The Ficus family members consists of a big quantity of species such as the rubber plant (Ficus elastica), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) and fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). Ficus grown as houseplants are a lot smaller sized than their outside counterparts, which develop in U.S. Division of Agriculture plant hardiness zones ten by way of 12. Most ficus grown indoors are woody tree-like plants with single or multi-stemmed trunks. When caring for
indoor ficus tree plants, the correct light, soil, pruning and fertilization are vital to get a wholesome plant.
Light and Soil
Plant the ficus inside a well-draining potting mix. Acquire a loamy soil with added vermiculite or perlite for drainage, or mix your own personal. Use three components loam 1 component peat and 1 component sand to get a well-draining mixture. Plant within a deep pot with drainage holes so the water can run out. Spot the ficus close to a window within a area that gets vibrant light within the summer time with far more moderate light inside the winter. Turn the plant sometimes so all of the development will not happen on 1 side.
Watering
Water weekly throughout the summer season with room-temperature water. Add water till it drains in the bottom on the pot. Discard the excess water if it flows into a container. Adjust the watering for the specific plant. Enable the soil to dry slightly among waterings. When the leaves turn yellow and start to drop, you could possibly want to boost or lower the quantity of water. Verify the root ball. When the roots are soggy water the plant significantly less frequently. If they're dry, enhance watering. Humidity and light levels influence the volume of water required.
Pruning
Utilizing sterilized tools, prune the ficus to maintain its modest size and to shape the canopy. Prune in late winter or early spring prior to new development seems, making use of tiny pruning shears. Make cuts on branches just above a leaf node or perhaps a branching stem. New development will seem from under the reduce. Prune out dead branches any time all through the year. Make cuts just outdoors the branch collar to prevent damaging the trunk. Yearly pruning might help construct a fuller canopy.
Fertilizing plus a Trip
Fertilize throughout the active development period in summer season. You are going to see new leaves seem and branches develop throughout this time. Use a general-purpose fertilizer diluted to half strength and fertilize each and every 3 or 4 weeks till the active development period ends. There is certainly no require for fertilizer through the winter. It is possible to also make the most of the warm summer time to set the ficus outdoors. Location the plant in vibrant, indirect light through the frost-free months.
Leaf Drop
Ficus are sensitive to adjustments in their atmosphere. They react to these modifications by dropping leaves. The leaves turn yellow and fall off. When you have just moved your ficus to a brand new place, count on leaf drop. The leaves will develop back when the plant adjusts. If it has not been moved, it might be reacting to a alter in lighting circumstances because the seasons modify. Or, it might be reacting to a rise or reduce in its watering frequency. Be conscious on the ficus' normal habits and attempt to not deviate from them to prevent leaf drop.
Avoiding Illnesses
As with all living plants, the prospective for illness increases with improper care. For an indoor ficus tree plant, numerous of those illnesses, like anthracnose or branch dieback, take place when overhead watering. Overhead watering basically implies acquiring the leaves wet. To minimize the prospective for illness, just add water in the base straight in to the soil. Furthermore, keep an even soil moisture, not also wet or also dry.
