Regularly fertilizing your Ficus Benjamini is the secret sauce to keeping it lush, vibrant, and growing strong. It ensures your weeping fig gets all the essential nutrients it needs for that signature evergreen look. But before you start pouring, there are a few things you should keep in mind!
Your Fertilizing Options
When it comes to feeding your Ficus, you’ve got two main ways to go about it. Both work great, so it really comes down to your personal routine:
- Mixing liquid fertilizer into your watering can.
- Using solid fertilizer spikes or granules directly in the soil.
Using Liquid Fertilizer
If you go the liquid route, the most important thing is getting the dosage right. Always check the label on the bottle first! It’s much better to under-fertilize and gradually increase the dose than to overdo it—over-fertilizing can really stress out or even damage your plant.
During the peak growing season (March through September), aim to feed your Ficus every two weeks. Once things slow down in the fall and winter (October through February), you can scale back to once every six weeks.
Using Solid Fertilizer
If you’re looking for a “set it and forget it” method, solid fertilizers like spikes or granules are a great alternative. You just tuck them into the soil, and they slowly release nutrients over time. While it’s a bit harder to control the exact dosage compared to liquid, you don’t have to do it nearly as often. Usually, a fresh application in March, June, September, and December is plenty to keep your plant happy year-round.
How to Feed a Ficus Bonsai
If you’re growing a Ficus Benjamini as a bonsai, things change a little. Because bonsai pots hold so little soil, the nutrients get used up much faster. You’ll want to use a liquid fertilizer about once a week. Pro tip: Water your bonsai both before and after fertilizing to make sure the roots stay hydrated and can soak up the nutrients safely.
Fertilizing for Hydroponics
Growing your weeping fig in a hydroculture setup? Make sure you grab a specialized hydroponic fertilizer. These are designed to be more water-soluble than your standard all-purpose fertilizer, ensuring your plant gets exactly what it needs even without soil.
Hold the Fertilizer for New Cuttings
If you’re propagating a Ficus from cuttings, hold off on the fertilizer for a bit. You want the little guy to focus all its energy on developing a strong root system first. Once those roots are well-established, you can start feeding it to help the rest of the plant take off!
