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Best Fertilizer for Ficus Trees (Our Top 6 Picks of 2023)

Grow a thick, flourishing ficus hedge by applying the best fertilizer and caring for your ficus hedge the right way. We rounded up the most suitable fertilizers for indoor and outdoor ficus plants.

By
Sean Stratton | Updated April 23, 2023

You should fertilize ficus plants once a month during spring and summer, and reduce the frequency to once every two months during the fall and winter.

Ficus trees need water-soluble fertilizer with micronutrients and an NPK ratio of 3-1-3 or 3-1-2. Slow-release 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 fertilizers also work.

Our Top Ficus Fertilizer Picks

a ficus hedge

6 Best Fertilizers for Ficus Tree Reviews

These are the fertilizers that we consider a good choice for your indoor or outdoor ficus plants. Check each one out and pick the best one that fits your needs.

1. Aquatic Arts Ficus Tree Food | Improves Leaves and Branches

If your plants have severe issues with their leaves, roots, and stems, this ‘Aquatic Arts Fig Tree Fertilizer’ can help. It contains vital micronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. And the NPK ratio is 3-1-2, making it a good option for your hungry ficus trees.

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Nitrogen promotes new leaf growth. With proper application, your plants will absorb nitrogen to improve the color of the leaves. Phosphorus will help stimulate a better root system and protect it from diseases like root rot. The potassium will help achieve stronger stems and drive quick growth.

If you apply it properly, you won’t need to worry about burning your trees because the fertilizer formula is natural and safe to use.

Pros:

  • Easy to apply; less hassle while fertilizing.
  • Can be used to feed all types of Ficus plants.
  • 3-1-2 NPK ratio ensures vital nutrients for the plant.

Cons:

  • Overfertilizing might cause leaf burn.

Suggested Read: Top Picks of Crepe Myrtle Fertilizers

2. Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food – Healthy Roots, Stems, and Leaves

This exclusive plant food is an ideal choice for your starving fiddle leaf fig plants. This plant food has a 3-1-2 NPK ratio that ensures a great combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for fig plants lacking nutrients. Plus, its slow-release formula provides nutrients for a longer time compared to some quick-release fertilizers.

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This organic ficus plant food is a certified non-toxic fertilizer. It doesn’t contain harmful chemicals or urea. And there is no hassle of measuring or mixing anything; you can use it directly from the bottle.

This organic fertilizer is rich in micronutrients and is an excellent choice for Ficus Lyrata, but it can be used on other ficus and rubber plants.

Pros:

  • The formula is non-toxic and safe to use.
  • It is specially formulated for Ficus trees.
  • No mixing is required; can be used directly on the plant.

Cons:

  • Leaves may drop if improperly used.

Also Read: Fig Tree Fertilizer Production

3. The Grow Co Ficus Plant Food – Slow Release Fertilizer Pellets for Potted Figs

If you are looking for an ideal fertilizer for your potted figs, this ‘Grow Co Plant Food’ should be the first thing you should check out. This fertilizer formula is rich in vital micronutrients like magnesium and sulfur, which makes your ficus leaves healthy and glossy.

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The ‘Slow-Release Fertilizer Pellets’ is an intelligent alternative to liquid fertilizers. It will gradually feed your plants. It’s an excellent choice for Ficus Lyrata and other popular types like Ficus Benjamina, Ficus Religiosa, Ficus Audrey, Ficus Elastica, and more.

Pros:

  • Effective for different types of ficus plants.
  • Very easy to apply; hassle-free in fertilization.
  • The slow-release formula ensures better feeding.
  • Can be used as Ficus Benjamina fertilizer

Cons:

  • The small package might not be enough for your garden.

4. Perfect Plants Fertilizer for Indoor and Outdoor Use on All Ficus Varieties

If you are a busy person who can barely take care of the ficus plant at home or office, this ‘Perfect Plants Slow-Release Fertilizer’ is the right choice. These pellets slowly feed your plants over an extended period of time.

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‘Perfect Plants’ says that this slow-release fertilizer will release vital nutrients into the soil for over six months. So, unlike quick-release fertilizers, you don’t need to fertilize as often. It’s easy to apply, so it will save you time.

Plus, this fertilizer comes with a fantastic 16-5-11 NPK ratio, which ensures a good amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. So, it will help your plants achieve better root structure, vibrant leaves, and an overall healthy look.

Pros:

  • Very easy to spread over the intended areas.
  • Ensures nutrients for indoor ficus plants.
  • The slow-release formula ensures nutrients for a long time.

