The Ficus benjamina is a tropical plant of Asian origin whose maintenance is quite easy. This pretty houseplant will be a real cleanser of your environment, provided you water it properly. With a perfectly healthy Ficus benjamina, you can then make the most successful braiding !
How to properly water a Ficus benjamina? Focus on an essential step in the maintenance of this plant.
What are the plant's needs to take into account when watering a Ficus benjamina?
The Ficus benjamina needs humidity to develop and to form its most beautiful foliage. However, if he appreciates water, it should not be present in excess.
To create a humid ambient atmosphere, favorable to the growth of the shrub, you will have to spray water on its foliage on a regular basis. You can use rainwater at room temperature for this. Indeed, it will be necessary to ensure that the plant does not experience any thermal shock with contact with water that is too cold or, conversely, too hot.
The Ficus benjamina will need well-drained soil. A draining substrate will allow water to flow easily through the pot and the soil will dry out faster. With a draining soil, it will therefore be necessary to water the Ficus benjamina regularly. However, good soil isn't everything! To prevent water from accumulating in the pot, it is recommended that a “drainage layer” be placed at the bottom of the pot. Thus, we will place a layer of about 5 cm high in the bottom of the pot, before placing the potting soil. This will allow the water to reach the bottom of the pot more easily and drain through the holes. To form this layer, you can use gravel, clay balls or pozzolana.
How often to water a Ficus benjamina?
Ficus benjamina has three varieties, which must all be watered regularly, but always without excess. Like all Ficus, this species fears excess water which could cause its loss. During each watering, you will therefore make sure that the soil is very dry and you will use non-hard water at room temperature. In order for the soil to dry properly between waterings, it is recommended to provide the plant with water about once a week.
In summer, or in winter when the heating is on and the air is dry, you can then increase the watering frequency. However, it will still be necessary to ensure that the soil is quite dry between two waterings. Conversely, in winter or if the ambient humidity is very high, you can space the waterings a little more apart. Don't hesitate to trust your instincts! A plant that needs water will let you know: dry soil, yellowing leaves, or scanty foliage can be symptoms of water deficiency.
Watering should preferably be done in the morning, especially when the air temperatures are hot in summer. Watering in the afternoon, when it is very hot, could cause a very harmful thermal shock for the plant. The same applies if the water used is too cold or, conversely, too hot.
What precautions should I take to water a Ficus benjamina?
The Ficus benjamina is a species which has a strong leaf renewal. However, a sudden change in environment can accentuate this natural phenomenon. Be aware that uncontrolled watering can increase leaf loss on the plant. Indeed, a lack or an excess of water can have this unwanted effect. If this is the case, you must absolutely watch the soil and make sure to adapt the watering according to the humidity of the latter. Between two waterings, it is best to always wait until the soil is quite dry. If you find that the pot is very light and the soil loosens easily around the edge of the pot, the plant needs water.
The Ficus benjamina will need well-drained soil to develop properly. Improper drainage will inevitably lead to problems for Ficus benjamina. If the soil is poorly draining, it will hold the water longer before letting it escape through the holes at the bottom of the pot. The Ficus benjamina is a species which is fragile at the level of its roots. With a soil that does not evacuate water well, it risks suffering from asphyxiation of its roots which will then rot and prevent the plant from growing properly.
If you are the proud owner of a Ficus benjamina, you should have no problem caring for the plant properly. However, be sure to always check the condition of the soil in order to provide the Ficus benjamina with well-adapted watering. This watering will be decisive in the process of development of the plant, particularly during its growth period.
