VIDEO: Repot Ficus benjamini

When is it time to repot?

If the pot is your Ficus benjamini has become too small and the plant's growth stagnates, you should repot it. Even if roots are already pushing to the surface, it is time to change the pot. If the substrate no longer absorbs water sufficiently, you must also replace it.

Spring is ideal for repotting. In this way, the plant has enough time in the vegetation phase to optimally root and grow in the substrate.

Tips on substrate and vessel

Ficus thrives well in compost-based substrate. A slight addition of peat ensures healthy growth. Cultivate Ficus benjamini as a bonsai, use bonsai soil from specialist retailers.

Important: A change of substrate, for example to hydroponics, is not recommended. According to "kuebel Pflanzeninfo.de", 90 percent of all weeping figs die which are subjected to such a change.

Choose a slightly larger, but not too large, container. The reason: If the ficus roots are narrowed slightly, the plant puts its growth energy into leaves and new shoots. Your ficus will be nice and bushy.

Repotting correctly - step by step

1. Let the earth dry. Let the Ficus benjamini dry out in the root area before repotting. Often fine roots grow on the edges of the pot, making repotting difficult when the soil is moist.
2. Detach from the pot. When you have held the Ficus benjamini in the plastic pot, press the pot gently with your hands so that the soil and root ball separate from the pot. Then lift the ficus out of the pot. You can loosen plants in clay pots by gently shaking them; If necessary, loosen the plant from the edge of the pot with a knife.

   

3. Prepare drainage. Prepare the larger planter by adding potsherds or clay granules to the pot. The bottom of the pot should be covered about two centimeters.

   

4. Fill with substrate. Fill the pot with humus-rich soil.

   

5. Insert ficus. Now place the Ficus benjamini in the pot.

   

6. Fill up with soil. Fix the plant by filling the pot with soil. Adjust the position as necessary so that the weeping fig is straight.

   

7. Press on the substrate. Carefully press the substrate so that no air holes appear in the soil and the plant is stable. If necessary, refill soil.

   

8. Water. Pour the Ficus benjamini until the water collects in the planter or the drip tray. Remove the excess water to prevent rot.

   

9. Suitable location. Once the ficus has been repotted, move it to a light location free of drafts. The plant can acclimate and grow there.

Ficus benjamini - correct care at a glance

In order for the Ficus benjamini to thrive quickly and vigorously, one should know the needs and the optimal location of the many-leaved plant.

Location	Avoid sunny, bright drafts, lack of light, change of location or temperature
Substrate	Compost-based or hydroponic substrate, avoid changing substrates! For bonsai: bonsai substrate
Watering	Water abundantly in summer, avoid waterlogging, allow the substrate to dry before next watering
cut	Shorten lateral branches to increase height, shorten upper shoots for broad, bushy growth  possible in spring and summer
fertilizer	Liquid green plant fertilizer, alternatively fertilizer sticks, once or twice a month in the period from March to September
Multiplication	Cuttings

As you can see, Ficus is a relatively easy plant to care for. Repot the plant regularly and provide the optimal substrate, the ficus will thank you with healthy green. Whether as a bonsai or houseplant - with the right cut you can shape Ficus according to your ideas.