Benjamin fig losing leaves
I've had this plant for two years, got it from my mother who cared for it for many years as well, and it never got sick or anything. Now suddenly it lost like 60% of leaves - they're turning yellow and falling down. At first I thought that it was because it's standing above a heater so I moved it to a different place, when that didn't help I thought that maybe it's too cold (my windows are drafty), and moved it again but the yellowing didn't stop. Can anyone help #ficus #benjaminfig #planthelp
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Best Answer
Hi Nerfherder, welcome to Greg!
How long has it been in each of these spots? Ficus tend to get upset when moved or when the seasons change and most plants need 2-4 weeks to acclimate to a new spot.
My guess is that you were right about the heater and it just hasn't had time to acclimate to a new spot yet. This is my first winter with my benjamina and when I brought it inside it dropped leaves for at least a month, but was also still putting out new growth.
The other thing to check with yellowing leaves is your soil moisture. It can be a sign of over/under watering, especially with the season change and the heat turning on.
How long has it been in each of these spots? Ficus tend to get upset when moved or when the seasons change and most plants need 2-4 weeks to acclimate to a new spot.
My guess is that you were right about the heater and it just hasn't had time to acclimate to a new spot yet. This is my first winter with my benjamina and when I brought it inside it dropped leaves for at least a month, but was also still putting out new growth.
The other thing to check with yellowing leaves is your soil moisture. It can be a sign of over/under watering, especially with the season change and the heat turning on.
@nerfherder Hello and welcome to Greg!
First of all, realize that it is normal for a ficus tree to lose some leaves. A few leaves dropping off a ficus tree will not hurt it and it will regrow, but if your ficus is losing more than a few leaves, the following reasons could be why:
Change in environment β The most common cause for dropping ficus leaves is that its environment has changed. Often, you will see ficus leaves drop when the seasons change. The humidity and temperature in your house also changes at this time and this can cause ficus trees to lose leaves. If this is affecting your tree, the leaves on the ficus tree may be yellow in addition to falling off.
To help with this, try to keep your ficus treeβs environment as stable as possible. Keep it away from drafty windows and doors, air conditioners, and heaters. Use a humidifier in the winter, when the air gets dry. Also, once you have placed your ficus tree in your home, do not move it. Incorrect watering β Underwatering or overwatering both can cause a ficus tree to lose leaves. An improperly watered ficus tree may have yellowing leaves and the ficus tree leaves may curl.
Water the soil only when the very top of the soil is dry, but also make sure that your ficus treeβs pot has good drainage. If you accidentally let your ficus treeβs soil dry out completely, you may need to soak the treeβs container in the tub for an hour to properly rehydrate the soil. If you have overwatered the tree, root rot may have set in, and you will need to treat the ficus tree for that.
Too little light β Another reason for ficus tree leaves falling off is that the tree is getting too little light. Often, a ficus tree that is getting too little light will look sparse and spindly. New leaves may also appear pale or even white. In this case, you should move the ficus tree to a location where it will get more light.
First of all, realize that it is normal for a ficus tree to lose some leaves. A few leaves dropping off a ficus tree will not hurt it and it will regrow, but if your ficus is losing more than a few leaves, the following reasons could be why:
Change in environment β The most common cause for dropping ficus leaves is that its environment has changed. Often, you will see ficus leaves drop when the seasons change. The humidity and temperature in your house also changes at this time and this can cause ficus trees to lose leaves. If this is affecting your tree, the leaves on the ficus tree may be yellow in addition to falling off.
To help with this, try to keep your ficus treeβs environment as stable as possible. Keep it away from drafty windows and doors, air conditioners, and heaters. Use a humidifier in the winter, when the air gets dry. Also, once you have placed your ficus tree in your home, do not move it. Incorrect watering β Underwatering or overwatering both can cause a ficus tree to lose leaves. An improperly watered ficus tree may have yellowing leaves and the ficus tree leaves may curl.
Water the soil only when the very top of the soil is dry, but also make sure that your ficus treeβs pot has good drainage. If you accidentally let your ficus treeβs soil dry out completely, you may need to soak the treeβs container in the tub for an hour to properly rehydrate the soil. If you have overwatered the tree, root rot may have set in, and you will need to treat the ficus tree for that.
Too little light β Another reason for ficus tree leaves falling off is that the tree is getting too little light. Often, a ficus tree that is getting too little light will look sparse and spindly. New leaves may also appear pale or even white. In this case, you should move the ficus tree to a location where it will get more light.
I agree with Ashley and Kristy. These plants dislike change and they loathe heating vents.
They DO love lots of light and lots of light will help regrow those leaves! π
Find the brightest spot in your home and place the tree there (covering or diverting a vent if necessary).
I'm so glad you're on Greg!
They DO love lots of light and lots of light will help regrow those leaves! π
Find the brightest spot in your home and place the tree there (covering or diverting a vent if necessary).
I'm so glad you're on Greg!
Thank you all very much! After I moved it the first time, I think it's been in the new spot for around 3 weeks, and when I came home after Christmas so many leaves have fallen that I decided to move it again. This winter in Poland is even darker than usual, I fear, and finding a spot with any light that is not close to a drafty window or a heater might be a challenge but I'll figure something out. I really hope it'll get better in the spring, it was one of my first plants!
I live in the US, in northern New England so not quite as far north as you, but close.
Mine is away from the heater and has a grow light, but it's about 4-5' away so it's not close by any means.
I use full spectrum light bulbs in as many lights around my house as I can and I think it's making a huge difference.
I hope that helps!
Mine is away from the heater and has a grow light, but it's about 4-5' away so it's not close by any means.
I use full spectrum light bulbs in as many lights around my house as I can and I think it's making a huge difference.
I hope that helps!
@PlantMompy thank you! looking into growlights is next on my plant care checklist - honestly this winter I might need one for myself π
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I hadn't used them until this year, and now I keep finding more places to put them. It's been amazing! It definitely takes the edge off for us, too π
I hadn't used them until this year, and now I keep finding more places to put them. It's been amazing! It definitely takes the edge off for us, too π