather and brought indoors when temperatures drop.
Are ficus good indoor plants?
Ficus trees are commonly grown indoors as houseplants and in office buildings. Alongside the most popular weeping fig, Ficus benjamina, other favored indoor ficus trees include the fiddle-leaf fig, Ficus lyrata and rubber plant, Ficus elastica. Ficus plants thrive when placed near bright windows where sunlight is available for most of the day. Watering is also critical as Ficus trees need to be well hydrated.
Are ficus trees easy to care for?
Ficus trees can be picky, but as long as you understand their requirements, they are not too challenging to care for. Most species of ficus trees require ample bright, indirect light. Direct bright light can lead to sunscald or leaf drop. Variegated ficus trees do well in moderate light.
Drafts along with cold temperatures need to be avoided for the tree to thrive. They prefer above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and above 70°F is ideal. Make sure to keep the tree away from windows and doors where drafts can occur. Ficus trees also require high humidity, which can be maintained through frequent misting or using a pebble tray filled with water.
To know when to water, check the surface of the soil where your ficus tree is growing by poking it with a finger. Water only when the surface soil is completely dry. If any portion of the surface soil is moist, it is still not time to water.
To support their rapid growth, Ficus trees also need a lot of nutrients. Fertilization should occur monthly during spring and summer, while in winter and fall it should occur every other month.
Are ficus trees hardy?
Houseplants in cold climates, Ficus trees are not hardy to cold weather. Ficus trees can be grown outdoors year round in USDA hardiness zones 9 or 10 through 11, dependent on species.
In other zones, gardeners can keep ficus trees outdoors when weather is warm, bringing them indoors when temperatures dip too low. (Ficus trees can tolerate temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit and really thrive in temperatures over 70.)
Are ficus trees poisonous to cats and dogs?
Ficus benjamina are clinically proven to be poisonous to dogs and cats through consumption or skin contact. Poisoning symptoms include gastrointestinal or skin irritability.
If your pet consumes any part of the ficus tree, it is crucial to consult your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435. (Consultation fees may apply for the ASPCA hotline.)
Ficus trees can also lead to serious allergic reactions in humans and should be prohibited around children.
Are ficus trees poisonous to humans?
Yes, ficus trees can be dangerous. Although the level of toxicity The ficus sap can cause allergic reactions in people. Skin contact with sap can trigger significant inflammation or irritation.
Children are particularly susceptible to serious reactions. It is not necessary to take any action in case he sees rashes or blisters on the skin. However, it is essential to wash the affected area with soap and cool water as soon as possible and seek medical attention.
If children have consumed parts of the plant, their mouths should be rinsed to prevent further ingestion and any remaining plant material should be removed.
Ficus trees pose a health risk not only to dogs and cats but also to small pets such as parakeets and chameleons. Children of an age too young to grasp the dangers posed by ficus trees should not be kept within their reach.
Once children are older, they can be instructed on the importance of not tearing off foliage from ficus trees nor placing any parts into their mouth, alongside being taught about the possible consequences.
Can a ficus tree be outside?
Depending on the specific type of Ficus tree, they can be grown outdoors full time in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. In other zones, gardeners can keep their trees indoors for part of the year and then move them outdoors when temperatures no longer dip too low. (Ficus trees should be brought indoors when temperatures drop to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and maintained at a minimum of 60 degrees).
When grown outdoors, ficus trees must be sheltered from strong winds and placed in areas with partial sunlight. They are most commonly placed in pots that provide good drainage and contain a mixture of 1 part sand to 3 parts potting soil.
Feed your Ficus tree the same balanced fertilizer as before, but now monthly in spring and summer and every other month in the fall and winter. Ficus trees should also be watered whenever the surface of the soil has dried out, but should be thoroughly watered until moisture drains from the container’s holes.
Can a ficus tree live inside?
Ficus trees are popular houseplants, and it’s easy to care for them inside when you know their preferences. Keep ficus trees in a spot that stays warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit (above 70 degrees is even better).
Choose a location for your ficus tree where it will be protected from drafty windows and doors and will get bright indirect or filtered light. Ficus trees with variegated foliage do well in medium light.
Make sure your ficus tree gets plenty of humidity, whether that’s from being misted or from a nearby pebble tray filled with water. Hydrate your ficus tree whenever the surface of its soil is dry, and water until the moisture drips from the container’s drainage holes.
Give your ficus tree nutrition with a balanced fertilizer blend (such as 8-8-8) monthly in spring and summer and every other month the rest of the year.
Can ficus take full sun?
