Question
I have had an indoor ficus tree for about 18 years. It is green and healthy, but the leaves and floor around it are very sticky. Some of the leaves are yellowing and dropping. I feed it Miracle Grow about 2/month during the spring and summer and water it once per week year around. The tree is religiously rotated in its sun position about 5 degrees each week. Should I be worried about the sticky leaves and some of them yellowing? Thank you.

Answer
Hello Bill,

Have you checked for insects?  There are insects - notably aphids and whitefly - which suck the sap from plants and then deposit a sticky substance called honeydew. This can be treated by spraying with an insecticide containing either malathion or derris.  I suggest you put newspaper down on the floor around your plant before you spray or alternatively if you can do it outdoors even better.  The leaves will be yellowing as a result of being attacked by these pests unless they are old and near the base of the plant.

Sometimes leaves "drip" and this is simply transpiration due to the plant having been overwatered but this is not the case in your plant as you have had it for 18 years and know exactly how it likes to be treated.

Once you have rid the plant of the insects - I would wash off all traces of the stickiness and insecticide and keep the leaves clean with frequent sponging with a damp cloth and the occasional misting which helps most plants, especially during the hot months.

Good Luck

Diana