--- title: "Hello - We have a ficus tree given to us by my FIL that he grew from…" description: "Hello - We have a ficus tree given to us by my FIL that he grew from a seedling and is now almost 40 years old! It's been looking very rough over the past year…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/Ga2MAaVQSoGw71tcjeDUNg?language=sv" community: "Pests, diseases and problems 🇺🇸" author: "Planta-medlem" published: "2024-09-10T23:32:38.20479Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ip7-WuEZaBqCiT0Nexw1gmkHvEsuRYRwVXGpVAj99Lg/4kEesYs4QUGAszSkeqG6og.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=sv) / [Pests, diseases and problems 🇺🇸](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md?language=sv) # Hello - We have a ficus tree given to us by my FIL that he grew from… _Postat av Planta-medlem den 2024-09-10_ Hello - We have a ficus tree given to us by my FIL that he grew from a seedling and is now almost 40 years old! It's been looking very rough over the past year with progressive loss of leaves and fullness. The leaves tend dry up and fall off, but it also drops healthy looking green leaves. There isn't much natural light in the room so we have a grow light and try to rotate the plant regularly to provide even coverage. The lamp is on 9 hour daily timer. I've tried longer/shorter periods of light with varying intensities. It's potted in a plastic container with drainage holes and there are rocks on top. I've tried more/ less frequent watering intervals. I've tried misting the leaves. There is no direct air/heat on the plant. Any advice would be greatly appreciated to help rescue this old family tree! Thanks! ![Bilaga 1 av 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ip7-WuEZaBqCiT0Nexw1gmkHvEsuRYRwVXGpVAj99Lg/4kEesYs4QUGAszSkeqG6og.webp?size=large) ![Bilaga 2 av 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ip7-WuEZaBqCiT0Nexw1gmkHvEsuRYRwVXGpVAj99Lg/t-df7LCBQhqfOaSDTpQOWw.webp?size=large) ![Bilaga 3 av 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ip7-WuEZaBqCiT0Nexw1gmkHvEsuRYRwVXGpVAj99Lg/B2BI5Ch3TGacUTmC9FhEdw.webp?size=large) ## 4 kommentarer ### sidnie kommenterade den 2024-09-11 how long has it been sitting in that soil? maybe all the nutrients are gone and it needs some fresh stuff! not an expert, but if it’s not in need of light or water, i would think the soil is the next thing to look into ### David kommenterade den 2024-09-11 Amazing history with this plant! I’m also wondering too if it might be your light. I don’t know much about this ficus but i know with most ficus in general they need a lot of strong light. For example I had a ruby ficus (variety if rubber tree plant) that was not doing anything under my 9watt grow bulb but once i put it right up against the window it stared growing. What might be a cost efficient solution would be to get maybe a multi head lamp and but 2 or so SANSI grow bulbs. I suspect anything 36 watts or higher should do it and leaving that on for 12 hours a day. I hope this helps! #### Bay Area Plant Mom svarade den 2024-09-11 yup, my Benjamina sits outside during summer ☀️☀️☀️ ### B-Angie-B 2024 kommenterade den 2024-09-11 It looks like your friend’s \*\*ficus tree\*\* (\*Ficus benjamina\*), also known as a weeping fig, is experiencing leaf drop and stress. This is common with ficus trees, especially when their growing conditions change or they are under stress. Here are some tailored suggestions based on the description and photos to help the tree recover and thrive: \### 1. \*\*Light\*\*: \- Ficus trees prefer \*\*bright, indirect light\*\* but can tolerate some direct sunlight. While the grow light is a good solution for low-light areas, it might not fully replicate the natural light the plant needs. Ensure the grow light provides a full spectrum of light and position the tree near a window if possible. \- Rotating the plant regularly is a great practice, but try to avoid frequent or drastic changes in light conditions as this can stress the tree. \### 2. \*\*Watering\*\*: \- Overwatering and underwatering are common causes of leaf drop. Ensure that the soil is kept \*\*evenly moist but not waterlogged\*\*. Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out before watering again. Ensure that excess water drains away properly and isn’t sitting at the bottom of the pot. \- Consider a consistent watering schedule and adjust based on the season. Ficus trees need less water in winter when growth slows down. \### 3. \*\*Humidity\*\*: \- Ficus trees thrive in \*\*moderate to high humidity\*\*. Since it's indoors, using a \*\*humidifier\*\* or misting the leaves occasionally can help increase the moisture in the air. \- Dry indoor air, especially if heating is used, can cause the leaves to dry up and drop. \### 4. \*\*Temperature\*\*: \- Keep the plant away from drafts, air conditioning vents, or heaters, as sudden temperature fluctuations can stress the tree. Ficus trees prefer stable temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). \### 5. \*\*Fertilizing\*\*: \- Ficus trees benefit from regular fertilizing during the growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Avoid fertilizing during fall and winter when the tree is dormant. \### 6. \*\*Pruning\*\*: \- Trim back any dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth. This will also help the plant focus energy on healthy foliage. \### 7. \*\*Repotting\*\*: \- If the tree has been in the same pot for a long time, the soil may be depleted of nutrients. Consider repotting it into fresh potting soil designed for indoor plants, ensuring good drainage. \### 8. \*\*Stress Management\*\*: \- Ficus trees are known for dropping leaves when they are stressed, even with minor changes in their environment. Give it some time to adjust, and avoid moving it around too much. \### Final Note: Leaf drop is a common issue with ficus trees but can be overcome with proper care. By adjusting its watering, light, and humidity, the tree should stabilize and begin to grow new leaves. --- _Planta-communityn (https://getplanta.com). Läsning är öppen för alla. För att posta, kommentera och gilla, skaffa Planta-appen: https://getplanta.com/download_