Weeping fig care guide

The weeping fig is a graceful indoor tree with small, glossy leaves on arching branches. It has a reputation for dropping leaves. That reputation is earned, but there is a reason, and a fix. Give it bright light and leave it in one spot.

Light

Give it bright, indirect light, near a large east, south, or west window. A few hours of gentle sun helps.

In low light, it drops leaves until it has only as many as the light can support.

Why it drops leaves

Every leaf on a fig is built for the light it grew in. Move the tree to a dimmer spot, and it sheds the leaves it can no longer support, then grows new ones suited to the new light. Research on ficus growers found that trees grown in shade at the nursery drop far fewer leaves indoors than trees grown in full sun.

Expect some leaf drop after you bring a new tree home or move it. It takes a few weeks to settle. Read more in the fiddle leaf fig care guide, which has the same habit.

Cold drafts, dry soil, and soggy soil make it drop leaves too.

Water

Water when the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. Keep the routine steady.

Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a well-draining houseplant mix.

Weeping figs like a snug pot. Repot every two to three years in spring, one size up. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Average room air is fine. Keep it between 16 and 27°C (60 and 80°F), and above 15°C (60°F). Keep it away from heat vents, fireplaces, and cold doors.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip fall and winter.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or spring to shape it. Cut just above a leaf or branch. Wear gloves. The milky sap irritates skin.

Propagation

Cut a stem tip 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long with a few leaves. Let the sap stop running. Set it in water or damp mix in bright light. Roots grow in four to six weeks. Air layering works on bigger branches.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Green leaves drop after a move	Change in light. Leave it in one spot.
Leaves drop in winter	Low light, cold drafts, or a heat vent
Yellow leaves that drop	Too much or too little water
Lower leaves only drop	Normal aging, or low light
Sticky leaves	Scale or mealybugs
Speckled leaves with fine webbing	Spider mites

Pests

Scale, mealybugs, and spider mites are the main pests. Look for sticky leaves and small bumps on the stems. Rinse the tree in the shower to knock pests off.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists weeping fig as toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap irritates the mouth, stomach, and skin. Keep fallen leaves picked up if your pets chew.

Varieties

• Plain green is the toughest.
• ‘Starlight’ has leaves edged in creamy white.
• ‘Danielle’ has dark, glossy leaves and a tidy shape.
• ‘Midnight’ has dark, almost black-green leaves.
• Braided weeping figs have several trunks woven together while young.