Ficus benjamina
Weeping fig, Benjamin tree, Tropic laurel, Java tree, Waringin
- Height × spread
- 2m – 22m × 1.5m – 30m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
Availability
Generally available in Spring & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Popular as a houseplant with a graceful weeping habit, and neat foliage. There are many ornamental foliage forms available, both in shades of green, and in golden and silver variegations. The plant is shade tolerant though the variegated forms need more light to preserve their beauty. The species itself comes from a wide area from India to northern parts of Australia. It is by nature a strangling fig that can climb trees and supplant them. It behaves beautifully as a domestic pot plant, relishing high humidity and tolerant of domestic conditions.
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Weeping
- Height
- 2m – 22m
- Spread
- 1.5m – 30m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Structural
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with high nitrogen feed
Give the plant a feed monthly from May until August using a houseplant fertiliser that is high in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a high value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water moderately in winter
Water moderately.
Give a small amount of water so that the plant doesn't become flaccid (leaves lose their firmness and may droop or look lifeless), or dessicated, but do not saturate the compost or leave it standing in water.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality standard compost.
Alternatively prepare a special compost that is best suited to the plant's needs: mix equal amounts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3), leaf mould, and fine bark.
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).
Found in
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