Why do ficus trees lose leaves in winter and summer?

The ficus isn't one of the most demanding houseplants, but it can still raise questions. For example, why does my ficus lose its leaves in winter and summer? Is this a natural occurrence, and what should I do if my lush tree starts to lose its leaves?

Why does a ficus tree shed its leaves?

All reasons can be divided into two classes:

1. Natural.
2. Associated with violation of agricultural technology.

The visual difference between the two is easy to spot: in the first case, the remaining leaves will be vibrant and green, while the fallen ones will be few in number. In the second case, the process will be noticeably more intense, and the overall appearance of the plant will be disturbing.

Natural causes

The loss of a few lower leaves on a young ficus shouldn't be alarming. This is a natural process of exposing the trunk. All ficus species are either trees or shrubs. The trunk becomes woody with age, and the foliage concentrates on the younger branches at the top. Ficus benjamina can reach a height of 2-3 meters indoors, and 25 meters in the wild. Depending on the type of cultivation, the exposed trunk can be anywhere from 10 to 50 cm.

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Unfavorable conditions

Sometimes care can be correct, but it does not compensate for unfavorable conditions for the plant. Why does the ficus fall off and the leaves are turning yellow, if everything is ok with care:

1. DraftMost houseplants require stable conditions or are native to warm areas, so they don't tolerate cold air currents well. Ficus is native to the tropics, while some species grow in temperate climates. In an apartment, the plant's pot should be positioned so that the room can be ventilated without damaging the tree.
2. Inappropriate temperature, either humidity, or insufficient lighting. This is one of the main reasons why ficus plants lose their leaves in winter. What should you do if you can't change the room temperature? A plant's perception of temperature is highly dependent on many other factors. If the room is hot, it's advisable to mist the ficus as often as possible and provide high-quality (possibly artificial) lighting. Plants respond to a balance of factors—they can be harmonized. It's important to observe the plant. Elongated stems, weak foliage, dull color, and poor growth indicate insufficient sunlight; drying and falling leaves indicate insufficient moisture.
3. Change of conditions or placeSome plants are particularly sensitive to movement; even a simple turn of the pot can prevent a plant from blooming. Ficus is not one of these plants. However, it may react to a change in location by dropping its leaves. Give the plant time to adapt—5-7 days. If leaf drop is excessive and continues, there is another cause.
4. Cold or overheated soilIt's rarely considered, but a pot that overheats in the sun or, conversely, sits on an excessively cold floor greatly impacts both the health of the roots and their absorption of moisture and nutrients. Protect the pot from the bright sun with a planter or screen. Place a stand under a container sitting on a cold floor.

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If the leaf is dry and brittle, and the petiole is not soft, the plant is not getting enough moisture (or the room is too hot and the soil or air is drying out too quickly). It's a completely different story when the ficus leaves first turn yellow and only then fall off.

The leaf blades become like rags, the petioles are soft - in this case, the soil may become acidic due to overwatering or its increased density, a draft, or disease.

Lack of watering and nutrition

Insufficient watering or a lack of nutrients is a common cause of ficus leaf drop, especially in the summer and spring, during periods of intense growth. The leaves dry out and then fall off because the plant can't keep up with their nutritional needs. Ficus aren't particularly picky about watering and can tolerate one or two untimely waterings, but they won't appreciate regular neglect. What should you do if your plant starts losing leaves in the summer?

You shouldn't overwater a ficus either. There are four important points to maintaining a proper humidity regime for a ficus:

1. Water only as needed. Water when the soil in the pot doesn't stick to your hand, but doesn't crumble into dust when you pick up a small lump between your fingers. The soil has become dry, but not parched – it's time to water.
2. Watering must be thorough. A common mistake is under-watering. This results in a layer of damp soil on top, leaving the roots dry underneath. The amount of water should be sufficient to completely saturate the root ball. It's better to water less frequently, but more thoroughly. This is also important in winter.
3. High-quality water. Plain tap water salinizes the soil, leaving a white coating on it. This significantly impairs plant nutrition. It's best to use filtered, frozen, or melted water.
4. Soil. The mechanical properties of the soil are very important. How well does the soil retain moisture? If the plant is planted in dense soil, less frequent watering is needed. Almost all commercial soils are highly permeable to moisture and air, meaning plants planted in them will require more frequent watering.

Soil acidity disturbance

Ficus plants require neutral soil, with a pH of 6.0-7. Most commercial soils have pH levels around this level—check the packaging. However, soil pH can change over time; for example, if the water used for irrigation was highly alkaline. You can test the pH using litmus paper, which is available at any gardening supply store.

Diseases and pests

Ficus diseases and pests are varied, but almost all of them affect weakened plants that are forced to grow in unfavorable conditions or do not receive proper care. Leaf drop can be caused by:

1. Gray rot.
2. Sooty mold.
3. Powdery mildew.
4. Cercospora leaf spot.
5. Anthracnose.
6. Root rot.

Most of these problems are easily identifiable. The leaves don't simply turn yellow or dry out, but take on an unhealthy, unsightly appearance: a gray or black coating, brown spots, or specks.

Pests of ficus: thrips, mealybugs, nematodes, scale insects, aphids, spider mites.

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Leaf fall after transplantation – how to deal with it

Why are my ficus losing leaves after repotting? This isn't surprising—the plant has been stressed. Mature ficuses often lose their leaves after repotting. To ease the difficult period of adjusting to new conditions:

1. Carry out pruning, especially if a lot of roots (damaged, rotten, dried out) were removed during transplantation.
2. Immediately provide the plant with the conditions it needs. Temperature 15-22°C, sufficient misting, a well-lit, draft-free location. Do not disturb or move it.
3. Don't overdo it with care. After repotting, there's no need to fertilize or overwater.
4. Add a few drops of Epin to the water for spraying.

For an overview of the causes of ficus leaf loss, see the video in the article above.

Paying close attention to your green plant will help you respond to leaf loss and keep it lush and healthy. Ficus trees generally respond well to all resuscitation measures and recover quickly.