How to Bring a Weeping Fig Back to Life

Weeping figs are often used in offices.

The weeping fig plant is one of the most familiar types of ficus plants, especially as a potted houseplant. Rubber plant is another common name for this small tree that goes by the botanical name of Ficus benjamina. In its natural tropical habitat, this tree may grow as tall as 60 feet. As a potted plant, weeping figs maintain a much smaller size. Leaf drop is a common sign of stress in a weeping fig and can make this plant look as if it is dying. Prompt care and proper treatment can help restore the health of a sickly specimen.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Pot
• Potting soil
• Fertilizer
• Insecticide

Instructions

1. Remove the weeping fig from its container. Check the root ball for signs of root rot or root binding, a symptom that occurs when lateral roots wind around the inside of the pot and encircle the root ball. Trim away any blackened or mushy roots with pruning shears. Cut through the lateral roots that twist around the root ball. Repot the weeping fig in a container that is about one and a half times the diameter of the current pot, using a well-drained potting soil.

2. Prune off any dead branches and dried leaves. Remove the cut vegetation from the soil surrounding the plant to avoid introducing bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens.

3. Place the weeping fig in a bright area out of the direct line of the sun's rays. Choose a location where the temperatures remain between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night and around 75 to 85 degrees during the day. Avoid drafty locations where the temperatures tend to fluctuate.

4. Water the weeping fig deeply and thoroughly, allowing a few drops of water to flow from the drainage holes. Empty any water that remains in the drip pan after about 30 to 40 minutes. Let the surface soil dry slightly before watering again. This ensures a level of even moisture around the lower roots at all times.

5. Apply a fertilizer to the soil once every month during the active growing season. Dilute a liquid nitrogen fertilizer to half the recommended strength and apply during regular watering sessions.

6. Check the weeping fig for signs of pests. Weeping fig thrips are a common pest problem in ficus plants. These little insects cause leaf spotting and curling. Apply a foliar spray insecticide or soil drench that contains bifenthrin or acephate, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep weeping figs away from heater and air-conditioning vents to avoid abrupt changes in air temperatures.

References

• University of Florida Extension; Ficus Benjamina; Edward F. Gilman, et al.; 2009
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Weeping Fig; Karen Russ; March 1999
• "Botanica's Gardening Encyclopedia"; Susan Page; 2001

Resources

• Fort Valley State University: Weeping Fig - Ficus