Ficus Bonsai Tree | Fiddle & Thorn

Basic Ficus Bonsai Tree care

The Ficus Bonsai Tree is definitely the easiest of the Bonsai family to take care of so we recommend this for any Bonsai beginners. Care is a little different for a Ficus Bonsai Tree than other houseplants so it’s important you know the basics.

Light	Bright Direct Light I thrive in bright areas of your home so am best placed near a window.
Water	Water Moderately I don’t like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I’m after.
Humidity	High Humidity I thrive in humid environments so please mist my leaves every so often.
Soil	Potting Soil I need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water.

Ficus Bonsai Trees need bright sunlight

If you have a really bright spot in your home that has too much sunlight for most other houseplants, then this is the perfect spot for your Ficus Bonsai Tree. They thrive in bright sunlight and will really struggle with anything less.

Water once the soil is dry

Ficus Bonsai Trees need a sufficient amount of water and will start to wilt if their soil is dry for too long. It can tolerate the occasional over or underwatering but don’t make too much of a habit out of it as Ficus Bonsai Tree aren’t always that forgiving!

Misting is key

Daily misting of your Ficus Bonsai Tree is the key to its long term happiness! How much you mist each time does depend on the time of year and temperature in the room as they will need less misting during winter as this can leaf to leaf rot and fungal disease.

Warm temperatures are ideal

You want to try and keep your Ficus Bonsai Tree away from cold temperatures and drafts. Average room temperature or above is best.

Ficus Bonsai Trees need regular fertilisation

We recommend feeding your Ficus Bonsai Tree every other week during spring and summer. You will want to decrease this a bit over winter as growth slows to every 1-2 months. If your Ficus Bonsai Tree stops growing during winter then hold off fertilising until spring.

Prune regularly to keep desired shape

Pruning is how Ficus Bonsai Tree parents keep the shape and train their plants. Pruning evens out growth and creates a bushier tree so don’t be afraid to prune your tree often to encourage more leaves to grow.

Propagate a Ficus Bonsai Tree through stem cuttings

Ficus Bonsai Trees can be propagated either by stem cuttings or the air layering method (which is a little more complex). Try to propagate in spring for the best chance of success.

Ficus Bonsai Tree are toxic to pets

Sadly Ficus Bonsai Tree aren’t safe for pets so you will want to keep them out of reach of your furry friends or any small children who might try and nibble on your plants.

Ficus Bonsai Tree FAQs

Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Ficus Bonsai Tree.

How much sunlight does my Ficus Bonsai Tree need?

Are Ficus Bonsai Trees toxic?

Sadly the Ficus Bonsai Tree isn’t pet friendly as it is toxic when ingested.

Can the Ficus Bonsai Tree survive indoors?

Yes, Ficus Bonsai Trees can make great houseplants and this type is actually one of the easiest bonsai trees to care for. They do require a little more work and pruning than other plants, but the rewards are great!

Common Problems with your Ficus Bonsai Tree

Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.

Why is my Ficus Bonsai Tree losing leaves?

Ficus Bonsai Tree can sometimes lose leaves due to natural ageing. If the rate of leaves falling off is quite rapid then dry air, cold temperatures or a lack of sunlight may be to blame.

Why does my Ficus Bonsai Tree have yellow leaves?

Too much water can cause the roots on your Ficus Bonsai Tree to rot which can result in yellow leaves. Inspect the potting mix to see if it is waterlogged and replace if necessary. Going forward cut back on how much you are watering your Ficus Bonsai Tree, making sure the potting mix has enough time to dry out between waterings.

Why does my Ficus Bonsai Tree have dry leaves?

Too little water can cause the leaves of your Ficus Bonsai Tree to dry out and fall off. You want to slowly increase how much you are watering your Ficus Bonsai Tree but make sure you don’t go the other way as too much water can also cause a whole range of serious issues.