As long as the birch fig wears its magnificent foliage, it delights us with its green or variegated varieties in living and working spaces. If the surrounding ground is covered with green leaves, the Benjamini signals discomfort. Read here why the exotic houseplant is losing its leaves. This is how you act now.

The Ficus Benjamini reacts sensitively to frequent changes of location

Repeated relocation causes the leaves to fall

Once your birch fig has settled into the ideal location, it would like to stay here forever. This pronounced loyalty to the location is noticeable at the latest when the green leaves fall after a move. Be patient for 3 to 12 months, because that's how long your Benjamini will take to acclimatize to the new place.

Cold draft makes the leaves fall

One of the most common causes of leaf loss during winter is sudden draft. Therefore, choose a location with the following general conditions for hibernation:

  • A bright, warm window seat with temperatures not below 18 degrees Celsius
  • Far away from tilted windows that ventilate the room
  • At a sufficient distance from the entrance or balcony door

So that the root ball does not cool down from below as a result of a cold bridge on the windowsill, please place the pot of your birch fig on an insulating base.

Lack of light causes leaf loss

Choosing the perfect lighting conditions for a Weeping Fig's location is a tightrope walk. Bright sunlight during the summer time burns the leaves in a short time. In the shady location, the Ficus benjamina falls into a growth depression and throws off the leaves. Especially during the dark winter months between November and February, Benjamini friends struggle with leaf fall. How to act correctly:

  • If there is a lack of light in winter, place the birch fig under a lamp
  • Optionally hang a daylight lamp or special plant lamp (21.99€) over the crown

By driving out the darkness for at least 8 hours a day with the help of an artificial light source, your Benjamini will see no reason to shed the leaves.

tips

Although the birch fig does not like repeated relocations, it has no objection to moving to the summer balcony. So that its pretty leaves don't get sunburnt, the Benjamini is allowed to acclimate for 8 to 10 days in the light shade before it takes up its final location with morning or evening sun.

Category:

Indoor plants