Advanced Plant Care: Ficus Friends - There’s more to life than the Fiddle-leaf Fig!
The Ficus lyrata is not the only pretty Ficus in town. There are many that are just as lovely and easier to care for - imagine that! Here are our favourites:
Ficus elastica - Rubber Plant
Rubber plants are great plants for bright, indirect light but will also thrive in areas that are sunnier. Water when the soil is dry, approximately once every 7-10 days, which may stretch a little longer during the winter months. Mist your plant if your place is on the dry side. There are many varieties of this plant like the Ruby Red and Tineke which have multi-coloured variegated leaves and are truly beautiful.
Ficus benghalensis - Ficus Audrey
Ficus Audrey has the teardrop shaped leaves of the Rubber plant and colouring similar to the Ficus lyrata. With velvety leaves and prominent veining, the Audrey is often cultivated as a bush or tree standard. Mist to keep them clean as their fuzzy leaves will damage, when wiped with a damp cloth. This plant loves bright, indirect light and benefits from watering approximately every 7-10 days.
Ficus benjamina - Weeping Fig Tree
Commonly found in public spaces like libraries and civic centres, Ficus benjamina does not enjoy being moved. It thrives in bright, indirect light and is best suited in morning light with afternoon shade. The benjamina loves humidity, so misting the leaves will prevent them from dropping as will regular watering. You will likely water this plant once a week, give or take a few days depending on the season. Word to the wise; it is normal for some leaves to yellow and drop in the fall. Rest assured, the Ficus benjamina will regrow new leaves in the spring when the days grow brighter.
So, if you have the space why not broaden your Ficus horizons?