FROM DRAMATIC TO APATHETIC: A FICUS GROW GUIDE
Read The Room And Help Your New Ficus
From the knarled and funky Ginseng Bonsai to the fuzzy, lush greenery of an Audrey tree, Ficuses are known to make a statement. Some surprising members of the ficus family are Fiddle leaf fig trees and Rubber trees! The plants in this family are unique, each requiring a different level of care. This makes the Ficus family a cornerstone to the whole plant community - any level of plant parent. Ficus plants are perfect if you're looking to freshen up your plant collection and your air! Ficus plant foliage is large and dense, so air is filtered a couple times as it passes through the leaves. As an extra bonus, Ficuses are some of the rare plants that do not outgrow their containers (with some exceptions, like the fiddle leaf fig). If you're happy with the size of your plant - great, keep it there! The plant will get larger if and when you decide to repot. They do benefit from the occasional pruning, if you're looking to encourage new growth. But beware the sap - it is toxic to pets and can cause cold-like symptoms in those with latex allergies.
How To Not Kill Ficus Plants, Generally Speaking
Let there be light.
Lighting is the most important factor to raising a ficus plant indoors. Especially if you have your eyes set on the notorious Fiddle Leaf Ficus (or "fig" if you must). In theory, Ficus plants can live in medium to indirect bright light. But if you want a happy looking Ficus plant, put it in bright light. The more light the better. Assuming you're keeping it indoors.
But, what is "bright light". I am so glad you asked. First, indirect bright light is a spot that you can comfortably read a book without the indoor lights on, and by comfortable- I mean real comfortable. If you're not confident about the light then chances are, your spot ain't that bright. Never lie to yourself about your lighting :)
So that is indirect bright light, and bright light is any lighting that is bright than that, and it helps if you have direct sun rays hitting the spot.
If you don't have enough light, think about adding an artificial grow light. And if you're still stuck, check out our light guide
Then, there's water.
Now that we are clear on the light, let's talk water. I'm sure you've heard about "letting the plant dry out and then water thoroughly" but how do you know when the plant is "dry"? And how much water is "thorough water"?
Letting the plant dry out really depends on your pot size, the idea is to gauge the moisture at the bottom of the soil (where the roots live) by testing the moisture of where your fingers can reach. Let's refer to that zone as the "top of the soil". Depending on your pot size, the top of the soil length varies, and yes you will need this later. If your pot is not from an art museum, then top of the soil length for a 4" diameter pot is 1", 6" diameter is 1-2", 10" diameter pot is 2", 12" is 2-3", 14" is 3", 16" is 3-4"...etc.
The idea is to water when the top of the soil length for your pot size is dry. Now by dry, I mean really dry. Imagine cracking surface in the desert- something like that but not as dramatic. If in doubt, wait it out (hey it rhymes!). Some plants will even wilt/droop their leaves when they need water, like the Fiddle Leaf Ficus or the Ficus Altissmas.
Ok, now that you know when your plant is "dry", wait is it? Double check. Ok, now that it's definitely dry, it's time to water. So what is a thorough watering? For a 10-12" diameter pot, I'd go around the surface of the soil for a nice continous 2 whole minutes! And if your pot is bigger than a little longer, and if your pot is smaller than a little shorter. The amount of water doesn't matter at this point- you can't overwater your plant with more or less water if you've made sure your plant is dry before you water. Overwatering is usually caused by the frequency of your waterings. So when you're sure the soil is dry, then water the * out of your plants :)
source: [insert photo of wilting plant], "I water every 2 weeks with a teaspoon of water, what's wrong with my plant." JUST GIVE IT MORE WATER SUSAN
Other things to look out for
A Ficus plant can be the easiest plant to care for if you have enough light and know how to properly water a plant. However, I find that these small tips can top off the sundae:
- rotate the plant every few days so that the plant gets an even spread of light and doesn't grow weird, unless that's what you're going for?
- fertilize during spring time with fertilizers made specifically for ficus plants. Or, just a regular houseplant fertilizer will do.
- when it's not freezing out, open the windows a little, let there be natural air flow, your plants will certainly appreciate the fresh air it usually gets before you paid someone to evict them from their home [insert side eye]
- keep it away from the radiator you can eat fried eggs but not fried ficus plants.
- if your skin is always dry then introduce a humidifier for the poor plant, don't spray it- it's cute but it doesn't really work...
- sing to the plant, it likes Katy Perry.
Give These Ficus Plants A go
If we've done a good job then you should feel confident in checking these plants out, is it finally time for a (or another) Fiddle Leaf Fig?