Description
One of the most popular houseplants due to its elegant growth and tolerance of moderate growing conditions, the ficus benjamina has been a firm favourite for centuries. Boasting thick, waxy, oval-shaped leaves, the plant serves as a beautiful and classic addition to any room.
Our Deluxe option includes 10 Baci chocolates adding the perfect amount of sweetness to this already delightful gift.
Product Details
Dimensions: our ficus benjamina is available in two sizes:
Medium – 110cm
Large – 150cm
Dimensions are approximate and include the pot.
Ficus Benjamina: Plant Guide
Difficulty level: this is an easygoing plant that can be effortlessly grown indoors with some care.
Light: although it tolerates considerable shade, the ficus does best in bright, sunny conditions though try to avoid direct sunlight. In fact, the leaves tend to be highly sensitive to small changes in light, so much so that if it is turned around or placed in a different spot, the plant may drop its leaves. These will eventually be replaced with new ones.
Air purifier: excellent at cleaning and filtering the air from harmful substances, the ficus benjamina can effectively remove air toxins amongst which include xylene and formaldehyde.
Pet and child-friendly: the plant’s sap can be poisonous to pets, so ensure that it is placed in a spot where your kids and domestic animals cannot get to, however, there is no harm in handling the plant itself. On the other hand, ingestion of various plant parts may lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Ideal for: housewarming, promotions, any other occasion.
Ficus Benjamina: Plant Background
Origin: a species of flowering plant associated with the mulberry family Moraceae, the ficus benjamina can be found along the entire tropical belt in India, China, Malaysia and Australia, but it is also grown in Florida and Arizona in the United States. In its natural habitat, it can grow to become an impressive tree reaching 30m with gracefully drooping branches and glossy, oval leaves. For this reason, it is often cultivated and selected to adorn parks and urban streets. Producing a small fruit, this is favoured by numerous birds, while it is edible for humans although the tree is not cultivated for this purpose.
Also known as: benjamin tree, tropical laurel, ficus tree, weeping fig.
Symbolism: abounding in symbolism, the weeping fig is considered holy in East Asia due to the fact that the Buddha gained enlightenment under such a tree, whereas in the Middle East it is regarded as a plant of peace and abundance. What’s more, the seeds found within the fruit are known to represent unity, understanding and knowledge.
Fun facts: the ficus benjamina has been growing for centuries as attested by fossil remains found dating back to 30 million years. The official tree of Bangkok, the largest ficus is found in India with a crown diameter of around 131m and more than 1775 aerial roots.
Ficus Benjamina: Plant Care
Watering: the plant requires a moderate amount of watering during the summer and just enough during winter time to avoid the soil from drying up completely. In effect, the soil should always be slightly damp, yet any excess should be drained from the bottom of the pot.
Food: keep your ficus green and lush by giving it some plant food every month during the growing season between spring and autumn.
Pruning: when grown indoors the ficus tree will not reach a grandiose height, however, it can still grow overly large for your space. Avoid this issue from occurring by pruning it once new growth stops. This usually takes place in the late summer and early autumn. To prune your plant locate a node where either a twig or a leaf joins the stem or branch. Next cut a downward slant before a node, cutting close to it but not into it. Leave at least one node for new growth on that stem or branch.
Ideal temperature: maintain a constant temperature above 23 degrees Celsius and make sure this does not drop below 12 degrees.
Avoid: cold temperatures since the plant tends to be highly sensitive, while you must protect it from any cold and strong draughts. Also, limit moving your ficus frequently.
Pests: your ficus tree can be susceptible to a number of pests ranging from the whitefly and mealybug to spider mites and scales. Once you have noticed one or more of these pests you must act immediately or you risk having your ficus decimated. You can wipe mealybugs and scales with rubbing alcohol, while you can spray insecticidal soap for spider mites. Also, treat the plant several times in order to kill any lingering bugs and larvae.
SHIPPING DETAILS
We offer same day delivery all over Malta and Gozo, from Monday to Sunday.
Important Information
Whilst doing our utmost in supplying an identical product to the image provided, sometimes items may be substituted if not in season or unavailable. Our dedicated staff will make sure that the substitution is equivalent to value and quality. Where our designs include a sundry item such as a vase, basket or pot it may not always be possible to deliver the exact item as displayed.
Photography location: The Cumberland Boutique Hotel, Valletta, Malta.
