If your Ficus Benjamini is dropping its healthy green leaves, it can be a real heartbreaker. But don’t panic! There are usually a few common culprits behind this, and most of them are easy to fix. Let’s walk through why this happens and what you can do to get your plant back on track.
The Most Common Reasons for Green Leaf Drop
If your Weeping Fig is losing a lot of foliage, you’ll want to act fast. Most of the time, the issue boils down to where the plant is sitting or a little hiccup in your care routine. These are usually quick fixes! It’s actually pretty rare for diseases to be the cause of green leaf drop.
The “Big Three” reasons your Ficus might be acting out are:
- Moving it around too much,
- Cold drafts, or
- Not enough light.
Moving the Plant Too Often
Once a Ficus Benjamini finds a spot it likes, it’s happy as a clam—you’ll see lots of new growth and lush, evergreen leaves. However, these plants are total homebodies. If you move them around frequently, they get stressed and start dropping leaves in protest. Of course, sometimes a move is unavoidable (like if you’re relocating to a new house), but try to pick a “forever home” for your plant and leave it there. Avoid the urge to shuffle it around the room just for a change of scenery!
Cold Drafts
During the winter months, we often keep our Ficus on windowsills in cooler rooms. The problem? These plants hate “cold feet” and chilly breezes. Make sure your Ficus isn’t sitting right next to a drafty front door or a balcony entrance, and try not to leave the window right behind it cracked open when it’s cold out. Pro tip: To keep the root ball from getting chilled, place the pot on a wooden board or a piece of cork/styrofoam to insulate it from a cold floor or stone windowsill.
Lack of Light
Ficus Benjamini loves a warm, bright spot with plenty of natural sunlight. While you should avoid harsh, direct midday sun (which can scorch the leaves), too little light will cause the plant to stop growing and shed its leaves. This is super common in the winter when the days get shorter. If your home is a bit dark, try using a daylight lamp or a specific LED grow light. This helps bridge the gap during those gloomy months and gives your Weeping Fig the energy it needs to keep its leaves right where they belong!
