ficus

How to care for ficus plants?

Botanical name
Ficus benjamina
Family
Moraceae

Ficus plants are kept in a bright spot out of direct sun. In summer they are watered kept evenly moist. They are repotted from February to April.

Ficus plants are woody perennials.

ficus
Photo: Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us

Ficus plants through the year

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Repotting
15913172125293337414549
  • repotting

In short

Repotting
from February to April, every two years
weeks 8 to 17
Propagation
layering and cuttings

Growing conditions

🪨
Soil
loamy
💡
Light
a bright spot out of direct sun
💧
Watering in summer
kept evenly moist
💧
Watering in winter
when the top third of the potting mix has dried out
🌫️
Air humidity
high
🧣
Overwintering
must come indoors
📏
Height
90 to 180 cm
⚠️
Toxicity
toxic to cats and dogs, toxic part: sap

Pests and diseases

Listed here is every problem for which the sources name this plant as a host. The problems are not listed in order of how common they are.

Fungus gnats

pest
Signs
Small dark gnats run over the surface of the compost or fly just above it. The larvae, with a shiny black head, live in the compost. At first the plant only loses its healthy look.
Prevention
The trouble is nearly always compost that is too wet and rich in peat: let the top layer dry out between waterings. A layer of sand or fine gravel on top of the pot takes the gnats' place for their eggs away.

Spider mites

pest
Signs
Small pale dots show over the upper side of the leaf, with a generally faded look. In a heavy attack the leaf browns or yellows and the plant dies. When it gets worse, a fine web is visible between the leaves.
Prevention
Most at risk are the plants that stand in the dry air of a room all year. Mist regularly and raise the air humidity to lessen the trouble. Keep new plants apart from the others for a few weeks.

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Related plants

The plant below is in the same botanical family (Moraceae).

fig

Sources about the plant: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, Clemson Cooperative Extension, GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Merck Veterinary Manual, NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, Royal Horticultural Society, Wikidata. Checked between 14 and 24 August 2026. The problem descriptions also draw on: EPPO Global Database.