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Florida Strangler Fig

About Florida Strangler 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 aurea

Genus

Ficus

Family

Moraceae

Order

Rosales

Also known as

Strangler fig, Golden fig, Higuerón and ficus atltissima

How to care for Florida Strangler Fig

💦 Water

How often to water your Florida Strangler Fig

Florida Strangler 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 Florida Strangler Fig in your home

Florida Strangler Fig love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Florida Strangler Fig does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Florida Strangler Fig in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Florida Strangler Fig

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Florida Strangler 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 Florida Strangler Fig after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Ficus

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Florida Strangler 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.

Florida Strangler Fig Water Frequency →

Florida Strangler Fig Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Florida Strangler 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 🏡.

Florida Strangler Fig Light Requirements →

Florida Strangler Fig Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Florida Strangler Fig is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Florida Strangler 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.

Florida Strangler Fig Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Florida Strangler 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 Pots for Florida Strangler Fig →

When and How to Successfully Repot Florida Strangler Fig →

What Are Healthy Florida Strangler Fig Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Florida Strangler 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!

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Florida Strangler 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

Florida Strangler Fig is native to worldwide Tropics.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Florida Strangler Fig will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

Florida Strangler Fig Lifecycle →

Florida Strangler Fig Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Florida Strangler Fig →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Florida Strangler Fig can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Florida Strangler Fig Temperature Tolerance →

Florida Strangler Fig Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Florida Strangler Fig →

When to Plant Florida Strangler Fig →

How to Plant Florida Strangler Fig →

Where to Plant Florida Strangler Fig →

Winter Care for Florida Strangler Fig →

Best Companion Plants for Florida Strangler Fig →

Is Florida Strangler Fig a Weed? →

🍂 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 Florida Strangler 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.