There’s a good reason why another name for a ficus tree is “weeping fig.”
That’s because if you own one, sooner or later it’s going to make you cry.
The scenario goes like this.
Credit: Daniel Grill/Getty Images
One day, you have a healthy-looking ficus tree sitting happily in the living room.
The next, you find half of its leaves sitting miserably on the floor.
The question is notifit will drop leaves.
emPhoto: Steve Bender/em.
Finicky Ficus Trees Have Their Reasons
Here are four common reasons a ficus tree drops its leaves.
You bought it at a greenhouse and brought it home.See, a ficus tree hates change.
And in your house, it finds dimmer light and lower humidity than in the greenhouse.
These abrupt, new conditions are unpleasant to the plant.
So in a fit of pique, it drops leaves.
It noticed the different light and temperature.
And it’s still mad from being abducted from the greenhouse.
You let it dry out.This plant likes moist soil that drains well.
If the soil gets too dry, it drops leaves, usually while they’re still green.
You overwatered it.When this happens, the leaves often turn yellow and fall off.
These plants are carefree, happy campers.
And they’re all readily available.
Give it bright, indirect lightno hot sun.
Don’t let the temperature drop below 60 degrees.
Keep it out of wind and cold drafts.
Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
Mist the foliage to raise humidity.
Don’t move it from room to roomfind a place where it can live undisturbed.
Falling leaves don’t mean the plant will die.
Hey, that’s just what it does.
