- Common name:
- Ficus Benjamina Macrophylla
- Regional name:
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- Hindi: पिक्स बेंजामिन (Piks Benjamin) or बेंजामिन अश्रुदार (Benjamin Ashrudar)
- Bengali: বেঞ্জামিন ফিকাস (Benjamin Fikas) or বেঞ্জামিন অশ্রুদার (Benjamin Oshrudar)
- Marathi: बेंजामिन फिकस (Benjamin Fikas) or बेंजामिन अश्रूदार (Benjamin Ashrudar)
- Tamil: பெஞ்சமின் அழுமரம் (Peṇcam-iṉ aḻumaram)
- Telugu: బెంజమీన్ ఫికస్ (Benjamīn Phikas) or బెంజమీన్ అశ్రుదార (Benjamīn Aśrudāra)
- Kannada: ಬೆಂಜಮಿನ್ ಫಿಕಸ್ (Benjamin Fikas) or ಬೆಂಜಮಿನ್ ಅಶ್ರುದಾರ (Benjamin Ashrudar)
- Malayalam: ബെഞ്ചമിൻ ഫൈക്കസ് (Beñcamin Phaikkas) or ബെഞ്ചമിൻ അശ്രുദാർ (Beñcamin Aśrudār)
- Gujarati: બેન્જામિન ફિકસ (Benjāmin Phikas) or બેન્જામિન અશ્રુદાર (Benjāmin Aśrudār)
- Punjabi: ਬੈਂਜਮਿਨ ਫਿਕਸ (Benjamin Fikas) or ਬੈਂਜਮਿਨ ਅਸ਼ਰੂਦਾਰ (Benjamin Ashrudar)
- Category:
-
Shrubs, Trees, Indoor Plants
- Family:
- Moraceae or Fig family
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Introduction
Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla', also known as the Weeping Fig or Benjamin Fig, is a popular houseplant and landscape plant due to its attractive foliage and easy-care nature. This guide will provide essential information on planting, growing, and caring for your Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla', as well as its benefits.
Plant Information
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Botanical name: Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla'
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Common names: Weeping Fig, Benjamin Fig
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Family: Moraceae
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Origin: Native to Southeast Asia and Australia
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Type: Evergreen tree
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Hardiness: USDA zones 10-12
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Size: Up to 60-70 feet outdoors, 3-6 feet indoors
Plantation
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Location: Choose a bright, indirect light location for your Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla'. Avoid placing it near drafts, heating or cooling vents, or direct sunlight.
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Soil: Use a well-draining soil mix, such as a combination of peat moss, perlite, and potting soil.
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Container: Select a container with drainage holes to prevent root rot. The pot should be large enough to accommodate the plant's root system but not excessively large.
Growing
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Watering: Water your Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla' when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering may cause leaf drop.
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Temperature: Maintain a temperature between 65-85°F (18-29°C) for optimal growth.
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Humidity: Maintain a humidity level of 40-60% to mimic its natural habitat. Use a humidifier or place the plant on a tray of pebbles filled with water to increase humidity.
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Fertilization: Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Care
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Pruning: Regularly prune your Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla' to maintain its shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or diseased branches to promote healthy growth.
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Pest control: Inspect your plant for pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, or scale insects. Treat any infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
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Repotting: Repot your Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla' every 2-3 years, moving it to a container one size larger each time. Be cautious not to damage the roots while repotting.
Benefits
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Air purification: Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla' is known to improve indoor air quality by removing toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
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Mental health: Caring for plants, including Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla', can reduce stress levels and improve mental well-being.
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Aesthetic appeal: With its attractive, glossy leaves and elegant growth habit, Ficus Benjamina 'Macrophylla' makes a beautiful addition to any indoor or outdoor space.
