---
title: "Can my ficus be saved? I did a scratch test on the trunk, and there’s…"
description: "Can my ficus be saved? I did a scratch test on the trunk, and there’s still signs of life (green/white layers under the bark). Over the last few weeks, my…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/drYgeFNITYC1kRhXd53rLg"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Brendan"
published: "2024-08-19T07:31:40.135402Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mwzCoUNLk3FOgHtQ8kISU-KV3arcB3IzAK34_sqdIPQ/aAMWlYotSoq4XoyoOcLJOQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Can my ficus be saved? I did a scratch test on the trunk, and there’s…

_Posted by Brendan on 2024-08-19_

Can my ficus be saved? I did a scratch test on the trunk, and there’s still signs of life (green/white layers under the bark).

Over the last few weeks, my ficus has been dropping all of its leaves. I’ve had it for a year now, and I can’t figure out what went wrong. No recent changes to light, temp, humidity, etc. Moisture meter doesn’t signal any conditions where the roots would rot, but I haven’t dug it out of its pot to check. No signs of pests.

Anyone have any advice on how I could salvage it?

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mwzCoUNLk3FOgHtQ8kISU-KV3arcB3IzAK34_sqdIPQ/aAMWlYotSoq4XoyoOcLJOQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mwzCoUNLk3FOgHtQ8kISU-KV3arcB3IzAK34_sqdIPQ/Lp9hgAYYQeyNLhEwZ53_fw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mwzCoUNLk3FOgHtQ8kISU-KV3arcB3IzAK34_sqdIPQ/kcIK14EUScCnv0k5ysjXAw.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Sarah commented on 2024-08-19

Repot!

#### Brendan replied on 2024-08-19

I’m scared! But I guess I’ve got nothing left to lose. Thanks!

#### Sarah replied on 2024-08-19

I totally hear you!! Just carefully pull it out of the pot and knock the old dirt out from the roots. My ficus does great in an all purpose potting mix (I used miracle grow moisture control in the blue bag). Make sure you have drainage holes in the pot so there isn’t too much water sitting. Or get a moisture meter to test before watering. You got this!!!

#### Brendan replied on 2024-08-20

Thanks for the soil recommendation! I think I need a new pot for this one. The one I’m using doesn’t have drainage, and while I made a very airy soil mix and always checked it with a moisture meter before watering, apparently that’s not going to cut it. Curious to see what the roots look like when I repot tomorrow.

#### Sarah replied on 2024-08-20

Let me know how it goes!

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