This amazing piece of information list provides about How to Care Ficus Benjamina and Pruning ficus branches, list of Basic Bonsai Styles

Ficus Benjamina


Ficus benjamina is evolved particularly for its very decorative shiny, green oval leaves, probably the most popular houseplant; it can be prune to almost any size and shape. It is also grown as an evergreen tree of large shrub in offices and used for interior landscaping. Cultivars are available with variegated foliage, wavy leaves and pendulous branches. Trained in ornamental shapes the weeping fig stems are often done that way. As the stems are young and flexible they may be spiraled or braided or twisted into different shapes.

This indoor tree is usually easy to grow if given with enough light and proper care. It can grow as tall as the indoor space will allow, but can easily be pruned to a suitable height and shape. Weeping figs grow best in a bright indirect or curtain-filtered sunlight position, but they will handle some direct sun if the humidity is high. Variegated cultivars grow best in somewhat lower light.


Make sure you keep the soil evenly moist during periods of active growth. In periods of active growth, make sure you keep the soil evenly moist, but the soil should be allowed to dry slightly between watering during the winter and other times of low growth. Weeping figs should never be waterlogged or allowed to sit with water in their saucers because the roots will easily rot. They prefer high humidity levels, so wash your ficus leaves occasionally with plain warm water - this will help the leaves breathe and improves their appearance. Mist leaves frequently, especially in hot weather. Use tepid water for this operation.

Healthy plants should be fed every month or two during the growing season, using a liquid fertilizer. Weeping figs can tolerate being slightly rooted bound, but if the plants will become too crowded, the new leaves that appear will be small and the growth will slow. Re-pot your tree in late winter or early spring, using a general-purpose potting soil. They will grow in most soils, but prefer the well-drained ones, and are drought-resistant once established.

Plants can be pruned to shape as needed. They will even tolerate hard pruning to lessen their size if necessary, but if you have to prune them so hard just remember to reduce watering levels to severely pruned plants.

The most common problem of weeping figs is leaf drop. They seem to react to almost any stress by shedding their leaves. Over-watering, under-watering, drafts, lack of nitrogen and low light can all be causes of leaf drop. They frequently shed leaves when moved to a new location or re-potted, but if growth conditions are adequate, it will adapt to its new location and stop dropping leaves, and then healthy new growth will appear.

Ficus Diseases and Pests

Ficus pests are mainly scale, mites and mealy bugs.
Ficus can be treated with soap sprays for most insect infestations.
Yellow leaves, sticky leaves, off color leaves and/or spider webs indicate insect problems.