Q.Benjamin Ficus Losing Almost All Its Leaves
Hi – I received a benjamin ficus a few months ago. It began dropping leaves, which I know is normal when they are moved. However, the leaves just kept dropping. I moved the plant one time indoors to try to get it more (indirect) light, but can’t seem to keep the leaves from dropping. I’ve been using a moisture meter and I don’t think the soil has gotten too dry, and I mist it regularly with filtered water. I have not fertilized it. But, at this point, almost all the leaves are gone and the ones remaining seem dried out. I’m afraid to move it again and have a tendency to overwater so I’m trying not to water if the moisture meter says it isn’t needed. What should I do? Do a prune all the dead branches and hope it revives in the spring? It looks so terrible!
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Unfortunately, these tree do not tolerate change. Each time the tree is moved, it will endure some level of stress. Unfortunately, you will need to resist the urge to care for the tree. It wants to remain as constant as possible.
This will mean that it will need to stay in one spot, once you find one that suits it. This will be a, bright, but indirectly lit area.
Watering needs to be done once the tree's soil is dry down to about halfway. This will avoid overwatering, while allowing the most important, microbial, layer to get the oxygen that they need in order to fight off the bad, anaerobic, microbes.
Avoid pruning the tree until it recovers. It will with proper care. Here are some articles that will help:
