How to Grow Fig Tree Indoor - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Fig tree indoor is a great plant for anyone who wants to add a touch of nature to their home. These beautiful trees are not only easy to care for, but they also make a great addition to any room.

How to Grow Fig Tree Indoor - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

  • Ficus benjamina
  • weeping fig
  • Benjamin fig
  • Strangler fig
  • Indian Laurel fig

Good to Know

  • A fig tree can be an attractive addition to your indoor décor.
  • They are easy to care for and can tolerate some neglect.
  • Fig trees need bright, indirect light to thrive.
  • watering indoor fig trees about once a week should suffice.
  • Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again.
  • Fertilize your fig tree every two to three months with a general-purpose fertilizer.
  • Prune your fig tree in the spring to encourage new growth.
  • Fig trees are susceptible to a few pests and diseases, such as scale insects and root rot.
  • Regularly check your fig tree for signs of pests or disease and take action accordingly.
  • With proper care, your fig tree should thrive indoors for many years.

Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge

Planting Process

  1. For fig tree indoor, first step is to take a large pot for planting. Size of pot should be minimum 3 times bigger than the root ball of tree.
  2. Fill the pot with high quality potting mix.
  3. Now take the tree and remove it from current pot or container.
  4. Carefully loosen the roots and untangle them.
  5. Place the tree in the new pot and fill around it with potting mix.
  6. Tamp the potting mix gently to remove any air pockets.
  7. Water the tree thoroughly.
  8. Place the pot in a bright location but not in direct sunlight.
  9. Fertilize the tree once a month with a good quality fertilizer.
  10. Water the tree regularly and prune it as needed.

Related plant:
Kiwi Fruit Tree

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, for a fig tree indoor, the best soil is a mix of one part loam, one part sand, and one part organic matter. The organic matter can be compost, sphagnum peat moss, or coco coir. This mix will help the fig tree to retain moisture and nutrients. The soil should be well-drained and slightly acidic. A pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal.

Light requirement

Not too different with other types of trees, fig trees need sunlight in order to grow and produce fruit. If you're thinking about growing a fig tree indoors, make sure you have a sunny spot in your home that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. With enough sunlight, your fig tree should thrive and produce plenty of delicious figs for you to enjoy.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature that a fig tree prefers indoor is 68-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 10 degrees cooler at night. If the temperature falls below 50 degrees, the tree will go dormant and may drop its leaves.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-60% The Fiddle Leaf Fig tree does best in a room with moderate to high humidity. It will also do well in a room with a humidifier. The ideal humidity for this plant is 50-60%. If the air in your home is dry, you may notice the leaves of your fig tree begin to brown and drop off. To increase the humidity around your fig tree, you can: -Place the fig tree on a pebble tray: Fill a tray with pebbles and water. Place the fig tree on the pebbles, making sure the pot is not sitting in the water. -Group plants together: Place your fig tree next to other plants, or group several plants together. This will create a mini- humid environment for your plants. -Use a humidifier: This is the easiest way to add moisture to the air and will benefit all of your plants, not just your fig tree.

Fertilizer Requirement

For the fertilizer, this kind of plant doesn't need a lot. You can use a slow-release fertilizer or organic fertilizer. For the root, make sure it's in a pot that has drainage. If the roots are too wet, they can rot.

Plant Pruning

Pruning your fig tree indoor is an important part of keeping it healthy and preventing it from becoming too large for your indoor space. You should prune your fig tree indoor every year, in early spring before new growth begins. To prune your fig tree indoor, start by removing any dead or diseased branches. Then, cut back any branches that are growing too long or too close together. Finally, trim back any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is best done by taking cuttings from the tips of new growth in late spring or early summer. Use a sharp knife or pruners to take 4-6 inch cuttings from the tips of the branches. Be sure to make a clean cut just below a node. Remove the bottom leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Place the cuttings in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to create a humid environment. Place the pot in a bright, warm spot out of direct sunlight. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy. The cuttings should root in 4-8 weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is relatively slow when compared to other houseplants. However, with proper care, they can grow quite large and provide many years of enjoyment. Fig trees prefer bright, indirect sunlight and should be allowed to dry out between watering. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so it is important to allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. With proper care, your fig tree should thrive and provide you with years of enjoyment.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are mainly pests and diseases. The three most common pests are aphids, mealybugs, and scale. These pests can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off. Diseases include leaf spot, root rot, and stem canker. These diseases can also cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off.

Growing Tips

  • Make sure to provide plenty of sunlight for your plant. A sunny spot near a window is ideal.
  • Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
  • Feed your plant monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune your plant regularly to encourage new growth.
  • Watch for signs of pests and diseases. Treat immediately if you see any problems.
  • Check the roots periodically to make sure they are not crowded. Repot if necessary.
  • Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering to prevent root rot.
  • Avoid exposing your plant to drafts or extreme temperature changes.
  • Make sure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
  • Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Similar Plants

  • Ficus benjamina: the most widely cultivated of all fig trees. It is used both indoors and outdoors. It grows to about 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall, with opposite leaves that are ovate, entire or lobed, and about 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long and 5–12 cm (2–4 3?4 in) broad, glossy dark green. The fruit is small, yellow-brown, ripening orange. The flowers are tiny, borne in closely aggregated, axillary tufts.
  • Ficus carica: a monoecious plant that is cultivated throughout the temperate world for its edible fruit. It is a deciduous tree growing to 4–6 m (13–20 ft) tall, with smooth, light grey bark. The large, glossy, ovate leaves are 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and 3–7 cm (1 1?

Source:
Ficus microcarpa (Chinese Banyan, Curtain Fig, Gajumaru, …
Fig Trees in Arkansas | Varieties, Care, and Fruit Tips
Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' (Brown Turkey Fig, Fig Tree) | North ...

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