How to Grow a Ficus Benjamina

A Ficus Benjamina is a large tree that spreads rapidly. It can easily take over your yard due to the aggressiveness of its roots, which can squeeze out all other trees and plants. If you have the space for a Ficus Benjamina, you can grow one if you're ready to invest the time.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Plant your Ficus Benjamina in a large pot that offers room for growth. The pot should have drainage holes on the bottom to prevent fungal growth. The Ficus Benjamina will outgrow this pot quickly.

2. Provide maximum light and warmth while your Ficus Benjamina is still indoors. Keep the soil most. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

3. Fertilize your Ficus Benjamina every 2 weeks in the summer. It isn't necessary to fertilize in the winter time. The fertilizer should be a soluble mixture that provides all the necessary nutrients.

4. Transfer your Ficus Benjamina outdoors when it has some strength and stability. Keep a large distance between your Ficus Benjamina and other trees or plants as they grow rapidly and quickly take over.

5. Stake up the Ficus Benjamina to prevent it from falling over in the wind. Use nursery ties and large stakes. You can also prune it to take the weight off the top.

6. Monitor your Ficus Benjamina for mealy bugs and scale. Mealy bugs will leave white clumps on the back of the leaves. Scale are little bugs that give the leaves a waxy shine.

7. Spray the leaves with a dishwashing liquid and water mixture every 3 to 5 days for 6 weeks to remove mealy bug or scale. Use 20 drops of dishwashing liquid to 1 quart of water.

Tips & Warnings

• If you live in Florida check with the state office to make sure that you can grow a Ficus Benjamina. Many of them are on the "don't plant" list.
• Don't use anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid when you make the meal bug/scale spray.