Cons:

  • Can cause leaf yellowing if not used correctly.

Next Read: Can You Control Ficus Tree Roots

5. Easy Peasy Plants Plant Food for Houseplant Fig Tree

Doesn’t it frustrate you when you want to fertilize your plants, but can’t figure out the instructions correctly? We understand how it feels! Not with ‘Easy Peasy Plants Plant Food’ because, as the name says, understanding the instructions and applying the fertilizer is ‘easy-peasy’!

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This is the perfect plant food for ficus trees. It has a 6-2-4 NPK ratio to give plants nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The essential nutrients will help ficus trees achieve better stems and leaves with vibrant colors.

The fertilizer is easy to mix with water and apply. It can be used on different ficus plants, including Ficus Religiosa, Ficus Audrey, Ficus Benjamina, and more.

Pros:

  • Easy to use with water, mixes well.
  • Suitable for different types of ficus plants.
  • Lasts long compared to ordinary products.

Cons:

  • Some users complained that leaves turned black after a few days of use.

6. Perfect Plants Ficus and Bonsai Fertilizer Pellets

When you are looking for the top fertilizer for ficus trees, don’t limit yourself to checking out fertilizers only for indoor and outdoor ficus plants. These bonsai fertilizer pellets are an excellent choice for a ficus plant that fits in the palm of your hand!

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These slow-release fertilizer pellets are designed to provide essential nutrients to your bonsai plants for a long time. So, you can focus on tending your tree limbs rather than worrying about frequent fertilization. The 18-6-8 NPK ratio ensures essential nutrients in a good amount. It comes in a re-sealable bag for easy storage.

Pros:

  • Works on many bonsai types.
  • Comes in a re-sealable bag for easy storage.
  • Fertilizer pellets feed your bonsai for a long time.

Cons:

  • Comparatively expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ficus trees don’t require much maintenance, but to ensure proper nutrients, you should give your ficus tree a balanced fertilizer. In the growing season, ficus trees require a substantial amount of fertilizer.

The fertilizer should have a balanced NPK ratio, so a fertilizer 8-8-8 NPK ratio would be an ideal option. However, the ratio may change depending on different conditions. Choosing an all-purpose fertilizer is recommended.

And you would want to pick a fertilizer that will provide nutrients to your ficus trees for a long time so that you don’t need to worry about fertilizing the trees quite often. That’s why you can choose a slow-release fertilizer.

According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, ficus trees need water-soluble fertilizer with micronutrients and an NPK ratio of 3-1-3 or 3-1-2.

Slow-release fertilizers with a 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 NPK ratio also work well. No matter which fertilizer you choose, be careful not to over-fertilize your ficus plants.

Ficus trees can grow in partial shade to full sun. However, you should try to ensure as much direct sunlight as possible. If some big trees in your yard are making it difficult for the ficus tree to enjoy the full sun, consider trimming their branches.

To care for a ficus tree, the second thing you need to ensure is proper watering. The next thing you need to take care of is proper fertilization. If your ficus tree lacks nutrients, its growth and appearance will be affected.

You need to take care of pests as well. Scales are a common pest in ficus. If you see yellow blotches on your ficus leaves, consider that your plant is affected by scales, and you need a remedy before it worsens.

If the infested area is small, a little rubbing alcohol and a few cotton balls are enough, but if the infested area is large, you need horticultural oil to treat the area.

You need to trim your tree regularly to keep it in good shape. Be careful while trimming, do not trim too deeply.

Several elements help your ficus trees grow. Test your soil to check for any deficiencies. If the soil lacks nutrients, make sure to use a good-quality fertilizer. It will help restore the nutrient level in the soil and push new growth on your plants.

Watering and a proper drainage system can significantly impact your plants. While regular watering helps plants thrive, overwatering can cause the ficus leaves to fall or slow overall growth. A proper drainage system will ensure that excess water doesn’t hamper the growth of your plants.

Final Thoughts

If you want a thick, lush green ficus tree, you must ensure proper fertilizer, watering, sunlight, etc. In this article, we picked six fertilizers that we think are best for ficus trees. Check each out and get the best one to ensure the proper nutrients for your hungry ficus plants.

Written by Sean Stratton
Sean Stratton

Hi, I'm Sean, the senior editor here at Fertilizer Pick. I grew up on a farm in North Carolina and have grown fruits, vegetables, and trees since childhood. While I no longer live on a farm today, I still enjoy spending time on my garden and sharing my knowledge with friends and fellow garden enthusiasts.