How to Propagate Ficus Benjamina
Ficus benjamina comes from the ornamental fig family. This tree, when grown as a houseplant, is very touchy. Make sure that the place you choose to grow the ficus benjamina plant is where it will remain for many years, because it has a tendency to drop its leaves when moved to another location. Grow the ficus in a window that faces east or west. Ficus benjamina needs bright light, but not direct sunlight. Take cuttings from the ficus benjamina early in the summer for best results. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Sharp knife or scissors
- Glasses
- Water
- Rooting hormone
- Distilled water
- 4-inch pot
- Potting soil
- Pencil
- Wire
- Wire cutters
- Plastic bag
Instructions
-
-
1
Using a sharp knife or scissors, take a tip cutting from the ficus that is 6 to 8 inches long. Take the cutting from new growth or wood that is still green and bends without breaking.
-
2
Remove two or three of the bottom leaves. Make sure you still have 3 to 4 leaves left on at the tip.
-
-
3
Dip the cut end into a glass of water. Shake off the excess water.
-
4
Dip the wet end into rooting hormone.
-
5
Fill a glass with distilled water or fill a small 4-inch pot with potting soil.
-
6
Stick the end with rooting hormone into the water. Remember to change the water every week. Or, if using a small pot, stick a pencil into the soil first to make a hole. Place the cutting with the rooting hormone into the soil.
-
7
Firm the soil around the cutting.
-
8
Water the soil thoroughly.
-
9
Cut two pieces of wire so that when placed into the soil, the wire will be 2 inches taller or more than the cutting. Place wires on opposite sides of the cutting.
-
10
Place a clear plastic bag over the pot. The wire will hold the bag away from the cuttings. The plastic bag will provide humidity to help your cuttings to root.
-
11
Place in a sunny location, but not direct sunlight.
-
12
Check the soil every other day to make sure it is moist. If mold begins to grow on the soil, leave the bag off for an hour. It can take a month or more before the roots form. You can test to see if roots have formed by gently pulling on the plant. If you feel a slight resistance, then the roots have formed. Remove the plastic bag.
-
13
Cut back on the watering. To test if your ficus benjamina needs water, stick your finger into the soil. If the top inch is dry, that is the time to water.
-
14
Repot the ficus benjamina into the next bigger sized pot every spring.
-
1
