Ficus Care Guide

Best in bright, indirect light. It tolerates lower light, but the leaves grow greener and slower.

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Prefers humidity. Spritz occasionally.

Keep this plant out of cold drafts near open windows or doors.

Hardy outdoors in USDA zones 10 to 11. On a patio, keep it in bright shade out of afternoon sun to prevent leaf burn.

Apply a fertilizer high in phosphorus for root development. As the leaves multiply and the plant matures, switch to a formula high in nitrogen. Apply the nutrients monthly while watering. Refrain from fertilizing during the winter to let the plant rest.

Wait 6 to 12 months before repotting, or until roots grow through the drainage holes. In spring, move it to a pot about 2 inches wider with a well-draining indoor mix and perlite. Water the day before, loosen the root ball, trim any dead roots, and set the plant 1 inch below the rim.

Wipe each leaf from base to tip with a soft, damp cloth, and clear dead leaves off the soil. Wear gloves when pruning, since the milky sap can irritate skin. To make it bushier, cut just above a leaf node; it will branch below the cut. Remove no more than a third of the plant at once, and use the pruned stems for propagation.

Take a cutting between two nodes with several leaves, remove the bottom leaves, and dip the end in rooting hormone. Plant it 1 to 2 inches deep in damp, well-draining mix in a pot with drainage, cover it with a clear plastic bag, and keep it in bright, indirect light. Roots establish in about 6 to 8 weeks.