Fig trees are generally quite striking, aren’t they? So, if yours is small and puny, you may find yourself wondering how to make weeping fig grow taller.
Never fear, you have come to just the right place! We are going to learn about the best ways to increase the height – and health – of your Ficus Benjamina.
What You'll Learn Today
How To Make Weeping Fig Grow Taller
In their natural habitat, these trees can get pretty big – we’re talking up to 60 feet high! Obviously you won’t want it to get this big indoors, but a bit of extra height is always good.
- First and foremost, ensure it has the right conditions. A warm spot, bright indirect light and well draining soil are the most important things.
- Avoid overwatering at all costs – this tree really does not like to have its roots sitting in wet soil.
- A bit of fertilizer during the main growing season will help it grow big and strong – simply dilute liquid fertilizer and feed it once a month, stopping in the winter.
- Pruning any plant can help encourage it to make new growth; give it a good haircut once a year and you should find that it rewards you with new growth.
- Keep them away from changes in temperature – a Ficus near a radiator, or an open door with draughts, will not thrive or grow tall.
- Don’t move them too much. This plant is very easily stressed, and as we all know, stress does not equal good plant growth.
- Only repot when absolutely necessary – Ficus’ growth may be stunted if it is placed in too large a pot.
It may take a little time for your weeping fig to get as tall as you want it to – just give it love, and its preferred growing conditions, and it will eventually reward you!
How Tall Does A Weeping Fig Get?
Ficus Benjamina are pretty big plants. In the wild, in their native countries, they can grow up to 60 feet tall!
Obviously, in our colder climates they will not grow so big, and weeping figs kept in pots will definitely be smaller than this.
A weeping fig kept in a pot indoors can grow up to 2 meters tall, given the right conditions.
Don’t assume that increasing the pot size will increase the plant size – Ficus Benjamina actually grow better if they are a little cramped.
If it is kept warm, with plenty of indirect sunlight and good, well-draining soil, it will reach its full potential.
If your weeping fig is looking a little stunted, check to make sure that all its favorite conditions are being met, to ensure it is as happy and healthy as it can be.
How Long Do Weeping Figs Live?
This plant, like many other large trees, can live a surprisingly long time – it might even end up being an heirloom!
Ficus Benjamina can live anywhere between 20 and 50 years – assuming, that is, that it has the right conditions for healthy growth.
As long as it has the right conditions, this plant can quite happily live for many years to come – provided you don’t disturb it!
You will notice that the color of the leaves change as it ages – younger leaves are a lighter green, while the older the tree gets the darker the leaves become.
Let’s start a competition – how long can you get your Ficus Benjamina to live for? In some cases, it might even outlive us!
Do Ficus Need Big Pots?
Because it grows to such impressive heights in the wild, you would be forgiven for thinking that Ficus need enormous pots – however, this is not necessarily the case.
You can still grow a weeping fig tree if you live in a small house with limited space – they don’t need a mansion of a pot!
Ficus Benjamina, helpful for those of us with limited space to grow big plants, actually thrive on being root bound.
This is where the roots are pressed tightly up against the edges of the pot, and it may look as though the root ball is way too tightly compacted.
Growing a weeping fig in a large pot, although that might feel like the kindest thing to do, can actually stunt their growth.
They do not like to be repotted often, so you should only repot when more than 3/4 of the roots are filling the pot.
In case you do need to repot your Ficus Benjamina, here’s some detailed instructions on how to do so.
What Kind Of Fertilizer For Weeping Figs?
Fertilizer is important for plants, especially for indoor plants whose roots can’t stretch out to find the nutrients in the soil.
Ficus Benjamina does very much like a bit of a feed, especially in the summer months when it is actively growing.
You should use an all purpose fertilizer, that promotes foliage and root growth – seaweed fertilizer is a good bet.
It’s up to you whether you use liquid fertilizer or granules – try experimenting with both to see which one benefits your Ficus more.
When you feed, use half strength – whether you dilute your liquid feed, or use half the granules that are recommended.
Whichever fertilizer you use, you should only give it during the summer months, when the plant is actively growing – adding it in the winter will simply build up unwanted salts and minerals.
Fertilise your weeping fig once every two weeks in the summer, then tail off as autumn comes, before stopping completely in the winter when the plant is dormant.
Here’s a great video, showing you the best way to fertilise your Ficus Benjamina:
Growing a tall, healthy tree is obviously what we’re all aiming for, right? Hopefully you now have some great ideas on how to make weeping fig grow taller.
Giving it its favorite conditions, as well as a few other hints and tips, can help you grow an impressively tall weeping fig. You heard it here first!