In mild regions, full sun can be tolerated by ficus trees. In hotter regions, however, it is advisable to provide shade during the hottest parts of the day. Excessive bright direct light can result in leaf drop or cause sunscald burns to the leaves.
For outdoor cultivation in zones 9 through 11, growing sites that receive partial to full shade during the growing season from deciduous trees but full sun thereafter can be ideal.
Can I plant a ficus in the ground?
You can plant Ficus trees directly in the ground if you live in areas with USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, where growth of the trees is possible year-round.
When selecting the area for your Ficus tree, ensure that it has some shelter from direct sunlight like areas where sunlight filters through nearby deciduous trees. Do not select wet low-lying areas as Ficus trees prefer well-draining soil, and amending the soil with compost will aid them.
Moreover, assisting root development is possible with one cup of superphosphate per square yard of soil. Keep in mind that Ficus trees can grow to be very large, so it is recommended to ensure at least thirty feet of space on all sides.
Can I put my ficus outside?
Ficus trees can be grown outside year-round in hardiness zones 9-11. Gardeners in other areas can keep lawsoniana and benjamina outdoors in mid-spring to late summer, provided the trees’ light, water, and temperature requirements are met.
Ficus trees require at least partial sunlight and should receive five to six hours of direct sunlight daily. They should be shaded during the hottest hours of the day in extremely hot climates. Water your ficus tree every three days.
The soil should be wet but not soggy, and watering should only occur once the surface soil is dry to the touch. Ficus trees prefer temperatures of at least 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit—optimal growth occurs at 70 degrees and above.
These factors must be met to move the ficus outdoors; just remember to bring them inside as the weather turns cold. Ficus trees are deep rooted and invasive, and can grow quite large.
Can you cut ficus roots?
Trimming the roots of your ficus tree can assist in preventing it from becoming rootbound, help manage its growth and health, and prevent the need for a larger container. If your ficus exhibits a reduced interval between watering engagements, a decrease in fruit yield, or manifests roots growing externally from the soil or the container, you know it is time to root prune.
Open the container and place it on a tarp. Loosen the root ball by rolling the pot sideward on the tarp. While the tree remains on its side, grasp the trunk and pull gently to free the pot.
Use a knife that is sharpened and sterilized with one teaspoon of bleach in two cups of water. Trim no more than a third of the root mass by slicing off one inch on all sides of the tree’s root ball.
Using your fingers, loosen the roots to check for discolored roots that are dark, rotting, or kinked, or circling roots which need to be eliminated.
When you finish your task, fill the container with potting soil to the level matching the surfaces of the roots you have cut off and reinsert the tree into the container with the root ball centralized and the potting soil encircling it. You may add more soil toward the perimeter and water your tree to aid in soil compaction.
Can you eat ficus leaves?
In regard to Ficus benjamina, the tree most commonly cultivated as a houseplant, it is important to note that she is slightly poisonous if its leaves are chewed; therefore, they should not be regarded as food. Consumption of ficus may lead to inflammation of the skin, mouth, and stomach.
Can you grow a ficus from a cutting?
Ficus trees can be propagated through cuttings as well as air layering, tissue cultures, or seed germination. To take stem cuttings, use sharp and clean shears that have been sterilized in a bleach solution.
It is important to wear gloves and protect the area with newspapers if the ficus is indoors to collect any sap that might fall. Select a cutting which is at least six inches long with green growth towards the tip and a woody base.
Ficus cuttings can be rooted in water or in well-draining potting soil. The soil needs to be covered with clear plastic to maintain moisture.
Can you prune a ficus tree?
Ficus trees should be pruned to control their size during the dormant season, which is typically in winter. When pruning a ficus tree, remember to put on gardening gloves and use sharp pruning shears.
These tools should have been sterilized beforehand using one teaspoon of bleach diluted in two cups of water. If your ficus tree grows indoors, make sure to cover the area with newspapers or a tarp to capture the sap that drips from the tree.
As an initial step, liberate the tree from dead or broken branches. For these cuts, slice at an angle just before a node where new growth occurs. Avoid removing more than a third of foliage at a time.
In case more removal is needed, do the initial cut of one third, wait for the recovery period, and then proceed to remove the rest.
Do ficus lose leaves in winter?
Ficus plants are mostly evergreen species that do not shed their leaves because of seasons. However, they are regarded for their tendency to drop leaves due to many other factors.
Over-transplanting, relocations, neglect or overwatering, pest problems, cold windy drafts, low humidity, insufficient sunlight, or insufficient sunlight or too bright direct sunlight can all lead to leaf drop.
