Weeping Fig – Suitable for any Interior Decoration

Weeping Fig - Suitable for any Interior Decoration
Weeping Fig – Suitable for any Interior Decoration

It is no exaggeration to say that the most popular of the indoor Weeping fig plants are the plain and elegant Weeping fig (Ficus Benjamina), which always keeps up with the times. It is a true indoor classic. The plant’s thick canopy easily makes it a favorite and a gardening staple. This plant is one of the strongest and most durable of the shrub and tree species. Compact in bonsai or large accents, green leaves or variegated, regular in shape or curly green, Weeping figs are always tough and unpretentious. They will suit any interior decor. This ThumbGarden article will learn how to grow and care for weeping fig.


WEEPING FIG PLANT DESCRIPTION

The species Weeping fig (Ficus Benjamina) has been almost replaced by varieties and ornamental forms from our interiors. But whichever plant (a simple no-name plant or an elite plant with fancy foliage) will come to your house or office. It can safely be considered the most reliable.

The name of Weeping fig (Ficus Benjamina) is still a matter of debate. Its origin was given by a scientist but never confirmed, so most experts agree to spell the name with a small letter. There are also two theories about its origin.

  1. The French word “benjoin” (Benzoin) was mistakenly identified due to confusion with the plant that produces benzoin resin.
  2. from a local Hindi name – “Benjan”.

Nevertheless, Weeping fig has not become boring centuries after its introduction into the culture. It is an evergreen shrub and woody shrub with a spreading, dense, lush crown. The shoots are very thin, usually drooping at the ends, and densely branched. The trunk is round and straight, thickening with time but still graceful.

The beauty of the brush strokes on the brownish-gray bark is not always striking due to the enviable denseness of the greenery. Indoor versions of aerial roots rarely develop, but the tubercles from the aerial roots and the traces of fallen leaves only make the plant more interesting. Weeping fig grows rapidly. It can grow indoors to a maximum height of 80-120 inches (2-3 m).

The leaves are small – 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in length – up to 3 inches (15 cm) in height in the dwarf variety – in the large leaf form, but very pretty. Elliptic-lanceolate, strongly pointed, dense, glossy, leathery leaves sit on short petioles – up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. Foliage lasts 2-3 years, and plants tend to be deciduous under unfavorable conditions.

The typical color scheme of Weeping fig is a bright dark green. However, in varieties of the plant, it tends to be mottled, spotted, or fringed. Sometimes the leaves change shape – from narrow linear, to spirally twisted, to broader oval.

The milky white sap can cause skin irritation. Sap droplets often appear on the buds and petioles, so Weeping fig is best handled with care.

It is one of the best filter plants for purifying the air of heavy impurities.


BEST WEEPING FIG VARIETIES

Bushy King‘ has small leaves on dense, compact plants with narrow yellow margins.
Bushy Prince‘ is similar to ‘Bushy King’, but with glossy, dark green leaves.
Daniëlle‘ has sturdy, thick, dark green leaves. It has a pendulous growth habit. This variety is resistant to defoliation.
Monique‘ is a small variety with dark green leaves with narrow, rippled edges.
Judith‘ is a small-leaved variety with green leaves with a creamy yellow border.’ Judith has an attractive full shape, grows well in reduced light, and has minimal leaf drop.
Midnight Lady‘ has a compact, weeping growth habit. The leaves are dark and curly.
Wasana‘ is particularly suitable for growing as a bonsai. Its foliage is bright green with a white tinge and has an irregular, drooping growth habit.
Golden King‘ has a narrow irregular band of creamy yellow around each leaf.
De Gantel‘ has a broad chalky white margin around each leaf.
Exotica‘ has light green leaves and a pendulous growth habit. Each leaf has a slight twist that adds to the elegance of the plant.
The leaves of ‘Reginald’ are mottled in creamy lime with dark green spots along the midrib. It has a weeping habit similar to that of ‘Exotica.’
Golden Monique‘ has a similar growth habit to ‘Monique’ and similar leaf color to ‘Reginald.’
Too Little‘ is a miniature bonsai ideal for indoor bonsai: it has tiny retrorse glossy leaflets on fine branches.
The leaves of ‘Variegata’ are strongly marked with pure white and gray-green margins. New leaves are usually pure white, but as they mature, the center turns green.


RELATED HOUSEPLANT SPECIES

Ficus binnendijkii has long, narrow, willow-like leaves. The shiny, dark green leaves are ten inches long and taper to a slender point. It is better than the pendant Ficus Benjamina because it can hold the leaves and does not shed too much.

Ficus lyrata has thick, dark green violin-shaped leaves eight to fifteen inches long and ten inches wide. Keeping the leaves dusty or rinsed off is important to prevent dust from interfering with light absorption.

Ficus elastica also belongs to the fig family.


GROWING CONDITIONS FOR WEEPING FIG (FICUS BENJAMINA)

Growing Conditions for Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)
Growing Conditions for Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

If you keep in mind the light-loving nature of Weeping fig and don’t give it an extreme test, you won’t have any problems with your plants. It is easy to find a suitable location in any home.

