Ficus Tree Care - Winter Leaf Loss
By Plant Pro
Question: Every year when winter rolls around my Ficus benjamina loses a bunch of leaves. First they turn yellow and then drop. Why is my Ficus doing this? Kaye, Minnesota.
Answer: Most people know Ficus benjamina as the weeping fig and for years it continues to be one of the most popular trees grown for indoor use - even though it does drop leaves when you first bring it home and during the winter. By the way check out of Ficus Tree Care Guide…
- Change in environment
- Over or under watering
- Insect or pests
Losing leaves is a normal process for Ficus trees while caring for them. It is not uncommon for a Ficus tree to lose 20% of its foliage (leaves) as it acclimates to its new environment.
If your plant has enjoyed the summer outdoors, dropping leaves as it goes into its new surrounding can be expected. If the plant has been inside all along then the change can also come from reduced light and drier conditions indoors from heat.
Place your Ficus in your brightest window, they love light and helps with a multitude of Ficus problems.
Ficus benjamina comes from a region with distinct seasons. The Ficus sheds its leaves during the dry season and when the rainy season returns, new growth fills out and the canopy.
As a general rule of thumb - water more when the plant gets lots of light and less s when less light is available. Why? Less light means less growth and water need. Ficus have aggressive root systems and can quickly fill a pot with roots making watering difficult. Check to make sure they are not rootbound, if so your Ficus may need repotting into slightly larger pot. In general keep the soil your Ficus moist, but never soggy wet.
A happy, well grown Ficus tree rarely has many insect problems, but yellowing leaves can be caused by the common insects of scale, mealybug and spider mites.
Once a Ficus tree is stable and actively growing care is minimal, usually all that is needed will be a weekly check of the soil moisture and watering if needed. Over time as the Ficus tree grows, pruning and shaping may be required, typically every spring, depending on its speed of growth.
A well maintained ficus tree can be a stunning addition to any home for years. For more information on Ficus tree care visit FicusCare.com
My Mom gave me her two 27+ year old Ficus trees which have always been strong good plants–I remember them that way growing up. I am keeping them away from our new Puppy while she learns not to chew on everything. Recently (I am VERY ashamed to say this) I left my apartment in San Francisco and went home (pretty close by tho) for about 2.5/3 weeks of vacation. Over this time I did not water the trees at all, or perhaps just once. I came back to one of the trees doing fine, a few yellow leaves but otherwise ok. However the other tree, which is closer to the window and gets a bit of direct sunlight had about 60% of its leaves on the branches dry up and some yellow leaves too. I shook and pulled the dead off, but the tree is looking very very sad now. Only 30% of its leaves left and this use to be a beautiful l tree!!! I did scratch the branches and they all have the green stuff underneath, so I know it is still alive, but there are a fair amount of branches with only 5-10 leaves on them. They had little “buds” that look to be new leaves coming on, but my question is what to do to restore this plant to its orginal splendor? Prune? Water like crazy? I’ve been watering about twice a week, for a couple weeks but it doesn’t seem to be getting better :0( What do I do? I have to save the tree!!!
I have a ficus which is planted hydrophonically (only in water) Do you have to do any transplanting, root-trimming etc. My tree is approx. 7ft tall, and has be doing great, however she’s starting to lose (I guess the winter shedding) leaves. The pot is 14″ diameter and 10″ deep. What do you think?
Judy,
Good question! I answered it here: Ficus tree leave dropping.
All the Best,
Gary
We have had our ficus for at least 8 or 9 years. We recently built a sunroom and have it in there. Although it is an all season room, we only turn on the heat when we are in it in the mornings. So it can get cold in there, tho no where near freezing and then it warms up during the day to about 60 or so. We have only had a handful of the really cold days. (We live in NJ) The other day I noticed that we had brown dots on the leaves and when I shook the tree the leaves with the dots fell off. What is happening and how do I fix it? Do I bring it in the house or is it something else? None of what I have read seems to fit what I see.
Thank you.
We have a rapidly losing leaves, very old (20 years?) Ficus tree. The leaves are literally shriveling up, and drying out while still green. We have what seem to be three theories…
1. Over-watering
2. Under lighting
3. Temperature changes caused by using a wood-burning stove this winter.
Help!
Thanks
Les
Hi all
My ficus tree not only loses the leaves,but also
no new leaf could survive,soon after sprouting,it turns into
black,and its a long time it has even stopped sprouting,
do u think there is something i can do for it?
Another question is about the way of propagation,could u
tell me how can i do that?
I would be verry much grateful
Leslie,
The wood burning stove does make me wonder some. At 20 years old I imagine the tree has some size. Remember heat rises.
Maryam,
If your tree continues to lose leaves the environment must not be healthy for it or the care being provided is subject. propagation I would not even consider until you learn the best care for your Ficus. Need help? Check out this Ficus Care Guide
Paula,
Not sure but it sounds like it could be getting a little cold - hence the leaf drop. As for the brown dots, I’d have to see a picture.
I LOVE MY FICUS TREE!!! & SO DO MY CHAMELEONS!!!