Helping A Ficus Tree That Is Dropping Leaves

To help with this, try to keep your ficus tree's environment as stable as possible. Keep it away from drafty windows and doors, air conditioners, and heaters. Use a humidifier in the winter, when the air gets dry. And, once you have placed your ficus tree in your home, do not move it.

How do I bring my ficus back to life?

If that does not help to revive your ficus, you may try another option.

Test the limbs to see if they are truly dead. ...
Cut away all dead leaves and dry limbs. ...
Re-pot the ficus. ...
Shake off any soil that remains on the ficus' roots.
Wash the pot out with a mild soap and water.

Why is my ficus drooping?

Incredibly dry soil

If you accidentally let your Fiddle Leaf Fig's soil dry out completely, you may see branches go limp or leaves droop and crisp up. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a good soak is in order.

Why is my indoor tree dropping leaves?

Over- or Under-Watering

Keeping soil moisture levels can be tricky with indoor plants. Leaf drop can occur either because the soil is too wet or too dry. In general, don't water until the top inch or so of potting soil feels dry, and when you do water, give the plant a thorough soaking.

Are coffee grounds good for ficus trees?

Oak, pine, spruce and fir trees also love acidic soil. ... (Most edible plants like acidic soil, but some plants, such as eucalyptus, ficus, chrysanthemum and clematis, prefer alkaline soil). Used coffee grounds make an effective and fast-acting fertilizer for plants and vegetables.

Why does my ficus keep dropping leaves?

Change in environment – The most common cause for dropping ficus leaves is that its environment has changed. ... Incorrect watering – Under watering or over watering both can cause a ficus tree to lose leaves. An improperly watered ficus tree may have yellowing leaves and the ficus tree leaves may curl.

How do you care for an indoor ficus tree?

Ficus plants need consistent, but moderate watering throughout the growing season, with dry spells in the winter. Make sure soil is just moist, not dry or drenched, at all times, but cut back waterings in the winter. Your plant will likely lose leaves during the winter "dry" spell.

How often should I water my ficus tree?

Water thoroughly once a week with room-temperature water. Water the plant until water flows into the saucer, then pour out any excess. Your Ficus tree will do well in average humidity environments but will appreciate regular misting. Your Ficus Danielle will thrive in average temperatures of 60-75 degrees.

Why are my ficus leaves turning yellow and falling off?

Ficus trees require regular watering. If you let your plant dry out, it may respond by shedding its leaves. If your ficus plant is under watered, its leaves will turn bright yellow all over the plant and then drop off. Fix the problem by watering your ficus tree every time its soil dries out to a depth of an inch.

How long do ficus trees live?

“If you give [a ficus] what it needs, it's the closest you come to having a tree indoors,” says Barbara Pleasant, author of The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual. “With the right care, a ficus tree can live for about 20 years.”

What triggers leaf fall?

The changes in weather and daylight trigger a hormone that releases a chemical message to each leaf that it is time to prepare for winter. ... Leaves fall—or are pushed—off trees so that the tree can survive the winter and grow new leaves in the spring.

How do you save a dying house plant?

What you can do is cut back any dying leaves or stems. Leave at least a few leaves to absorb and process sunlight. Be sure the plant has good drainage out of the bottom of its container. When it springs back to life and you see new growth, then consider a general water-soluble fertilizer to help it along.

Do indoor trees lose their leaves?

Just like trees planted in their natural habitats, indoor plants can go dormant and lose their leaves. They can also react to stress by dropping leaves as a defense mechanism.

What is the best fertilizer for a ficus tree?

The best fertilizer for ficus trees is a balanced blend, such as 8-8-8, applied monthly in spring and summer and every other month in fall and winter.

What do yellow leaves on a ficus tree mean?

Yellowing of your ficus leaves is another clear indicator of water stress. Ficus leaves may also turn yellow if the humidity is low. If the soil feels moist, mist the leaves to increase humidity around the plant. Yellowing leaves often occurs on indoor ficus during the winter when indoor air tends to be dry.

How do you prune an indoor ficus tree?

Basic Ficus Tree Pruning

Locate a node where a leaf/twig joins the stem/branch.
Cut on a slight downward slant before a node.
Cut close to the node without cutting into it.
Leave at least one node for new growth on that stem/branch.
To eliminate a branch, cut it back to just before the trunk/limb and do not leave any nodes.

Why is my ficus tree leaves turning brown?

Water Problems

When the plants receive too little water, new foliage browns and eventually falls off. Conversely, when plants are over-watered -- or heavy soil becomes waterlogged -- damage begins at the base of the plant and the oldest leaves turn brown and drop. Allow over-watered figs to dry thoroughly.

How much light does an indoor ficus tree need?

Most ficus trees enjoy bright indirect or filtered light with variegated varieties happily able to take medium light. Bright, direct light may result in scalding of the leaves and leaf loss. Ficus trees also cannot tolerate low temperatures or drafts. They need to be kept in temperatures above 60 F.

How can I make my ficus grow thicker?

Prune your ficus in the spring if you want it to grow fuller. If you've noticed excessively thin areas on your ficus, pruning can encourage branching. Try trimming your ficus in early springtime to encourage branch and foliage growth during the next season.

Do ficus trees like to be root bound?

Trim along the outer areas of the plant's root system to keep the center roots intact and avoid cutting too much. Ficus plants prefer to be root-bound in their pots. Avoid choosing a pot that is significantly larger than the root system, as this can stunt the plant's growth.

When should I repot my ficus tree?

The most obvious time to repot a ficus houseplant is when it has a growth spurt. You'll notice that the plant is filling out and no longer fitting comfortably in its original pot. A larger pot will allow the ficus tree to grow to its full potential.