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It is suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10b through 11. When cultivated indoors, it typically does not grow taller than 8 feet. This plant is particular about its surroundings, and leaf drop is a frequent complaint. Figuring out the reason behind the leaf loss is the first step in maintaining a healthy houseplant.",[35,36,39],"content-callout",{"title":37,"type":38},"Tip","tip",[16,40,41],{},"Leaf drop in ficus is caused by problems with watering, fertilizing, lighting, and temperature changes.",[43,44,46],"h2",{"id":45},"watering-your-ficus","Watering Your Ficus",[16,48,49],{},"Moist, well-drained soil is ideal for ficus. When leaves turn yellow and fall, it usually signals that the plant is not receiving enough water. If green leaves drop instead, over-watering is typically the cause.",[16,51,52],{},"Water only after the top 2 inches of soil have dried out. Continue adding water until it flows out the bottom of the pot. Wait until the top 2 inches are dry again before the next watering. If water remains in the drip tray for over a day, discard it; otherwise the excess can be absorbed back into the potting mix, leading to overly wet conditions, leaf drop, and in serious cases, root rot.",[16,54,55],{},"To increase humidity, mist the ficus routinely. A cool steam vaporizer or setting the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water can also provide beneficial moisture to the air.",[43,57,59],{"id":58},"fertilizing-a-ficus-tree","Fertilizing a Ficus Tree",[16,61,62],{},"Indoor ficus plants benefit from a monthly application of balanced 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer. Follow the package instructions for dilution, or use half the recommended strength if the plant is under stress. First water the plant and allow it to drain, then pour the fertilizer solution into the pot until it drips from the bottom. After fertilizing, water again to safeguard the delicate roots.",[16,64,65],{},"Excessive fertilizing or a buildup of salts in the potting mix may cause leaf drop. If the plant appears stressed, place the pot in a sink and let a slow stream of room-temperature water run through the mix for up to 15 minutes. This process helps rinse away surplus fertilizer salts. Let all water drain completely before returning the plant to its spot.",[43,67,69],{"id":68},"stressing-your-ficus","Stressing Your Ficus",[16,71,72],{},"Temperature shifts from air conditioning or heating, or even a change in season, can stress a ficus enough to make it shed healthy green leaves. The ideal daytime range is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees.",[16,74,75],{},"Drafts are poorly tolerated by ficus. This includes drafts from open doors, as well as airflow from fans and air conditioning vents. Such drafts can cause healthy green leaves and newly emerging leaves to fall. If possible, eliminate the draft source rather than relocating the tree, because moving the tree can also lead to leaf drop.",[16,77,78],{},"Following a stress-induced leaf drop, the plant usually adapts to the temperature changes over the course of a few weeks. New leaves beginning to appear indicate that recovery is underway.",[43,80,82],{"id":81},"lighting-changes-and-leaf-drop","Lighting Changes and Leaf Drop",[16,84,85],{},"Bright, filtered or indirect light is necessary for the ficus tree, such as from a south or west window covered with sheer curtains. Insufficient light can cause mature green leaves and even new leaves to drop. However, too much light can also be harmful and will scorch the leaves.",[16,87,88],{},"If you move your ficus to a different spot, whether to another window or just across the room, it will often drop a significant portion of its leaves. 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