Ficus Benjamina can easily turn from an evergreen houseplant into a dry, lonely stick with branches sticking out of a flowerpot.
This happens if you do not take into account the plant’s needs in the autumn-winter period.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh, an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", a scientist, agronomist and landscape designer, told why the ficus goes bald in winter and whether this can be avoided.
What is the reason?
It is not at all about leaf fall and the onset of a dormant period, which is inevitable for most plants in the fall.
Despite its unpretentious nature, this plant requires attention.
The main requirements are light and comfortable conditions for development and growth during the period of operation of heating devices.
1. You need to start by assessing the lighting in the room. The leaves will start to fall off due to the short daylight hours.
2. Lack of moisture or its excess also harms the plant. Carefully check the soil moisture in the pot before watering.
3. The harmful effects of drafts and temperature changes can also cause rapid baldness of the ficus.
4. Air humidity during the heating season is another critical indicator, and not only for ficus.
5. There is no need to disturb the ficus unnecessarily. Even if you simply move the pot while wiping off dust, the plant may react.
How to help a ficus
First, create comfortable conditions and eliminate the so-called risk factors.
In any case, be prepared for the fact that the stress caused will require time to adapt.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
