Caring for and Maintaining Your Ficus

Ficus is a hugely popular house plant that is native to India and Southeast Asia. Although it will grow to almost 70’ outdoors in their native lands, inside it will reach about 6-7’ high.

Sunlight: Ficus trees enjoy bright direct or indirect light, with variegated varieties happier in medium light settings. Be sure to keep your Ficus tree out of direct sunlight.

Water: Allow the top 2.5” of soil to dry out between waterings. To gauge the moistness of the soil, insert your finger into the soil to the length of your finger. If your finger is damp or wet and covered with soil when you remove it, then wait a bit longer to water. Your finger should be dry and not flaked with soil before you water your Ficus.

Humidity: Colorado is a dry state with humidity levels much lower than the native environments in which Ficus inhabit. To help create a more humid environment for your Ficus, consider adding a fine mist humidifier to the room(s) in which you have your Ficus. You can also place trays filled with stones and water nearby your Ficus to increase local humidity. Misting your Ficus with a hand sprayer will also help raise the local humidity level. Although the more humidity the better, a constant relative humidity of 50-55% will promote your Ficus’s growth and health.

Temperature: Like most houseplants, Ficus prefers temperatures in the range of 65-85 degrees F (18-30 degrees C). Avoid having your Ficus experience temperatures below 60 degrees F (15 degrees C). Ficus do best in temperatures above 70 degrees, and they absolutely abhor drafty conditions—so make sure to keep your ficus in a warm spot (but not in direct sun), and away from cold air entering your house from open doors and windows. Keep it away from heating vents, as well.

Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix. We recommend either Fertilome or Fox Farm Potting mix.