A Guide To Ficus Belize Care

The Ficus Belize is a large tropical houseplant that prices beautiful variegated leaves that come in green, red and apricot tones. The amazing colours of this plant will only be at their full vibrancy when given the best growing conditions. In this guide we will take you through all the care needs of the Ficus Belize so you can get the best out of it. 

What kind of soil does my Ficus Belize need? 

The Ficus Belize will thrive in a well-draining soil that is well aerated. A good potting soil mixed with one part pine bark and fine perlite is an ideal mix that will get the balance between water retention and drainage right. Avoid any acidic or alkaline soil as it will cause damage to the roots.   

How much light does my Ficus Belize need?

Your Ficus Belize will prefer a bright, but indirect light. Ideally you should put your plant next to, but in front of, a sunny window. You can judge the lighting of your plant by checking the leaves: if they are beginning to brown or droop they are not receiving enough light; if they are blistering and turning yellow they are receiving too much light. You should rotate you plant by ninety degrees once a week to ensure that all of the plant 

How often should I water my Ficus Belize ?

Water your Ficus when the top layer of soil has become dry. Water lightly until it begins to leak out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. In the wild, Ficus plants are sensitive to periods of drought so you need to make sure that your watering schedule is consistent and regular or your plant may shed its leaves. 

Do I need to fertilize my Ficus Belize ?

To maintain the vibrancy of this plant's foliage and to keep it growing evenly you should apply a diluted liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer.  

Pruning Ficus Belize 

Pruning a Ficus Belize is mostly an aesthetic choice, but can be essential in the case of disease or pests. You need to be careful when pruning your Ficus as it’s sap is mildly toxic to humans. When pruning make sure that you wear gloves and wash your hands before touching your face. If you ingest any of the sal by accident seek medical help immediately. 

Pruning a Ficus Belize does two things: control height and growth habit. When the plant has grown to the height you are happy with you can begin pruning the top branches with a hand pruner or lopper. If you want a bushier and duller looking plant you should prune the off the side branches. Each branch you prune will produce several new branches that will fill out into a full, bushy display. 

How much humidity and heat does my Ficus Tineke need? 

The Ficus Tineke should be kept at an ideal temperature between 18 and 21 degrees celsius. They can survive slightly higher temperatures, but will decline quickly in colder temperatures. You should do your best to maintain a constant temperature in your room so avoid placing it near radiators or cold draughts. 

The Ficus is a tropical houseplant that is native to the more humid areas on the planet. It has adapted to thrive in high humidity environments so would make an ideal houseplant for the kitchen or bathroom. Low humidity can cause the leaves to shrivel up and drop off. If your plant is not in a naturally humid room you should mist the leaves regularly with water or place your plant on a pebble tray. 

What diseases or pests affect Ficus Tineke ?

Root rot - root rot is caused when the soil is too wet for a long period of time. The first sign of root rot in your Ficus is that it drops its leaves without any warning. This may be caused by other reasons, so if you suspect root rot you can check by gently listing the plant from the soil to check the roots. Healthy roots are white and stiff, but infected roots will be black, discolored and smell rotten. To fix this issue you will need to prune away any affected roots and repot the plant into new soil. If you catch the problem in time it is easy to fix, but may cause some stress to your plant. 

Fungal disease - The Ficus is prone to fungal infections and diseases when being pruned. You will first notice this as white, sometimes hairy, spots on the stems. To solve this issue you should immediately remove any part of the plant that has been affected with sterilized shears. If the disease continues to spread you may have to spray your plant with a houseplant friendly fungicide.   

White fly - Whiteflies are sap-drinking flies that infest the leaves of plants. They are easily identified as they will climb over and lay their eggs on the leaves. If not dealt with, these plants can quickly slow down the growth of your plant and cause damage to the leaves. To remove a whitefly infestation, spray the plant with water or a houseplant friendly insecticide until they disappear. 

How often should I repot my Ficus Tineke ?

If given good growing conditions, the Ficus is a fast-growing houseplant that will outgrow its pot quicker than some other plants. On average you will need to repot your Ficus every two to three years when your pot grows too small for your plant. You can tell that your plant has outgrown its pot when its growth slows. Choose a pot that is one to two inches wider than your current one. 

Fill the bottom of the new pot with soil with a small mound in the middle. Remove the Ficus from the old pot and loosen the soil around the roots. Place the plant in the new pot with the roots down the side of the mound. Pack new soil around the roots and water the plant well. In the first few weeks after repotting, the plant may droop slightly as it gets used to its new environment.