Do ficus trees bloom?
Yes, Ficus trees bloom with trees producing copiously small yellow flowers. They will come into bloom from the second or third year of growth.
Do ficus trees drop their leaves?
Ficus trees do not shed leaves due to seasonal changes, however, they can lose leaves due to some form of environmental stress. Your ficus may drop leaves following a relocation or transplant, or simply due to unmet care expectations.
Some caring reasons a ficus may drop leaves include drafts, overwatering or underwatering, pest problems, exposure to cold drafts from windows, insufficient light, insufficient humidity, and sunlight scald. Ficus trees too receive scorch, as a result from excessive bright, direct sunlight.
Do ficus trees go dormant?
Ficus trees do experience a dormant stage. Their growing season starts in the spring through summer, going dormant in fall and winter. If a ficus tree experiences extreme cold, it may go dormant at the wrong timing, so it is important to keep the plant at 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do ficus trees have invasive roots?
Ficus trees have large, damaging roots and grow quite large when planted outdoors. For this reason, ficus trees are usually grown in containers, whether indoors or outdoors.
Do ficus trees have sap?
All species of Ficus trees produce a milky sap. This type of sap, composed of latex – like the substance lattex used for making rubbers, can irritate skin. Thus, sap removal requires gloves while prune, and indoors should be placed under the tree newspapers or tarp to gather the sap.
Do ficus trees like sun or shade?
Ficus trees thrive in full sun and do well in partial shade. Bright direct sunlight from outside may cause ficus trees to defoliate or scorch foliage with sunscald. During hot weather, a dappled decursive shade from the canopy of deciduous trees is ideal for Ficus trees.
Do ficus trees like to be rootbound?
To a certain degree, ficus trees do prefer being root bound; however, they will still require repotting every two to three years.
Do ficus trees lose their leaves in winter?
Seasonal changes do not make Ficus trees lose leaves. Environmental stressors of various kinds may make Ficus trees lose leaves. Following a relocation or transplantation, infestation with harmful insects, inadequate or excessive watering, insufficient sunlight or humidity, or the presence of too much sunlight can cause these trees to lose leaves. Moreover, excess sunlight can lead to leaf burn, resulting in the yellowing of the leaves.
Do ficus trees need a lot of water?
Ficus trees need to be watered only when the topmost soil layer on the pot is dry. In spring and summer, they should be watered moderately, and in fall and winter should be watered conservatively.
During the active growth period, the ficus should be watered enough so that moisture is seeping through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. However, during the dormant season, the ficus does not require a large amount of water at once.
Do ficus trees need fertilizer?
Ficus trees require a fertilization regimen which includes a balanced fertilizer (such as an 8-8-8 blend) to be applied monthly during the spring and summer, and bi-monthly in fall and winter.
Do ficus trees produce fruit?
Various species of ficus trees yield small orange-red figs which serve as a food source for certain species of doves and pigeons.
Does a ficus tree need direct sunlight?
Most varieties of ficus trees do best in bright, indirect sunlight, or filtered light. Variegated types flourish in moderate light. Bright direct sunlight is also harmful as it may cause ficus trees to shed leaves, or suffer from sunscald leaf burn.
How big do ficus trees get?
In their native tropical habitats, ficus trees can reach a towering height of 60 feet. However, if you grow them in pots, you can keep their height much more manageable since the ficus will not outgrow its container unless you choose to repot it into a larger pot.
How do you care for an indoor ficus tree?
Like all other plants, ficus trees require specific conditions to thrive, including well-draining soil that has a container with drainage holes. To nourish your ficus, place it where indirect bright light is available for five to six hours a day, which is often near windows.
Just be sure to steer clear of drafty windows or doors. Water your plant when the surface of the soil is dry, and fertilize with a well-balanced fertilizer like 8-8-8 monthly during spring and summer and every other month in fall and winter.
How do you fertilize a ficus benjamina?
As previously mentioned, to fertilize a Ficus, a balanced blend of 8-8-8 is recommended. The instructions should be followed and annual periodicity for the growing season and bi-annual for the rest should be observed.
How do you propagate ficus benjamina?
The propagation of ficus trees is easiest via a stem cutting. If your ficus is indoors, put down newspapers or a tarp to catch the sap. Put on gardening gloves. For propagation, use shears that have been disinfected by soaking in a mixture of one teaspoon of bleach diluted in two cups of water.
Take a six inch cut with a woody stalk and leaves on top. Treat the cut at an angle below a leaf node. The cutting can be rooted in water, or potted directly into soil, where the bottom half is defoliated. It should be kept in the shade until roots form. If rooting in water, change the water out twice a week.
How do you prune a ficus tree?
When pruning a ficus tree, wear gloves, and if working indoors, spread newspapers or a tarp under the tree to capture any sap drips. Use sharp shears disinfected in a teaspoon of bleach mixed with two cups of water. Start by removing dead and damaged wood.
This wood should be cut at an angle just before the node where a leaf or twig meets the branch. If you want a branch to regrow, leave at least one node; if you wish to eliminate that branch completely, do not leave any nodes. Do not exceed thinning out one third of the tree’s foliage at a time.
How do you take care of a ficus tree in the winter?
If your ficus is outdoors and winter weather drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, bring the tree indoors for the season. Also, winter requires a reduction in watering as the tree goes dormant, needing significantly less, particularly during the winter months.
How do you water a ficus tree?
As a rule, water your ficus tree when the top layer of soil is dry. In the growing season during spring and summer, give water until moisture begins to seep out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the container. In the dormant phase for the rest of the year, watering will not need to be as deep, and frequency will be less during fall and winter.
How far apart do you plant ficus trees?
If planted in the ground, a ficus tree needs at least 30 feet of space on all sides as it has the potential to reach 60 feet in height and spread considerably.
How far back can I prune a ficus?
Limit pruning to a maximum of a third of the foliage on the ficus tree at any one time. For branching out, retain one node for each cut made. For branch elimination, do not leave any nodes and the branch will not regrow.
How long do ficus trees live?
Ficus trees are known to live for many decades, but they have a productive period of only 10 to 15 years.
How many types of ficus are there?
About 850 species within the family Moraceae are encompassed under the name “ficus.” They include woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiephiphytes.
How much light does a ficus tree need?
Ficus trees need 5 to 6 hours a day of bright, indirect light. Too much direct light can cause foliage to burn from sunscald or drop off the plant. Variegated ficus subtypes require less sun than other types.
How often do you water a ficus tree?
During spring and summer, water your ficus tree whenever the soil surface dries. Water until moisture drips from the drainage holes of the container. During fall and winter, the dormant period, reduce watering significantly.
How tall do ficus trees grow?
Ficus trees can reach heights of 60 feet when growing in the ground outdoor settings, and have extensive greenery.
Is a ficus tree evergreen?
Ficus trees are evergreen trees, however, ficus trees are often leafless due to various ecological stressors.
Is ficus benjamina poisonous?
Ficus trees are indeed toxic. In addition, they are toxic to cats, dogs, horses, parakeets and other animals.
Should I mist my ficus tree?
Humidity is crucial for ficus trees, and regular misting is one method for supplying adequate moisture. Another helpful method is placing a pebble tray filled with water nearby.
What does a ficus tree symbolize?
Ficus trees also serve as symbols of tranquility and plentiful harvest due to the figs that wild trees produce in the east abundant. The seeds in Middle East are seen as unification and enlightenment. In Indonesia, the seeds represent a bridge from the spirit realm to the physical world.
What is the lifespan of a ficus tree?
The lifespan of a ficus tree can be significantly longer than its productive years, which is usually around 10 to 15 years. There are gardeners who have had ficus trees for several decades.
What temperature can a ficus tree tolerate?
Ficus trees thrive best above 70 degrees. They prefer to be kept between 65 and 85 degrees. While they can tolerate short periods of freezing temperatures, they should be moved indoors if temperatures drop to 50 degrees.
When can I put my ficus tree outside?
Ficus trees can be kept outside year-round in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. For other zones, the trees can be placed outside when temperatures are 55 degrees Fahrenheit and higher, with ideal temperatures for a ficus at 65 to 85 degrees.
When should you repot a ficus tree?
Ficus trees are usually repotted every two to three years. Indicators of a repot include roots growing through the drainage hole or the surface of the soil, and a decrease in sap production or time between watering. The most ideal time to repot a ficus is in late winter or spring, right before the ficus enters its growth cycle.
Where do ficus trees grow?
Ficus trees originate from Southeast Asia and are spread throughout Malaysia, northern Australia, and the southwestern Pacific islands.
What fertilizer should I use for ficus trees?
For ficus trees, the optimal fertilizer is a balanced mixture such as 8-8-8, which should be applied monthly during spring and summer, then every two months during fall and winter, too.
What is eating my ficus tree?
