Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Plant Profiles / Weeping fig
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Weeping fig
Ficus benjamina · Benjamin fig
A graceful indoor tree with glossy leaves on arching branches. Often braided into decorative trunks.
Bright indirectLight
WeeklyWater
ModerateCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Bright indirect
ShadeFull sun
Bright.
Water
Weekly
DryWet
When top dries.
Humidity
Average
LowHigh
Adaptable.
Temperature
15–30°C (59–86°F)
CoolWarm
Avoid drafts.
Growth
Moderate
SlowFast
1.5–3 m.
Soil
Free-draining
LeanRich
Potting mix.
Fertiliser
Monthly
RarelyOften
Balanced.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
Sap irritates.
About this plant
Native to South-East Asia and northern Australia. Dislikes moves and drafts, which cause leaf drop.
Best spots
Bright living rooms and offices.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Ficus benjamina |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Origin | SE Asia & northern Australia |
| Plant type | Tree |
| Mature size | 1.5–3 m |
| Growth rate | Moderate |
| Foliage | Glossy leaves |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Cuttings |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Active growth
Prune
Active growthPrune
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Leaf drop | Moves or drafts. |
| Sticky | Scale. |
| Yellow | Overwatered. |
| Sparse | Low light. |
| Mites | Humidity. |
Common questions
Leaf drop?
Keep it in one spot.
Toxic?
Yes.
Prune?
Spring.
Outdoor?
Warm climates.
