- The weeping fig features branches that bow downward, creating a canopy. Glossy, dark green leaves are oval with pointed tips and generally two to five inches long. The bark is thin and may become damaged easily. Weeping figs bear red, fleshy fruit. As a houseplant, Ficus benjamina can grow 10 feet tall. If placed outside or in an atrium, it may grow up to 60 feet tall and feature a canopy 60 feet wide. It grows best outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.
- Ficus benjamina performs best in a pot with a hole in the bottom. The pot should be filled with soil that drains well. If using basic potting soil, you may need to add perlite or sand to achieve proper aeration. Weeping figs prefer to be root-bound, so re-potting is rarely necessary. Only if the roots of the tree are protruding from the bottom of the pot do you need to consider replanting it.
- Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal for weeping figs. Indoor plants can be set outside in the summer months, but should be placed in filtered sunlight, not direct. Indoors, weeping figs only need to be watered every 12 to 14 days to keep the soil barely moist. Outdoors, due to loss of moisture, plants need to be watered every seven to 10 days. Mist the leaves of the weeping fig to retain moisture.
- One of the most common problems encountered with ficus benjamina is leaf drop. The leaves of the weeping fig often drop due to over-watering. Moving a weeping fig can be detrimental because of sensitivity to change. Changes in temperature or amount of sunlight can cause leaves to drop. Although stress may trigger the loss of leaves, most weeping figs recover after a period of proper care.
- Ficus benjamina is particularly prone to scale, so insecticides may be necessary to get rid of these pests. If grown outside, the weeping fig's invasive root structure may lift sidewalks and driveways. The dense canopy of the weeping fig prohibits many plants from growing underneath it. If grown near streets, the canopy may block street signs. Pruning is recommended to control the size of Ficus benjamina.
