- NPK Ratio. Ficus plants need fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. The ideal ratio is 3:1:2, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension.
- Form and Duration. Water-soluble and liquid fertilizers are best for ficus trees, according to Bachman's. ...
- Frequency and Amount. The frequency and amount of fertilizer will vary depending on the size and age of your ficus. Follow the directions on the package for dosage instructions.
- Considerations. The health of your tree can signify whether it needs fertilizing. Leaves that yellow along the margins or even fall off can indicate a lack of nitrogen.
What is the best fertilizer for ficus trees?
Water-soluble and liquid fertilizers are best for ficus trees, according to Bachman's. Slow-release fertilizers feed plants with a steady stream of nitrogen, which can be good for the ficus tree's leaves. Ficus plants, however, do not need fertilizers during dormancy and can be harmed by too much fertilizer.
How often do you feed a ficus tree?
In general, ficus plants grown in containers should be fed at least once a month during the growing season. If the fertilizer is water soluble, it should be given at watering time.
What are the uses of ficus trees?
These serve as decorative plants, food plants, and even religious symbols. Some types of ficus trees are also known as fig trees and produce the well-known fruit. The famous Bodhi tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment was a Ficus religiosa.
What is the best way to grow a ficus tree?
Growing Conditions. Light: Bright light, but only acclimated plants can handle direct sun. Ficus appreciate being moved outside in summer but do not place in direct sunlight. Water: Water evenly throughout the summer and reduce watering in the winter.
What do you feed an indoor ficus tree?
Your ficus will need to be fed regularly to keep it healthy.Use a guaranteed analysis 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer.Apply it at half the strength of the average recommended dosage to reduce the chance of burning your plant.Apply it once a month during active growth, which is typically from spring through fall.
How do I keep my ficus tree healthy?
Ficus plants need consistent, but moderate watering throughout the growing season, with dry spells in the winter. Make sure soil is just moist, not dry or drenched, at all times, but cut back waterings in the winter. Your plant will likely lose leaves during the winter "dry" spell.
Are coffee grounds good for ficus trees?
Most Ficus trees prefer neutral soil – between 6.5 to 7.5 on the PH scale. Coffee grounds are a fantastic fertilizer for trees and shrubs that love acidic soil, such as blueberries; however, using this on trees like Ficus can reduce the soil's PH level to 4.
Is Miracle Gro good for ficus?
Fertilizing. Ficus trees are rapid growers, and they require adequate nutrients in order to grow well. Fertilize once a month in the spring and summer, and once every two months in the fall and winter. A general Miracle Gro All-Purpose Plant Food will suffice; follow the instructions on the box for appropriate amounts.
How do I grow more leaves on my ficus tree?
Water your ficus tree regularly throughout the growing season. Just make sure to allow the compost to dry out a bit before re-watering. Fertilize every three weeks with a well-diluted house plant feed, but only throughout the summer months. The extra nutrients will help to promote new shoots and leaves.
Why are the leaves on my ficus turning yellow?
If your ficus tree has yellowing leaves or is losing leaves from its branch tips, it is likely overwatered. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings, and make sure your plant's pot is not standing in a dish or saucer of water.
Are tea bags good for plants?
This is also good for houseplants, so add old tea leaves to their water. When potting plants, place a few used tea bags on top of the drainage layer at the bottom of the planter before adding soil. The tea bags will help to retain water and will also leach some nutrients into the potting medium.
Can you over water a ficus tree?
Overwatering is just as detrimental as under-watering a ficus. Both can cause the leaves on your tree to drop. Pour just enough water into the pot to seep through the drainage holes at the bottom. If the leaves fold easily, you may have overwatered your ficus.
Why do ficus leaves turn brown?
Incredibly dry soil Be sure you're not underwatering your Ficus. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 1-2” of soil are dry. If you accidentally let the soil dry out completely, you may see leaves droop, crisp up, brown, and fall.
When should I feed my ficus tree?
Fertilizer. Feed your ficus with slow-release pellets at the beginning of the growing season. They are rapid growers and will benefit from monthly fertilization in the spring and summer and once every two months in the fall and winter.
What is a nitrogen rich fertilizer?
Organic fertilizers that are high in nitrogen include urea, which is derived from urine, feathers, dried blood and blood meal. Feathers contain 15 percent nitrogen; dried blood contains 12 percent nitrogen; and blood meal contains 12.5 percent nitrogen.
How long do indoor ficus trees live?
“If you give [a ficus] what it needs, it's the closest you come to having a tree indoors,” says Barbara Pleasant, author of The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual. “With the right care, a ficus tree can live for about 20 years.”
Learn About Ficus Houseplants
What is commonly referred to as a ficus is technically a weeping fig. It’s a member of the Ficus genus of plants, which also includes rubber trees...
How to Care For A Ficus Tree
When growing ficus indoors, it’s important to maintain a relatively high humidity around the plant. Regular misting or setting the ficus tree on a...
Common Problems When Caring For A Ficus Plant
Almost everyone who has owned a ficus tree has asked themselves at some point, “Why is my ficus tree dropping its leaves?” A ficus tree losing its...
