Ficus umbellata care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Ficus umbellata

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 5 days

Water thoroughly when the topsoil dries, as a guide; the broad leaves use plenty of water, so in midsummer it dries quickly.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 7 days

Generally water two to three days after the soil dries; growth slows as the days shorten.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every 10 days

Water lightly about four to five days after the soil dries; cold soil that stays wet damages the roots.

Light and placement for Ficus umbellata

A bright window is about right, ideally sun through a sheer curtain; too little light makes it drop leaves and stretch, while midsummer sun scorches them.

Overwintering Ficus umbellata

Overwintering guide: 8°C (46°F) or above

Below about 10°C it tends to shed leaves, so keep it in a bright room with roughly 8°C as the lower limit; even a bare plant usually leafs out again in spring if watered sparingly.

Fertilizing and repotting Ficus umbellata

Fertilizer

Slow-release fertilizer about every two months from May to September; it grows fast on pellets alone, so feed less if you want to hold its size.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Ficus umbellata

• Chilled at a winter window, the leaves yellow and drop in succession.
• Too little light shrinks the leaves and stretches the branches.
• Overwatering rots the roots and the leaves darken and droop.

Tips for growing Ficus umbellata

• Cut it back in spring at the height you want and it branches below the cut.
• The big leaves collect dust; a wipe with a damp cloth helps them catch light.
• Frequent moves make it drop leaves, so pick a spot and keep it there.

More foliage plant care guides

• Fiddle-leaf figFicus lyrata
• Flamingo flowerAnthurium andraeanum
• Grape ivyCissus rhombifolia
• GuzmaniaGuzmania
• Heartleaf philodendronPhilodendron hederaceum
• Inch plantTradescantia zebrina