{"id":6138,"date":"2026-02-04T09:17:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-weeping-fig-plants-ficus-benjamina\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T09:17:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:17:43","slug":"how-to-grow-and-care-for-weeping-fig-plants-ficus-benjamina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-weeping-fig-plants-ficus-benjamina\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow and Care for Weeping Fig Plants (Ficus benjamina)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pests and Disease<\/h2>\n

While leaf drop as a result of changing environmental conditions is far more likely to cause problems for your plant than any other issue, you might also bump up against a few insects.<\/p>\n

Disease pathogens come to call even less often, but it\u2019s still a good idea to be aware of the potential culprits.<\/p>\n

Pests<\/h3>\n

Indoor pests lack natural predators, which allows them to spread pretty much unchecked.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s one of the most common symptoms of a pest infestation? I\u2019ll give you one guess\u2026<\/p>\n

If you said dropping leaves, you win! There are a few common pests that you\u2019ll see on indoor plants.<\/p>\n

Aphids<\/h4>\n

A large aphid infestation can cause leaf drop and yellow stippling on the leaves.<\/p>\n

You will most commonly see them on the green growing tips, but they can feed anywhere.<\/p>\n

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Spraying regularly with neem oil is a standard method for dealing with these pests.<\/p>\n

Because they\u2019re so common, you should be sure to learn how to spot and eliminate these pests if you haven\u2019t already.<\/p>\n

Our article on how to deal with aphids<\/a><\/strong> provides helpful information to guide you through the process.<\/p>\n

Mealybugs<\/h4>\n

Mealybugs, insects in the family Pseudococcidae, are another common houseplant pest. They will feed on ficus plants, using their piercing mouthparts to draw sap out of the tree.<\/p>\n

When they congregate in groups, these little wingless insects are covered in a waxy coating that makes them look more like some type of fungal disease than a pest infestation.<\/p>\n

Learn more about identifying and dealing with mealybugs here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Scale<\/h4>\n

Scale insects appear as little brown or black lumps on the leaves, stems, or trunk.<\/p>\n

You can remove them by wiping with a cotton swab that has been dunked in a bit of rubbing alcohol.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a little tedious, and you will need to do it again every few days over the course of a few weeks, but it\u2019s effective.<\/p>\n

For more tips, check out our guide to scale<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Spider Mites<\/h4>\n

Spider mites love dry conditions, and it just so happens that home interiors tend to be drier than the outdoors.<\/p>\n

These tiny spider relatives are sapsuckers and they leave behind extremely fine webbing \u2013 which is usually what will first tip you off to an infestation.<\/p>\n

The red spider mite (Tetranychus<\/em> spp.) is the most common. Learn more about how to deal with these teeny-tiny pests in our guide<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Disease<\/h3>\n

F. benjamina<\/em> is rarely troubled by disease. Rotting roots are really the only issue you need to watch for.<\/p>\n

Root Rot<\/h3>\n

Root rot can be caused by two problems. The first is standing water around the roots, and the second is disease.<\/p>\n

More specifically, root rot is caused by the fungi Rhizoctonia solani<\/em> and Fusarium oxysporum<\/em>. Both of these species thrive in oversaturated soil \u2013 so in other words, don\u2019t overwater your ficus!<\/p>\n

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Because it\u2019s impossible to tell whether root rot is the result of a fungus or whether the roots are simply drowning in too much water, you\u2019ll need to treat for both probable causes.<\/p>\n

First, remove the plant from the pot and rinse away all of the soil. Trim away any mushy or black roots.<\/p>\n

Next, treat the roots with a biofungicide. Mycostop is an excellent option that\u2019s very effective. Mix it with water according to the manufacturer\u2019s directions and spray the roots.<\/p>\n

Wipe the container clean and sanitize it with a 1:10 mixture of bleach and water (one part bleach to nine parts water). Fill it with fresh potting soil.<\/p>\n

Repot the plant, and wait two weeks before treating the soil with the same biofungicide, following the manufacturer\u2019s directions. Treat one more time two weeks later.<\/p>\n

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Mycostop Biofungicide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pick up Mycostop in five- or 25-gram packets at Arbico Organics<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Find our detailed guide on preventing and treating root rot here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Find Success with Weeping Figs<\/h2>\n

Weeping figs have a bad reputation among some growers.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re known for dropping their leaves at the slightest provocation \u2013 and many have resorted to placing artificial ones in their homes to avoid unnecessary cleanup.<\/p>\n

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Hopefully this guide has put you on the road to success with this elegant houseplant. Knowing what to watch for, and what to avoid, goes a long way towards making your plant happy.<\/p>\n

Are you growing a weeping fig? If so, have you had any trouble with leaf drop? What caused it? Let us know in the comments below so we can share our experiences!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to add a few more ficus plants<\/strong><\/a> to your collection, you might be interested in some of our other guides next:<\/p>\n