Ficus (Weeping Fig – F. benjamina, Creeping Fig – F. pumila)
There are many kinds of ficus, and the weeping fig is one of the most-beloved houseplants, growing to a tree-like 8 feet, boasting delicate-looking oval leaves and cinnamon colored bark. Creeping fig is a tiny-leaved vine, great for baskets. All leak a milky sap when cut.
Light - Best in medium to high light for the best foliage on weeping fig; partial shade for creeping fig.
Temperature - Warm 75-85º F days, 60-65º F nights.
Watering - Let the potting mix of weeping fig dry one inch down between waterings; overwatering causes leaf drop. Keep creeping fig evenly moist.
Feeding - Feed with houseplant fertilizer monthly when growing actively.
Potting Mix - Best in an all-purpose potting mix, kept pot-bound.
Tips - New weeping figs may alarmingly drop a lot of leaves over several months; this is usually just an adaptation to the new home. If the plant eventually becomes too bare at bottom, prune hard and don’t water until new growth starts, and then give more light than before.
Written by Graham Rice