Ficus Benjamina - yellowing leaves - Ask Extension
Hi there, attached is a picture of my new benjamina tree that's been with us for about 10 days. but ever since it's been home the leaves have been tur...
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Ficus Benjamina - yellowing leaves #357524
Asked August 29, 2016, 2:59 AM EDT
Hi there,
attached is a picture of my new benjamina tree that's been with us for about 10 days. but ever since it's been home the leaves have been turning yellow and falling off. I have tried watering more and less and putting it out in the sun and taking it indoors but I don't know what the exact problem is because it doesn't seem to improve. I live in the super sunny tropics so I keep most indoor plants outside only for a few hours because the sun light gets scorching towards noon and after. but it's about 25-29 Celsius inside the house and it's not too hot for tje other plants. The soil is slightly damp to the touch and she gets partial sunlight. No apparent fungal issues. Besides the plant shop i got it from had kept her out by the hot and dusty road and she looked fine! any advice on making my Benjamin happy and healthy again? TIA
attached is a picture of my new benjamina tree that's been with us for about 10 days. but ever since it's been home the leaves have been turning yellow and falling off. I have tried watering more and less and putting it out in the sun and taking it indoors but I don't know what the exact problem is because it doesn't seem to improve. I live in the super sunny tropics so I keep most indoor plants outside only for a few hours because the sun light gets scorching towards noon and after. but it's about 25-29 Celsius inside the house and it's not too hot for tje other plants. The soil is slightly damp to the touch and she gets partial sunlight. No apparent fungal issues. Besides the plant shop i got it from had kept her out by the hot and dusty road and she looked fine! any advice on making my Benjamin happy and healthy again? TIA
County Outside United States
Expert Response
Leaves turning yellow and dropping could be a couple of things--stress and fertilization are a couple of triggers. Let me give you a few general tips.
Ficus trees enjoy bright indirect or filtered light. Bright, direct light may result in scalding of the leaves and leaf loss. Ficus trees also cannot tolerate low temperatures or drafts. They need to be kept in temperatures above 60 F. (16 C.) and actually prefer temperatures above 70 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.
When growing ficus indoors, it is 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 do not like overly wet roots. Therefore, when watering, always check the top of the soil first. If the top of the soil is wet, do not 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, you should be aware that they are rapid growers and require plenty of nutrients to grow well. You will need to fertilize once a month in the spring and summer and once every two months in the fall and winter. Use a water soluble fertilizer for houseplants when you fertilize your Ficus. Most important--find a place that is perfect for your tree and never move it. It stresses from moves, drafts, low water and low fertility.
Hope this helps, A
Ficus trees enjoy bright indirect or filtered light. Bright, direct light may result in scalding of the leaves and leaf loss. Ficus trees also cannot tolerate low temperatures or drafts. They need to be kept in temperatures above 60 F. (16 C.) and actually prefer temperatures above 70 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.
When growing ficus indoors, it is 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 do not like overly wet roots. Therefore, when watering, always check the top of the soil first. If the top of the soil is wet, do not 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, you should be aware that they are rapid growers and require plenty of nutrients to grow well. You will need to fertilize once a month in the spring and summer and once every two months in the fall and winter. Use a water soluble fertilizer for houseplants when you fertilize your Ficus. Most important--find a place that is perfect for your tree and never move it. It stresses from moves, drafts, low water and low fertility.
Hope this helps, A
I would like to add my opinion that slightly restates the last few sentences. They do not like being moved but it shouldn't be fatal. Changing environment will cause loss of leaves, so your bringing to your house would cause that, as well as your moving it around. So your kindness contributed to the problem. Undoubtedly it will soon relax and so can you.
Thank you Andy and Geo! I'm in Sri Lanka so it's definitely above 70F and humid year round. I guess moving the plant and different environment may have caused the stress. And didn't know it prefered indirect sunlight to direct. Thanks so much for taking time. Great to know there is a resourceful community out there!
:)
:)
