Benjamin fig, care tips in a pot and in the garden
November 11, 2021 77 Comments
The Benjamin fig or Benjamin fig is a spectacular tropical plant with lush green foliage native to Southeast Asia and Australia.
A plant with irregular foliage growth and rapid growth, the Benjamin fig has branches that hang slightly downward. Its smooth glossy green leaves are tongue-shaped with a distinctive arrow-like tip ending.
Very often, the trunk of the benjamin fig in a pot is woven into various shapes to give us an even more impressive aesthetic effect.
Particularly popular as an indoor plant, the fig benjamin can also be maintained as an outdoor plant.
In areas with mild winters, the benjamin fig is planted in the garden, where it grows into a large tree several meters tall with rich foliage and shade.
The Benjamin fig is one of the most beautiful plants for offices and business areas. An ideal choice for the terrace, the yard or inside the house, provided that we place it in a spot with enough light.
Let’s see, in detail, what care the benjamin fig needs to keep it healthy and green without problems.
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1. What are the best-known varieties of ficus benjamin?
The Benjamin fig (Ficus benjamina) is the most famous species of fig and one of the most impressive leafy houseplants.
Varieties of ficus benjamin differ in the color, shape and size of the foliage, as well as in the growth they exhibit.
In terms of color, ficus benjamin varieties range from dark glossy to lighter green, while there are also ficus benjamina varieties (Ficus benjamina variegata) that display bicolor with their green-yellow leaves.
The fig family includes many familiar and beloved plant species. In addition to the benjamin ficus, the elastic ficus (Ficus elastica) with its large glossy thick leaves, the rhoditic ficus (Ficus nitida) with its small oval glossy leaves and the lyrata ficus (Ficus lyrata) with its large leathery leaves are also very common. leaves shaped like a violin.
10 secrets for the care of ficus lyrata
Of special interest is the miniature fig (Ficus microcarpa) which reaches up to one meter in height and is found as a bonsai plant.
It is worth mentioning that the fig (Ficus carica), the favorite fruit tree with delicious sweet fruits, is also a type of fig.
2. In what conditions does the Benjamin fig thrive?
The benjamin fig needs bright places and a mild climate to thrive and to enjoy its rich green foliage.
We ensure shady or semi-shady places for planting that do not come into direct contact with the strong rays of the sun as they can cause burns to its leaves especially on hot summer days.
We should point out that the fig tree is sensitive to very low winter temperatures as well as strong north winds that can cause it to lose its leaves extensively.
We plant the benjamin fig in fertile soil that has good drainage to remove excess water from watering or rainfall, so that excessive moisture does not remain in its root as it can cause rotting.
3. How do we plant the Benjamin fig in a pot?
For planting the benjamin fig in a pot, we choose pots, relatively large in diameter and at least 30 cm, as the fig develops an extensive root system.
When transplanting, fill the pot with enriched, nutrient-rich general-purpose potting soil containing perlite or pumice.
If we have the pot with the fig tree on the balcony, it is advisable to place it in a position protected from north winds and we prefer a point with western or eastern exposure.
Inside the house, we make sure to place the pot away from heating bodies, such as radiators and fireplaces, and we also avoid having it near a frosted window during the winter.
The characteristic glossy foliage of the benjamin fig in a pot
4. How often does the benjamin fig need watering?
The Benjamin fig has significant soil moisture and watering requirements to have healthy green foliage.
When outdoors, water regularly 3 times a week in the hot summer months and 1-2 times a week in the spring and fall.
For ficus plants that we have inside the house, we water about once a week. We make sure to water the plant as soon as the soil in which it is planted dries out.
In addition, on hot summer days, it is good to moisten the foliage of the ficus frequently to avoid the appearance of drying on the edges of its leaves, using deionized or rain water.
Rainwater to cool the leaves
5. How often do we put fertilizer on the Benjamin fig?
Benjamin figs need enough nutrients and fertilizer to keep their foliage shiny and green without wilting or yellowing.
Once a month we add complete granular fertilizer enriched in magnesium and iron for the ficus we have outdoors.
For potted plants, we prefer a liquid green fertilizer, re-fertilizing every two weeks from early spring to late fall.
