Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

How much light does a Weeping Fig need?

Place your weeping fig where it gets bright, indirect light, or sunlight filtered through a curtain. Outdoors, it grows in full sun or partial shade, and full sun is the preferred exposure. Full shade also appears among its outdoor conditions, described as less than 2 hours of direct sunlight or none.

• Light: Bright, indirect light¹

How often to water a Weeping Fig

During periods of active growth, keep the soil of your weeping fig evenly moist. Its water need runs from medium to wet. Root rot usually follows a soil mix that does not drain quickly. It can also follow overly frequent watering. The plant grows in soil that is well drained but occasionally wet.

• Water: Medium to wet¹

Best soil for a Weeping Fig

Soil for weeping fig can be clay, sand or loam, either alkaline or acidic. Drainage should be good, though the soil can be occasionally wet. The facts on file give no pH range for this plant. For repotting, use a general-purpose potting soil. Root rot usually results from a mix that does not drain quickly. Outdoors, it will grow on any well-drained soil.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and occasionally wet²

Temperature and humidity

Plan on high humidity, because weeping figs prefer high humidity levels. No cited source records a minimum temperature for this plant, so that figure is not documented. Outdoors, the plant is listed for USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b. It is a broadleaf evergreen tree. Gardens outside zones 10b to 11b fall beyond the hardiness range on file.

• Humidity: High¹

Fertilizing a Weeping Fig

Feed a healthy weeping fig during the growing season, using a liquid fertilizer. Every month or two is the interval given, and monthly is the frequency recorded for it. The facts on file give no amount or nutrient ratio, so those details are not documented.

• Fertilizer: Monthly in the growing season¹

Pruning a Weeping Fig

Severe pruning is something the plant can tolerate. Two pruning types are recorded for it: light shaping and hard renewal. At maturity it stands 40 to 60 ft (12.19 to 18.29 m) tall and 60 to 100 ft (18.29 to 30.48 m) wide.

• Pruning: Light shaping and Hard renewal pruning²

Repotting a Weeping Fig

Repot your weeping fig in late winter or early spring. The recorded window runs from February to April. The mix named for repotting is a general-purpose potting soil. Root rot usually results from a soil mix that does not drain quickly. The facts on file give no pot size or repotting interval, so those details are not documented.

• Repotting: (Feb–Apr)¹

How to propagate a Weeping Fig

Stem cuttings and layering are the two propagation methods recorded for weeping fig. Cuttings are best taken in summer, while air layering works at any season. Layering is the method with no seasonal limit in the advice given. The facts on file give no rooting medium, hormone or timeline, so those details are not documented.

• Propagation: Stem cuttings and layering^1,2

Common problems

Spider mites and scale are frequent pests of weeping fig. Mealybugs, aphids and thrips can also infest it. Ficus whitefly is on the pest list as well. Root rot is the disease recorded, and it usually results from poorly draining soil or overly frequent watering.

• Common pests: spider mites, scale, mealybugs, aphids, thrips and ficus whitefly^1,3
• Common diseases: root rot¹

Questions and answers

Is weeping fig toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists it as toxic to both cats and dogs. Pet Poison Helpline says irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract may occur following ingestion. The position is the same for cats and for dogs.

How much light does a weeping fig need?

Indoors, it grows best in bright indirect or curtain-filtered sunlight. Outdoors, it grows in full sun or partial shade, with full sun preferred. Full shade also appears among its listed outdoor conditions.

When should I repot my weeping fig?

Repot in late winter or early spring, using a general-purpose potting soil. The recorded window is February to April. The facts on file give no pot size, so that detail is not documented.