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Common Red-Stem Fig

About Common Red-Stem Fig

Did you know that all plants in the Ficus genus produce figs? In fact, the word Ficus quite literally means figs! Even cooler, all figs are pollinated by tiny wasps that use the fruits as a safe place to raise their young. 🐝 Ficus plants also contain latex which emerges as a milky sap when twigs are broken. This latex makes them toxic, so be sure to keep a close eye out if you have children or pets!

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Ficus variegata

Genus

Ficus

Family

Moraceae

Order

Rosales

Also known as

green-fruit fig, red-stem fig and variegated fig

How to care for Common Red-Stem Fig

💦 Water

How often to water your Common Red-Stem Fig

Common Red-Stem Fig needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Common Red-Stem Fig in your home

Common Red-Stem Fig love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Common Red-Stem Fig does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Common Red-Stem Fig in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Common Red-Stem Fig

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Common Red-Stem Fig: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Common Red-Stem Fig after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Common Red-Stem Fig prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Common Red-Stem Fig Water Frequency →

Common Red-Stem Fig Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Common Red-Stem Fig requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Common Red-Stem Fig Light Requirements →

Common Red-Stem Fig Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Common Red-Stem Fig is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

Common Red-Stem Fig Toxicity to Cats →

Common Red-Stem Fig Toxicity to Dogs →

Common Red-Stem Fig Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Common Red-Stem Fig prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Common Red-Stem Fig Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Common Red-Stem Fig does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Common Red-Stem Fig →

When and How to Successfully Repot Common Red-Stem Fig →

💩 Fertilizer

Common Red-Stem Fig should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Common Red-Stem Fig →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Common Red-Stem Fig to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Common Red-Stem Fig is native to worldwide Tropics.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Common Red-Stem Fig can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Common Red-Stem Fig Temperature Tolerance →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Common Red-Stem Fig, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.