Ficus

Question:

Every winter many of the leaves on my Ficus benjamina turn yellow and drop. Why is it doing this?

Minnesota Master Gardeners say:

 Ficus benjamina, or commonly called the weeping fig, is one of the most popular trees that are grown indoors. There are 3 main reasons for them to commonly loose their leaves: (a) adapting to a new environment, (b) over/under watering and (c) insects.

It is normal for a ficus to lose 20% of its foliage as it adapts to a new environment, even from one room to another. Ficus enjoy an outing for the summer when night time temperatures have risen above 50 degrees F. and placed in a shady location. They respond favorably to being outdoors with plenty of light, fresh air, humidity and rain water. Healthy green leaves grow abundantly, but when they go back indoors in early fall, before the night time temperatures drop below 50 degrees F., they will lose some of their leaves. They will lose even more, if subjected to colder night temperatures. It is best to place them in the brightest widow, so they can adapt easier to the change. In winter it is wise to wipe the dust off the leaves occasionally too.

Ficus benjamina comes from an area that has very distinct seasons. It will shed its leaves during the dry season. When the rains return, new growth comes out and the canopyof the tree fills in. The rule of thumb on watering is that more water is required when the plant is receiving more light and the reverse also applies when less light is available, less water is needed. Many times roots can fill a pot making watering difficult. The water runs out without penetrating the root ball, so check for pot bound plants and plant them in a one size larger pot if necessary. It is generally best to keep the soil moist, but never soggy wet with ficus as well as other foliage houseplants.

A happy, well grown plant rarely has many insect problems, but yellowing leaves can be caused by the common insects of scale, mealybug and spider mites. Check: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1031.html for more information on these insects on on how to treat them. If your ficus tree is summered outdoors, you may want to check the plant carefully for insects. If you see a few, they can be hosed off with a forceful rush of water before taking it indoors. If several insects are seen, you may want to use an insecticidal soap spray to rid the plant of them before bringing it indoors.

Once the tree is stable and growing it requires minimal care, usually a weekly checkof the soil for moisture content and watering if needed. As the tree grows, it may require shaping and pruning, typically every spring, depending on its speed of growth. A well maintained ficus tree can be a stunning addition to your home for many years. For more information about growing various ficus and on general houseplant care, check:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgardenbriefs/h146ficus.html http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/dg1130.html http://www.ficustree.com