What Can I Do With My Bushy Ficus Benjamina?

Ficus benjamina is an attractive houseplant.

Ficus benjamina is also known as a weeping fig and it has graceful arching branches and smooth, light gray bark. Leaves are either dark glossy green or variegated. It is a versatile plant that can be grown as a potted houseplant, braided or twisted into ornamental shapes, or grown in atriums where they can reach 45 to 60 feet in height.

Ideal Growing Position

Avoid placing a Ficus benjamina in draughts and during summer months avoid putting it in very strong sunlight otherwise its leaves may get scorched. They prefer moderate to warm temperatures and do not tolerate low light levels. Ficus benjamina responds to stress, such as over-watering, being moved to a new location and low light, by shedding its leaves.

Pruning

Bushy or overgrown Ficus benjamina can be pruned into any desired shape with pruning clippers. Make sure you make the pruning cuts on a branch just outside the "collar" to avoid damaging the trunk or stem. The collar is the swollen area at the base of a branch. Twigs should be pruned to just above a bud. Pruning can be carried out anytime of the year.

Braiding and Twisting

Trunks of young Ficus benjamina trees are very flexible and can be braided or twisted for decorative effect. Techniques include braiding together the stems of three small seedlings or winding the stem of a young tree around a support to create a corkscrew shaped trunk. As braided stems grow, they graft together to form one large braided trunk.

Leaf Drop

If a Ficus benjamina is moved to a new location, it may drop its leaves. This can last for several weeks but continue to care for the plant as usual. If light levels have changed, the watering schedule may need to be adjusted by monitoring how quickly the soil is drying out.

Watering

Water thoroughly and do not water again until the soil surface is dry to the touch. Bright yellow leaves being shed indicate under-watering. If the plant requires watering more than once a week to avoid yellow leaves, it means the pot is too small and the plant should be re-potted into a larger container. Green leaves being shed are a sign of over-watering or low light or draughts. Allow the soil surface to dry completely before watering and do not allow the plant to stand in water.

References

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Weeping Fig, Ficus benjamina
• New Mexico State University: Pruning and Braiding Ficus Branches
• New Mexico State University: Pruning Ficus Benjamina

Resources

• University of Minnesota Extension: Rubber Trees, Weeping Figs and Other Friendly Ficus