Status: 15.01.2024, 19:30 PM
By: Ines Alms
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The Ficus benjamina is not a friend of change. Moving house in particular can be detrimental to his health. But there is a simple solution to the problem.
The birch fig, often simply called ficus, is a popular houseplant. It can be found in many living rooms and offices and sometimes loses its leaves unexpectedly. Could it be that you've recently moved the pot from one room to another? The game "little tree, change", which is popular with children, is not a joy for the Ficus benjamina, but a care mistake.
The ficus often punishes a change of location with leaf loss
The birch fig (Ficus benjamina) is a more sensitive houseplant than many people think. © Pond5 Images/Imago
The birch fig grows quite large, has attractively patterned leaves depending on the variety, and is known for its air-purifying properties. However, caring for the Benjamini is not as easy as it is often rumored. The right location, for example, is crucial for this original forest plant and should look like this:
- Bright, but without direct sunlight (plants with variegated leaves prefer sunnier locations)
- No draughts
- Relatively high humidity
- Constant temperatures: between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius in summer, 15 degrees Celsius in winter
An abrupt change of location often leads to the shedding of the leaves. This can happen, for example, when the plant is moved from summer to winter quarters and vice versa. The simplest solution here is to move the pot just a little bit a day.
From the end of May to September, the Ficus benjamina can also be placed in a container at 20 degrees Celsius on the balcony or in the garden. A semi-shaded spot is the best choice. Since the plant gets less light in winter due to the season, it can also make sense to carefully change the location indoors. In a cool, bright bedroom, the birch fig feels at home.
You can find even more exciting gardening topics in the regular newsletter of our partner 24garten.de.
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