How to grow a ficus indoors?
When growing ficus indoors, it’s important to maintain a relatively high humidity around the plant . Regular misting or setting the ficus tree on a pebble tray filled with water is a great way to increase their humidity, but keep in mind that while they like high humidity, they don’t like overly wet roots. Therefore, when watering, always check the ...
What is a ficus tree?
Image by Watcha. Ficus trees are a common plant in the home and office, mainly because they look like a typical tree with a single trunk and a spreading canopy. For all of their popularity though, ficus plants are finicky.
What happens if a ficus tree loses its leaves?
If your ficus is losing its leaves, go through the checklist of proper ficus tree care and correct anything that you find wrong. Ficus are also prone to pests such as mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. A healthy ficus tree will not see these problems, but a stressed ficus tree (likely losing leaves) will surely develop a pest problem quickly.
What is a ficus houseplant?
Learn About Ficus Houseplants. What is commonly referred to as a ficus is technically a weeping fig. It’s a member of the Ficus genus of plants, which also includes rubber trees and fig fruit trees, but when it comes to houseplants, most people refer to a weeping fig ( Ficus benjamina) as simply a ficus. Ficus trees can maintain their tree-like ...
Can Ficus trees tolerate cold?
Ficus trees also cannot tolerate low temperatures or drafts. They need to be kept in temperatures above 60 degrees F. (16 C.) and actually prefer temperatures above 70 degrees F. (21 C.). Cold drafts from windows or doors will harm them, so make sure to place them somewhere where drafts will not be an issue.
Do ficus plants need water?
Therefore, when watering, always check the top of the soil first. If the top of the soil is wet, don’t water as this means they have enough moisture. If the top of the soil feels dry to the touch, this indicates that they need water. Also while caring for a ficus plant, be aware that they are rapid growers and require plenty ...
Can ficus trees grow indoors?
Bright, direct light may result in scalding of the leaves and leaf loss. Ficus trees also cannot tolerate low temperatures or drafts.
Where are ficus plants native to?
Although only a few are seen in cultivation, there are hundreds of species of ficus. They are native throughout the tropics, including Asia, America, and Africa. These serve as decorative plants, food plants, and even religious symbols.
What are the different types of Ficus?
Varieties of Ficus Plants 1 F. benajmina. The F. benjamina has narrow glossy green leaves and grows into a small shrub or tree. This plant is less tolerant of cold and shade than the rubber tree. Variegated varieties include F. benjamina variegata and F. benjamina Starlight. 2 F. elastica. The rubber tree has large, thick glossy leaves. Varieties include the F. elastica robusta with wide, large leaves and the F. elastica decora. 3 F. lyrata. The fiddle leaf fig has large, violin-shaped leaves up to 18 inches long.
Why are my ficus leaves leggy?
Ficus tend toward legginess after a few years. A common problem with ficus plants is that it responds to stress by losing its leaves. Stress could be caused by any number of things including underwatering, overwatering, too little light, low humidity, change in temperature, draft, or pests.
How tall is a ficus?
It is quite finicky, so be prepared for some specific care requirements. Outdoors up to 70 feet tall and 70 feet wide. Indoors six feet high and three feet wide. Indoor plants are not likely to bloom.
Do ficus plants get cold?
Many people experience frustration at the hands of ficus plants. They are prone to leaf drop in drafty, cold conditions, and they don't like to be moved. Ficus are also vulnerable to mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and aphids.
Can Ficus plants be moved outside?
Ficus plants need bright light, but only acclimated plants can handle the direct sun. They appreciate being moved outside in summer but do not place them in direct sunlight. Bright, direct light will scald the leaves and cause leaf loss.
Is ficus plant toxic?
While not toxic, ficus plants are a concern to those who suffer from latex allergies. There is latex in the ficus plant and they should not be kept in the same environment as latex allergy sufferers.
Why do ficus plants need nitrogen?
Ficus leaves are notoriously sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. Nitrogen encourages and nurtures foliage growth. For this reason, ficus plants benefit from fertilizers with high levels of nitrogen.
What is a Ficus tree?
Ficus trees (Ficus spp.) range from towering giants to smaller, graceful trees often grown as houseplants. Also called fig trees, they are often grown in containers or pots. This is especially true of the species known as F. benjamina, or the weeping ficus.
Do ficus trees need fertilizer?
Slow-release fertilizers feed plants with a steady stream of nitrogen, which can be good for the ficus tree's leaves. Ficus plants, however, do not need fertilizers during dormancy and can be harmed by too much fertilizer. They should only be fertilized during the growing season.
How do I fertilize a fig tree?
How to Fertilize Fig Trees. If the fruit doesn’t ripen properly , you may be over fertilizing. Reduce the amount of fertilizer to see if the problem resolves. Drought is another possible cause of immature fruit that doesn’t ripen. Make sure the tree gets an inch (2.5 cm.) of water a week, either as rain or irrigation, ...
Why do fig trees have splits?
Figs are naturally slow-growing trees, and giving them fertilizer can cause growth spurts that result in splits and cracks in trunks and branches.
