My indoor ficus plant is dying. All the leaves fell off. I am horrible about plants.?

Question

Will it comeback and how to give it TLC?

Answer 1

I had a good friend who was also an avid botanist and gardener.  I gave him my dying ficus and here's what he did to make it come back:

He wrapped the plant in clear plastic and tightened the plastic around the plant and the planter with a rubber band.  Every day he'd breathe into this plastic wrap to give the ficus extra carbon dioxide.  And would you believe the plant grew new growth within a few weeks?!?!  Amazing.  That act impressed me so much I became a Master Gardener myself and now try to read up on plants as much as possible.

Ficus are VERY sensitive plants and easily drop their leaves.  They drop their leaves when they are in a drafty area.  They drop them when they are getting too much sun or not enough sun.  They drop their leaves when they need water or when they get too much water.  They drop their leaves when they want to be fertilized.

So...make sure you know your little tree is dying and not just trying to tell you something!

My little ficus (not the same one my friend gave TLC to) dropped its leaves.  I placed the plant in my bathroom by the shower window (north side) and the little guy grew new leaves.  He's looking mighty happy now.  Perhps it wanted to tell me he didn't like the dry location in the living room and likes the humidity better in the darker bathroom?

Answer 2

Ficus does not like to be moved once they have been put in a sunny bright location.  They also like lots of water.  I have 2 that are outside for the summer and doing very well.  They like to be left alone and do like very bright light.  Water when the soil surface feels dry and fertilize with any indoor plant food at least once a month during the summer and every other month in the winter.  Hopes this info will bring your ficus back to life. Steve

Answer 3

It will come back, just be sure to water it well. Mine loses it's leaves every winter and they grow back in summer when I put them outside and regularly water them.