Question
Saved a ficus from the office that they were going to throw out. It's about 14 inches tall with 4 thin spindly trunks that aren't very thick. Lot's of leaves but very pale green. It's in a 5 inch pot and someone has been watering it. Not sure what to do with it. Looks like it needs to be replanted as their are thicker roots? at the surface. Needs to look a little hardier if that makes any sense.

Thanks, Carol.

Answer
Hi Carol,

A 5 or 6-inch pot is about right for now. Your Ficus does not look hardy because it was neglected and discarded. You cannot fix that over night, so be patient without doing anything drastic. New leaves on Ficus benjamina are usually a light shade or green where they first emerge and darken up as they age a bit. Thin stems get that way if they do not get a lot of light when they first emerge.

Here is what you can do. Provide as much direct indoor sunlight as possible - very close to a sunny, uncovered window. Prune back leggy stems by about one-third. Healthy new growth will emerge just below the pruning cuts.  Water thoroughly as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry. Add fertilizer at half-strength monthly. In a couple of months if it requires a thorough watering every 2-3 days, then you can move it up to a 6 or 8-inch pot.

If you follow theses instructions and wait 3-6 months, you will have a very hardy-looking plant!

I have written articles on repotting and on Ficus care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected]. I have also written an indoor plant care book in a PDF format that I can sell you if you contact me at my email address.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com