Ficus benjamina 'Anastasia' - Weeping Fig

For glossy, bushy foliage and a lush aesthetic, this plant is the perfect choice. Glossy mid-green leaves crowd its central, wooded trunk, and bring a woodland view into your home. Each mid-green leaf is bordered by spring green variegation, adding depth and variety to your planting display. Keep your Weeping Fig happy with a humid environment and plenty of light whilst being protected from harsh direct sun. In cooler environments, this tree is deciduous, so if you lose some leaves over winter, don't worry too much - once the temperature increases and the light returns in spring your plant will wake up again. You can avoid this by keeping it warm and moving it closer to your window in winter. Just think about how consistent the temperature and light would be in tropical parts of the world and you can see why it might drop its leaves here in the UK.

Scientific Name
Ficus benjamina 'Anastasia' (Benjamin's fig, cultivar: Anastasia)

Synonyms: Urostigma benjaminum, Ficus benjaminoides, Ficus striata, Urostigma nitidum, Ficus neglecta (amongst others - a lot of specimens have been given different scientific names and then found to be this species)

The current name was first published in 1767, and despite other names cropping up in the interim, it has remained accepted.

Common Name
Weeping Fig, Benjamin Tree, Weeping Ficus, Ficus Tree, Ornamental Fig, Anastasia Weeping Fig, Variegated Weeping Fig

Origin
Native to tropical and subtropical parts of Asia and Oceania. Found in Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, Southern China, India, Laos, Indonesia, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam,, Northeastern Australia, Taiwan and many island nations in between.

Light
Light is crucial here. In spring and summer, harsh direct sun can scorch the leaves, so be sure to keep it in a bright room but slightly away from sunny windows. When there is less light to go around, in autumn and winter, bring it closer to that window and give it a couple of hours of direct sun - at this time of the year it won't be strong enough to scorch and will give your plant that bit of a boost.

Water
Water once the top third of the soil has dried out; sitting in a tray of standing water can cause damage so make sure your fig's soil is clear of any puddles once it's drank its fill. Lukewarm water is best here as cold can shock the roots. Keep an eye on this one when the weather is really hot, as it will need more frequent waters; make sure to reduce in cooler weather too.

Humidity
A stably humid environment will be ideal; if your home is quite dry, a pebble tray under your fig can keep the local humidity nice and high for the plant without needing to make your home damp. If the air is too dry, your plant will grow slower and get brown leaf tips. Keep away from operating heaters and dry draughts.

Soil
A free-draining but somewhat moisture-retentive mix will be important here.  A mix of elements like coir, bark, perlite and a bit of sand can set you on the way. A mix designed for Ficus will work especially well. Repot every three years in spring once the plant outgrows its pot.

Food
Feed every four waters in summer, reduce to every six in winter - this should be enough to keep up with the growth rate at different times of year.

Temperature
For best growth, your Weeping Fig will like to be between 16-26°C. Make sure it doesn't get below 12°C for long periods over winter.

Pet-safe
No, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.

Sprouts Top Tips
When they aren't happy, weeping figs can be prone to dropping their leaves. There are a few reasons this could happen, though, so it's important not to misunderstand:
If you've just bought it, your plant may just be distressed at moving; give it time to get used to its new surroundings.
If it's somewhere very shady, try moving it somewhere brighter; in darker locations your plant will get upset and drop leaves. Make sure you can comfortably read by the natural light around your plant.
Finally, make sure you aren't leaving the plant sat in soggy soil; it can rot if it's left wet, preferring slightly damp soil and for the top to dry out before you water it again.