Weeping Fig — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Ficus benjamina |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–30 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 21.1–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 730–2190 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 304.8–914.4 |
| Mature height (cm) | 304.8–1524 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 304.8–914.4 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 9–11 |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Plant in partial shade to full sun in well-drained, fertile soil; in zone 9, afternoon shade protection extends the plant's cold hardiness and prevents leaf scorch during heat waves. Ficus benjamina is the world's most widely cultivated indoor tree and one of the most popular tropical landscape trees in zone 9b–11 Gulf Coast, Florida, and California landscapes, where mature specimens with their gracefully arching, weeping branches laden with small, glossy, pointed leaves create an elegant, tropical canopy. In warm climates, trees grow to 50–60 feet with an equally broad spreading crown. The smooth gray trunk often develops aerial roots in humid conditions. The plant produces small, inedible figs in zone 10-11 but rarely fruits in zone 9. Ficus benjamina is notorious indoors for dropping leaves when conditions change — any shift in light, temperature, humidity, or watering schedule triggers a stress response. For outdoor landscape use in zone 9b, choose a permanent location as transplanting established trees causes significant leaf drop. The aggressive root system can damage sidewalks, foundations, and underground utilities within 20-30 feet; avoid planting near hardscape or infrastructure. A spectacular specimen when given room and a frost-free site.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0