Houseplant
Weeping Fig
Ficus benjamina · Moraceae
Also called: Benjamin Fig, Ficus Tree, Java Fig
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) is a low-water houseplant well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It's a moderate to fast-growing houseplant. Expect does not flower indoors blooms N/A indoors.
Weeping Fig at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Bright indirect light indoors with some filtered direct sun. In Tucson protect from harsh direct afternoon sun through glass. Keep it in a consistent location; abrupt changes in light or position trigger heavy leaf drop.
- Mature size
- Indoors usually 3-8 ft tall and 1-3 ft wide; a large tree (up to 50-60 ft) in the tropics.
- Growth rate
- Moderate to Fast
- Bloom
- Does not flower indoors, N/A indoors
- Cold hardiness
- Frost sensitive; keep above ~55-60F, ideal 65-75F. Not reliably cold hardy outdoors in Tucson's USDA 9a-9b frosts, and intolerant of cold drafts.
- Soil
- Well-draining peat/coir-based potting mix with perlite. Not desert soil.
- Native range
- South and Southeast Asia and northern Australia (tropical/subtropical Asia-Pacific)
- Best used as
- Indoor foliage tree, Office/interior decor, Often braided or topiary trained
- Wildlife
- None relevant; grown indoors.
- Toxicity
- Toxic to dogs and cats and mildly toxic/irritating to humans; latex sap irritates skin, eyes and GI tract and is a known allergen/respiratory irritant for sensitive people. Keep away from pets and children.
How to grow Weeping Fig in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Grown indoors in Tucson. Water when the top inch of soil dries, roughly every 5-10 days; keep evenly moist in growth but never soggy, and water less in winter. Tucson's dry air increases water use, but cold/overwatering or letting it dry too far both cause its characteristic leaf drop. Flush salts from alkaline tap water periodically.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Apply a balanced dilute liquid houseplant fertilizer monthly in spring-summer; reduce/stop in winter. Supplement iron/micronutrients if interveinal yellowing appears from alkaline water.
Pruning & care
Tolerates regular pruning and is often trained or braided; prune in spring/summer to shape. Wear gloves, as the sap is an irritating latex.
Notes
Grown as an indoor houseplant in Tucson; not suited to outdoor low-desert sun, aridity or frost. Infamous for dropping leaves after any stress (moving, drafts, light or watering changes) - keep conditions stable. Prone to scale, mealybugs and spider mites in dry indoor air; airborne latex particles can aggravate latex-allergic individuals.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (houseplant care); ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder