For An Indoor Ficus Plant That Thrives, Avoid This Part Of Your Home

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Ficus plants come in a range of varieties such as Ficus carica, or common fig, and Ficus benjamina, also known as weeping fig. They typically bear green leaves that grow in a bushy shape around the central trunk. Some varieties have foliage that appears dark green on top and light green on the bottom, while others feature leaves with light green edging. These variations on the ficus' leaves make them a great choice when decorating your home with plants. However, if the leaves of your ficus are dropping off too early or its growth is stunted, these could be signs that the plant is being exposed to a draft.

Ficus plants are very sensitive to changes in temperature, so placing them near vents — whether you are running your AC or heat — can significantly impact their health and, as a result, their overall appearance. Additionally, you should keep your ficus away from drafty areas, which could be any spots that are commonly subject to moving air. These include areas near fireplaces, windows, access doors to basements or attics, and even plumbing that is connected to the outside. If you're still unsure, a good way to easily tell where drafts are in your home is to light a candle and hold it in the location, making sure to move your ficus first so you don't burn its leaves. If the flame of the candle flickers even when you are holding it still, then that spot likely has a draft. If so, you may want to consider what other locations in your home you could move your ficus to in order to better help it thrive.

So, if you can't keep your indoor ficus near vents due to the change in temperature, where should you put it instead? All varieties of ficus prefer full or moderate sunshine. If you have an older home with drafty windows, choose a room that gets plenty of light that can reach your ficus even in the interior of the room. Keep in mind, however, that strong, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so a spot with bright but filtered sunlight is best. Remember to rotate the plant once a week to encourage even growth throughout.

In addition, ficus can be toxic when ingested and the milky sap can even cause skin irritation, so it is best to place your ficus on a high platform — perhaps something like this NQW 3-tier large plant stand — where it will be out of reach of children and pets. As shown by their dislike of drafts, the temperature of a room is also very important to a ficus. If possible, try to keep them in an area that maintains a comfortable room temperature. 

A good way to check off many of these requirements is by grouping your ficus with other plants. This can be helpful for increasing the humidity around the plants, filtering direct sunlight, blocking any wayward drafts, and creating an eye-catching display to show off your favorite houseplants. Just make sure to regularly check that none of the plants are harboring pests which could spread to the ones nearby.