Indoor plants

Ficus care: Benjamina, Lyrata and Elastica

Guide to indoor ficus care: Ficus benjamina, lyrata (fiddle leaf fig) and elastica (rubber plant). Light, watering, pruning, common problems.

Updated on 2026-07-14 · 8 min read

Indoor ficus plants are among the most elegant you can keep at home. The three most widespread species — Ficus benjamina, Ficus lyrata (fiddle leaf fig) and Ficus elastica (rubber plant) — share much of their care needs, but with important differences worth knowing. They also tend to suffer when moved: if your ficus drops leaves right after a position change, you're not doing anything wrong — it's their typical reaction.

The three main species

Ficus benjamina: light canopy with small oval leaves, often variegated. The most widespread ficus but also the most delicate: drops leaves at the slightest environmental stress.

Ficus lyrata (fiddle leaf fig): large violin-shaped leaves, tree-like habit, extremely decorative. Trickier: sensitive to wrong watering, drafts and moves.

Ficus elastica (rubber plant): large leathery oval leaves, often reddish (Ruby, Tineke, Burgundy). The easiest and toughest of the three.

Light

All ficus want plenty of bright indirect light. The ideal spot is 1-2 metres from a south-facing window, or near an east/west window. In low light they drop leaves and go leggy. Avoid direct midday summer sun: it burns benjamin and lyrata leaves; elastica handles it better.

Watering

Water when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Generally every 7-10 days in spring-summer, 10-15 in autumn-winter. Water generously and let excess drain, then empty the saucer.

Ficus are sensitive to overwatering: root rot is their main killer. If in doubt, wait.

Humidity and temperature

Ideal temperature 18-24°C, never below 15°C. Ficus hate temperature swings and cold drafts: keep them away from often-opened windows, doors and AC.

50% air humidity: they appreciate leaf misting in winter with heating on. Periodically wipe lyrata and elastica leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and improve photosynthesis.

Substrate and repotting

Rich all-purpose substrate with perlite. Repot every 2-3 years in spring, in a pot 3-4 cm larger. Mature lyrata and elastica get very heavy: use terracotta or otherwise stable pots.

Fertilising

From March to September, feed every 4-6 weeks with a foliage plant fertiliser. Suspend in autumn-winter.

Pruning

In spring you can prune to contain growth and stimulate branching. Use clean scissors and cut above a node. Warning: all ficus release a sticky white latex when cut — protect floors and furniture with a cloth, and don't touch your eyes while working (irritant).

Common problems

  • Sudden leaf drop (benjamin): typical response to moving, position change, temperature swing or drafts. The plant regenerates in 4-6 weeks if conditions stay good.
  • Yellow leaves: overwatering. Reduce watering.
  • Brown patches on leaves: direct sun or very cold water. Move to indirect light and use room-temperature water.
  • Scale insects: very common on ficus, especially under leaves. See dedicated guide.
  • Spider mites in dry environments.
  • Leaves dropping for no apparent reason in winter: often overwatering in a period when the plant uses little water. Cut watering sharply.