I have an indoor plant Leaves are falling off?

Question

I dont know the name of the plant but on the lable the name Ficus the leaves keep falling off have new ones growing but the plant is looking rather thin I water it from the bottom and feed it not near heat and is is good light. Any Idears???

Answer 1

Give it water from the top and put it outside a little or by the window to get some sunlight in order for photosynthesis to take place.

Answer 2

Ficus is a variety of fig and can be very temperamental indeed.

Watering from the bottom is correct, and though it can grow outside in milder parts of the UK it likes a bit of shade - so maybe postion it in a slightly darker part of the room?

Try not to give it too much feed as they prefer more harsh conditions,I used to only water when the soil was really dry.

Problem is so many plants are sold as Ficus, but there are so many different varieties that have different preferences for good growth.

I have a friend who spent a lot of time away, and once when he got home he was confronted with a bare twig, but with a small amount of attention it rallied round again.
Don't give up.

:-)

Answer 3

Ficus are pretty easy to grow. They do need light, dry times and moist times, (over watering is the #1 reason for indoor plant failure.) You might be doing that. Are the leaves dark green? Or are they yellow, or yellowing? If so, you are overwatering it.

Are the leaves brown and dry? Then you are not watering it enough. Are the leaves hanging down more than they were when you bought it? That also also indicates not enough water.
Finally, have you been feeding it? Plants, like people, need food. Ask at your garden center for a good ficus food.

If none of these helps, look under the leaves for bugs, or signs of bugs. Diseases may also harm plants. To determine a plant disease you need to take your plant to a good nursery in your area. Not a Home Depot, or Lowe's. They do not have horticulturalists on staff. Good luck.

Answer 4

Ficus benjamina, or commonly called the weeping fig, is one of the most popular trees that are grown indoors. There are 3 main reasons for them to commonly loose their leaves: (a) adapting to a new environment, (b) over/under watering and (c) insects.

It is normal for a ficus to lose 20% of its foliage as it adapts to a new environment, even from one room to another. Ficus enjoy an outing for the summer when night time temperatures have risen above 50 degrees F. and placed in a shady location. They respond favorably to being outdoors with plenty of light, fresh air, humidity and rain water. Healthy green leaves grow abundantly, but when they go back indoors in early fall, before the night time temperatures drop below 50 degrees F., they will lose some of their leaves. They will lose even more, if subjected to colder night temperatures. It is best to place them in the brightest widow, so they can adapt easier to the change. In winter it is wise to wipe the dust off the leaves occasionally too.

Ficus benjamina comes from an area that has very distinct seasons. It will shed its leaves during the dry season. When the rains return, new growth comes out and the canopyof the tree fills in. The rule of thumb on watering is that more water is required when the plant is receiving more light and the reverse also applies when less light is available, less water is needed. Many times roots can fill a pot making watering difficult. The water runs out without penetrating the root ball, so check for pot bound plants and plant them in a one size larger pot if necessary. It is generally best to keep the soil moist, but never soggy wet with ficus as well as other foliage houseplants.

Answer 5

Hi

If it is the plant I am thinking of, has little slim leaves? When I was helping out in a garden centre, at the back were a few of these with no leaves on and I was going to clear them away. The guy I was with said, no "leave" (sorry just saw the pun in that) them, I can bring them back and they'll do fine. How? I said, he said you need to spray them every day with tepid water and eventually they will reshoot all over not just at the top.

I have been given one of these plants since, and when I was ill for a while I, as you do, forgot it. All its leaves fell off. So I dutifully sprayed every day and yes eventually it grew back into a lovely plant. I try to remember to spray once of twice a week and it has grown big and well every since.

Cheers, Seahorse

Answer 6

Ficus common name rubber plant ... soak it by putting it in a large cotainer of water untill the bubbles stop riseing ... feed it once a week with a high nitrogen feed

Answer 7

Dear friend, your plant may needs some minerals, then add alittle bit salt ,sugar to its food and even put an iron pin, which is rusted, in its soil. Finally be sure that it receives sufficient sun light and fresh air if is necessary.

Answer 8

maybe it needs more water?