Weeping Fig ( Ficus benjamina ) is an evergreen tree, that has been popular as an indoor plant in homes and offices for decades. It has high air purifying qualities and with its decorative appeal, dense leaves and weeping branches; its easy to understand why it is so popular. This species also makes a great bonsai tree. Although in nature this tree can grow reasonably large, it is easily trimmed and kept at 1-2 metres tall as a houseplant.
Ficus benjamina is native to southeast Asia, India and the tropical northern parts of Australia. The Weeping Fig can be grown outdoors in Tropical and Sub-Tropical regions and copes reasonably well in protected locations of Warm Temperate regions; however performs better indoors over winter in these cooler areas. Can be grown in a pot indoors in any climate and is also commonly used for hedging.
Other common names are Benjamin Fig; Small Leafed Rubber Fig; Benjamin’s Tree and Java Fig.
The Weeping Fig is also one of the best indoor plants at filtering out toxic chemicals and improving the quality of the air in your home.
Growth
The Ficus benjamina can reach heights of approximately 20 metres, with a 9 metre spread in its natural environment. The Weeping Fig develops aerial roots that become trunks as it ages, certainly why it is so popular as a bonsai specimen. The leaves are green and oval in shape with a pointed apex, leaves can grow to around 12 cm in length. Fruit normally doesn’t grow any larger that 2.5 cm’s in diameter and are edible, though not eaten commonly and are not cultivated for this purpose.
We don’t recommend attempting to grow this species to a full size tree unless you live on acreage and have the room; it can damage footpaths and other structures if planted too close. The Weeping Fig can be grown as an ornamental potted plant in any climate when kept indoors over the colder months. Will grow outdoors in warmer Temperate climates but will need protection from cold winds and frosts; especially while juvenile. It is drought tolerant once established like most Ficus species. Indoors will cope with a shadier spot but prefers indirect light, direct sunlight can burn juvenile leaves.
FAMILY:
Moraceae
CLIMATE:
Warm Temperate – Tropical (Cold Climates – Indoors Only)
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
4°C to 38°C / 40 to 100°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist well draining soil types, growing best in nutrient rich soils.
LOCATION:
Part Shade while young, hardening off to full sun with age.
HEIGHT:
Up to 20 metres (65 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 9 metres (30 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.2
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Agaonid wasps, Monoecious.
MATURITY:
3-10 years
GERMINATION RATES:
51-83%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-3 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
1500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes, This species has been used in traditional medicine in some cultures.
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes, in The USA, Samoa and Tonga.
EDIBLE:
Yes, but not commonly eaten.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge). 1 year
FACTS ABOUT FICUS BENJAMINA (Weeping Fig)
Ficus Trees are commonly called Rubber Trees because of their sap that contains Latex. People with latex allergies should avoid having a Ficus benjamina plant in their home.
If ever wanting to relocate the position of your Ficus (indoors or outdoors), this process must be done slowly. Acclimatise your Fig by moving it to its new spot initially for an hour each day; if it is coping well increase this period by an hour or two every 2-4 days as long as it is happy. Moving a Ficus to a new location quickly can cause stress and it may drop its leaves.
The Weeping Fig is listed as one of the best air purifying plants on the NASA Clean Air Study.
The species, along with several other Ficus species are also referred to as Strangler Figs due to their nature of attaching themselves to host plants and killing them. They do this by stealing water and nutrients from the ground of its host plant, which eventually starves the plant to death.