Lighting and Placement

All varieties of Weeping figs are light-loving. Even “dull” in color will stretch out and drop their leaves if there is not enough light and are best considered light-loving. Orientation is very good, with soft but still bright light from the east and west bay windows and a distance of up to 20 inches (50 cm) from the south window.

Young weeping figs are more sensitive to direct sunlight than older trees, but it is best to avoid exposing any weeping figs to the hot midday light if possible, especially in summer.

Once the daylight hours drop, it is best to move the Weeping fig to a brighter location. Afterglow is also a good idea, but you can simply place the plant near a south-facing window.

This Weeping fig responds by dropping leaves heavily and sometimes even turning over the container.


Temperature and ventilation

Spacious in all respects, this Weeping fig prefers a stable temperature year-round within the usual room parameters – 64-70 °F (18-21°C). It does not like high temperatures very much, but spraying it does not suffer too much. Excessive cooling is very dangerous, especially for the roots. The minimum temperature in winter is best limited to 60 °F (16°C) can kill Weeping fig’s key indicator – 50-55 °F (10-13°C). Any temperature fluctuations will increase the risk of problems if watering or fertilizing is missed.

Weeping fig likes ventilation, but it’s best to protect it from cold winds and the proximity of air conditioners or heaters.


CARING FOR WEEPING FIG AT HOME

Caring for Weeping Fig at Home
Caring for Weeping Fig at Home

Weeping fig prefers regular care in stable soil moisture and average air humidity, with only minor mistakes. So you can’t say it’s a super hardy plant, but it doesn’t have much “impermanence” either.

A. Watering and air humidity
Steady, constant, light air humidity with watering, during which the soil surface dries out from 2 inches (5 cm) to a third of its height – this is the key to success in growing any, even the showiest, Weeping fig variety. Problems can easily be prevented by draining the excess from the tray at once, after a maximum of 5 minutes.

In the summer, watering should be more frequent and adequate, but it should be quite economical to water only half as much in the winter. A complete drought will not benefit Weeping fig, but overwatering will be worse.

For bendjamin ficus, any soft, clear water is suitable. But it must be warmer than the air in the room (often practice watering quite warm, from 86-122 °F (30-50°C).

The bent Weeping fig prefers medium humidity. And it is best maintained by sprinkling and showering (same water quality control).


Nutrition and Fertilization

Fertilization should be based on the growing season. If Weeping fig grows new leaves, fertilization is needed even in the fall and winter. In summer, fertilize every 2 weeks, but in fall and winter, fertilize 3 times less frequently, once every 1.5 months. The manufacturer’s standardized fertilizer application rate is the best.

Both special fertilizers for Weeping figs and general fertilizers for ornamentals are suitable for Benjamin plants. General preparations often do not contain the entire “mix” of macro and micronutrients. Mineral and organic fertilizers can be used interchangeably.


Pruning and shaping

This Weeping fig is used for bonsai, often planted in pairs and clusters to produce the original interwoven trunks and “latticework.” However, even simple pruning can control growth and thicken the canopy. Prune Weeping fig in early spring, shortening the shoots to the desired profile and trying to leave at least 2-3 leaves.


Repotting, containers and substrates

Repotting plants, retaining the earth should be done as necessary – when the roots begin to protrude from the drainage holes. Only topsoil should be replaced annually. The best time to do this is when the plants are actively growing.

The size of the container should be increased only slightly by 1 inch (2.5 cm), too spacious pots Benjamin does not like. Any substrate from a general-purpose multi-component, especially for Weeping fig and palm trees – nutritious, breathable, with a 5.0-7.0 pH response is appropriate. Perlite, sphagnum, vermiculite can be added.


Diseases, pests and cultivation problems

The bent Weeping fig will drop its leaves when it encounters any problem. This is very dangerous for it.

  1. Hypothermia.
  2. Ventilation in the cold season.
  3. Proximity to the heater.
  4. Lack of light.
  5. Pollution of the leaves.
  6. Excessive application of chemical fertilizers.
  7. Micronutrient deficiencies.
  8. Excessive drying and overwatering.

Before the leaves fall off, the plant usually gives out other symptoms such as thinning of leaves or loss of color.

These Weeping figs can suffer from rot, thrips, scales, spider mites, and mealybugs if neglected. Do not hesitate to use insecticides and fungicides for Weeping fig.


PROPAGATION OF WEEPING FIG

This species is easily propagated by root tip cuttings with at least 2 to 3 leaves. If you are experienced, you can also try rooting on a small tuber with only one leaf and an eye.

Rinse off the slice, dry it, and make a slit at the bottom (double it, cross it over a hardwood shoot). Rooting of the top plug is possible in both water and soil, but the stem plug can only be rooted in moist sand or substrate, preferably in low heat. Under steady heat and humidity (with cover), plugs will root fairly quickly.

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