Insects that can infest ficus trees include aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites. All these pests can be treated with a homemade spray of one liter of warm water with four to five drops of dish soap and a teaspoon of neem oil.
What is ficus wood good for?
Most ficus trees do not yield sufficient lumber as they do not grow large enough. The wood that does get large is utilized in crafting domestic items like fruit boxes, laundry tubs, and serving as temporary scaffolding in construction works. Some species of ficus are utilized in the manufacture of matches and matchboxes.
What is the lifespan of a ficus tree?
The productive period of a ficus tree’s life is 10 to 15 years, although, they are capable of living much longer. Many gardeners report of having a Ficus tree in their collection for decades.
What kind of fertilizer do ficus trees like?
The best fertilizer for ficus trees is a balanced blend, like an 8-8-8, which should be applied monthly during spring and summer, and bi-monthly during fall and winter.
What kind of soil does a ficus tree need?
A ficus tree’s soil must be well-drained and have a pH between 6.0 to 6.5. (Standard potting soil works fine for ficus trees.) If you have no idea about your soil’s pH level, check out our article on how to measure soil pH. Loamy soil is ideal, as clay tends to be too wet and sandy soil can be overly dry and require frequent watering.
When should I repot my ficus tree?
Repot your ficus tree every 2 to 3 years during late winter or spring as the tree begins to show new growth. A telltale sign that a ficus is overdue for a new pot is reduced foliage or fruit, increased watering needs, and roots either sitting atop the soil surface or emerging through the drainage holes of the container.
Will ficus trees survive outside?
Ficus trees can be kept year-round outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. Gardeners in other zones must bring the ficus trees outdoors only when temperatures are favorable. Ficus trees thrive between 65 and 85 degrees, and should be kept indoors if the temperatures are below 50 degrees.
Why are the leaves on my ficus tree turning yellow and falling off?
A ficus tree’s leaves turning yellow and shedding is an indicator of insufficient watering. In the spring and summer, you should water your ficus whenever the top layer of soil feels dry, and continue watering until moisture drips out of the container’s drainage holes. During the ficus tree’s dormancy period in fall and winter, you can reduce how frequently and how much you water.
Why do ficus have brown spots?
Brown spots of a ficus may occur because of edema, anthracnose, sunscald, or injury. Your ficus tree developing brown spots from edema occurs if it is overwatered. These water bumps can form on the underside of leaves and become corky, turning a reddish brown to brown and black.
The treatment for edema involves making the surrounding environment drier. This can be done by watering from the base in the morning, giving the ficus more light, and providing better air circulation.
The lesions resulting from anthracnose infection will be greasy with a yellowish halo, leading to necrosis of the leaves. The fungal disease, known as blight, has a hydrological mode of transmission and can be treated by less water exposure for drier conditions.
Make sure that air can freely move around and through your ficus for proper ventilation. Similar to edema, water the plant in the morning, but only from the base. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Gardeners may also look for anthracnose-resistant varieties of ficus.
Excessive exposure to bright direct sunlight may result in sunscald, which causes brown spots to develop on the leaves, which may subsequently drop off. Moving the plant to a shadier area can resolve this issue.
Cold temperatures may also cause distortion of ficus leaves, puckering them and discoloring them to brown. Excess water or insufficient watering can also lead to leaves turning brown, especially if there is a draft from cold doors or windows.
Why does my ficus have white spots?
The white spots on a ficus could indicate powdery mildew or scale insects. The fungus powdery mildew causes a white powdery coating on leaves. powdery mildew not only has the potential to cause leaf drop, but it may also distort leaves and cause them to be small, shapeless, or deformed.
Treatment methods consist of sulfur, neem oil, or even potassium bicarbonate. In more extreme cases, removing the affected plants and sick foliage is necessary. Scale insects are also responsible for white spots and they are also the cause of brown bumpy patches on the plants surface.
Those bumps are actually the shed shells of the scale insects. Scale can be combated with homemade remedies, a mixture of one liter warm water, four to five drops of dish soap, and one teaspoon of neem oil works well.
Why does my ficus tree lose so many leaves?
Ficus is usually associated with a complete or partial loss of leaves due to stress. The most common reasons for leaf drop in ficus trees not getting enough humidity, low levels of light, drafts, relocation, pests, overwatering, underwatering, or extreme temperature changes warm or cold.
Why is my ficus sticky?
A sticky substance on a ficus tree indicates the presence of pests. Aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites are some of the pests that attack ficus trees. You can fight these insects with a homemade spray of one liter warm water, four to five drops of dish soap, and one teaspoon of neem oil.