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6. Which diseases and which insects attack ficus benjamin?
Benjamin fig is quite resistant to attacks by fungal diseases and insects. Of course, in some cases we will encounter infestations from various insects such as plant scab, cotton blight, mealybug and thrips that create problems in its foliage.
To protect the benjamin vine from insect attacks, we spray with an organic preparation of summer pulp or potassium salts that we get from agricultural stores and repeat the application of the spray after 2 weeks.
Alternatively, on a preventive level, we can spray with an improvised solution that we make by dissolving a tablespoon of grated green soap and a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol in a liter of water.
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7. Why does the Benjamin fig drop its leaves?
The most common problem that the benjamin fig can show is the sudden fall of its leaves, something very annoying especially if it is inside our house. Defoliation can be due to reduced or excessive watering, a dry environment, a sharp drop in temperature, low lighting, as well as excessive fertilization with ammonium fertilizer.
To avoid the fall of the leaves of the benjamin fig, especially when it is in a pot at home, we pay attention to the following:
- We keep the benjamin fig in a bright place inside the house.
- We water regularly, ensuring that the excess water leaves the holes in the pot.
- We avoid moving the pot and sudden changes in temperature.
- We ensure a position away from radiators, fireplaces and from the hot or cold currents of the air-conditioner.
- We moisten its foliage in the hot summer season to create a grease environment.
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8. Why do Benjamin’s fig leaves turn yellow?
Excessive watering of the plants, as well as poor drainage of the water in the pot, can cause yellowing of the leaves and browning due to excessive moisture. In addition, yellow leaves on the benjamin fig can be a sign that it needs to be transplanted into a larger pot or a reminder that we have not applied fertilizer for a long time.
5 secrets for transplanting potted plants
To avoid the yellowing of the leaves of the benjamin fig we follow the following tips:
- We water regularly and repeat watering only when the pot dries.
- We observe the roots of the plant to see if they have thickened in the pot and come out from under or on the surface of the soil so that we can immediately transplant.
- We regularly add liquid fertilizer for green plants to ensure lush green foliage.
Why leaves turn yellow on plants and how to deal with it
9. When and how do we prune the Benjamin fig?
The fig tree needs light pruning every year to maintain the vitality of its foliage and to maintain its shape.
A good time to prune the benjamin fig is in early spring, when the winter frost has passed.
When pruning, we remove shoots that have dried out or whose leaves have turned yellow to encourage the growth of new green vegetation.
If the fig has grown very tall and has sparse foliage, prune its top to develop richer foliage below and obtain a more compact crown.
10. How is ficus benjamin propagated?
We can create new ficus benjamin plants easily and economically by the method of propagation by cuttings as well as by aerial cuttings. Let’s look in detail at the steps of each propagation method to make our own ficus benjamin plants.
a) Propagation of ficus benjaminia by cuttings
With the method of cuttings, in the spring we cut twigs from fig plants and plant them in pots that will give us new plants.
- First, we take sections of shoots about 15 cm long in the spring season from the lateral shoots of the plant.
- We put rooting hormone at the base of the graft.
- We plant it in a small pot using a mixture of peat, sand and perlite, in a ratio of 1:1:1.
- Place the pot in a moist environment until the plant takes root.
- After a period of 2-3 months, we transplant the new ficus plants into pots to grow.
b) Propagation of ficus benjamin with aerial cuttings
With the aerial potting method, we place a bag of soil on a fig branch to develop roots and create a new plant.
- We take a stem of the plant and remove the leaves from its base.
- We make a small incision at a point in the middle of the stem from which it will take out roots.
- We put potting soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1 in a bag and tie it so that the point of intersection is inside the substrate of potting soil and sand.
- We keep the soil moist with regular watering.
- Gradually in 6-8 weeks, the benjamin fig shoot inside the bag will put out roots.
- When it takes root, remove the bag and cut off the branch from the original plant at a point close to the roots.
- The new plant is ready to be planted in a pot or directly in the soil.
11. And one last secret for caring for the benjamin fig
When we keep the benjamin fig indoors in the house or office, it usually does not form flowers. Unlike in its natural environment, it can flower and form small fruits, which are excellent food for birds.
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