Ficus Benjamina

The weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) forms a graceful canopy of small, glossy leaves over a traditional braided trunk. Choose 5'–6', 6'–7', or 7'–8' in a seagrass basket, black decorative planter, or brushed metal. It arrives in its grower's pot set inside a sealed planter, ready to place.

Details

• Size: 5'–6', 6'–7', or 7'–8' tall
• Planter: Seagrass basket, black decorative planter, or brushed metal
• Light: Bright, indirect light; welcomes some gentle sun
• Pets: The ASPCA lists ficus (fig) as toxic to cats and dogs; the milky sap can also irritate skin
• Best for: Bright living rooms, lofts, atria, and window-lit offices
• Care: Moderate

Grown, delivered, guaranteed

Prepared at the Interior Foliage Design greenhouse, 47-47 58th St, Woodside, NY 11377. Free pickup at our Woodside greenhouse, usually ready within 24 hours, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM. Delivery is $45 to Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Greenpoint, Maspeth, Hunters Point, West Williamsburg and Manhattan below 125th Street; $125 to the rest of Brooklyn and Queens and Manhattan above 125th Street; $195 to Westchester, Nassau, western Suffolk through Riverhead, Greenwich and New Canaan; and $295 to the East End and Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Passaic counties in New Jersey. Every plant carries our 48-hour replacement guarantee; live plants are not returnable (refund policy). Our family has sold plants in New York since the 1970s, and Interior Foliage Design was incorporated in 1980.

Watering

Press a finger an inch or two into the soil and water when it feels dry at that depth, with a modest, measured amount of room-temperature water, enough to moisten the root ball, never a flood. Ficus likes a steady routine and a steady spot: keep it away from drafts and heating vents, and expect a few leaves to fall while it settles into a new room. The sealed planter keeps your floors dry, so a little at a time is always the better choice. In winter, water less often.

Why the weeping fig needs a steady spot

NC State Extension notes that Ficus benjamina performs best in bright, indirect light and is very sensitive to change: when moved, it may drop leaves and grow new ones suited to its new light. Choose its spot once, and it rewards you with a dense, elegant canopy.

FAQ

Why did it drop leaves after delivery? That is how a weeping fig adjusts to new light. Keep it in one bright spot, away from drafts, and new leaves follow.

Which height is right? 5'–6' for standard ceilings, 6'–7' for taller rooms, and 7'–8' for lofts and lobbies.

Is it pet-safe? No. The ASPCA lists the weeping fig as toxic to cats and dogs.