Common Ficus Tree Problems

Ficus trees are popular in office buildings and homes but often see their share of problems due to changes in temperatures or bugs that affect the plant in different ways. Most problems can be taken care of with pesticides or proper care but some problems if they aren’t treated, can potentially kill your ficus. 

• Leaf drop - One of the most common problems with a ficus tree is leaf drop. Changes in temperature such as moving a ficus from indoors to outdoors will cause leaf drop. A change in humidity no matter how little can cause leaf drop and occurs frequently in the fall months as the temperatures begin change. A ficus tree will recover from drop leaf in an environment with a stable temperature and regular care with water and fertilization.


• Leaf spot fungus - Leaf spot fungus causes small black dots on the back of a ficus tree’s leaves.  The infected leaves sometimes turn yellow, die and fall off. The infected leaves should be removed and certain measures should be taken to prevent the fungus from spreading to the other leaves on the tree. Pesticides are available and should be followed exactly to take care of the problem.


• Anthracnose - Anthracnose affects both the leaves and stems on a ficus tree and causes orange or rust colored spots. Some of the infected areas may have a sap that oozes out of the tree’s stems. Pesticides can also be used to rid a ficus tree of this problem and directions should be followed carefully so the plant is not permanently damaged.


• Bugs - Bugs can be a big problem for ficus trees which can cause a sap to ooze from the tree. Meal bugs gather in clusters on the trees stems or branches and look like small, cotton-like clusters. A soapy solution may help rid the tree’s bug infestation. If a tree is infected and isn’t treated, a ficus tree can die because the bugs will remove the important nutrients a tree needs to survive.