Teardrop Tree

Teardrop Trees thrive in bright, indirect light. Indoors, it prefers strong natural light without prolonged direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.

Best placement: Near an east-facing window or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window.
If the light is too low: The plant may drop leaves and develop sparse, leggy growth.
If the light is too strong: Direct UAE sunlight can turn the leaf edges brown or crisp.

Water every 1–2 weeks, allowing the top 3–5 cm of soil to dry out between waterings.

How to check: Insert your finger into the soil — if it feels dry at that depth, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.
Why this matters: Ficus roots dislike being constantly wet, which can lead to root rot, but also dislike prolonged drought, which can cause leaf drop
Watering tip: When watering your plant, evenly water the entire soil mixture until you see water draining from the bottom of the nursery pot. After allowing all the excess water to drain out, discard that water.

Repot every 2–3 years or when roots start emerging from the drainage holes. Whichever comes first.

Why not repot right away? Like all plants, Teardrop Trees need time to adapt to their new home after delivery. Repotting too soon can cause extra transplant stress.
Best time to repot: October to May, when the plant is actively growing.

Yes! Teardrop Trees benefit from regular fertilizing. If you live in the UAE, fertilize once a month from October to May, when your Teardrop Tree is actively growing.

During the peak summer months (June–September), growth will slow due to extreme heat, so reduce or pause fertilizing if your plant isn’t actively growing. Over-fertilizing can stress the plant and lead to leaf burn.

Yes, if there are no other options — Teardrop Trees can handle UAE tap water, but it may benefit from filtered or distilled water if you notice leaf tip browning.

Better options: Filtered water or distilled water, especially if you notice leaf tip browning.

To distill water, boil in a kettle at 100 degrees celsius and allow the water to cool down to room temperature overnight.

Yes — indoors it can reach 2–3 meters tall with proper care. It grows slowly but steadily and can be pruned to maintain shape and height.

No — Ficus sap contains compounds that can be irritating or toxic to pets if ingested, potentially causing drooling, vomiting, or skin irritation. Keep out of reach of pets.

Ficus Benjaminas are sensitive to environmental changes. Leaf drop can occur due to:
Moving the plant to a new location.
Sudden changes in temperature or light levels.
Overwatering or underwatering.
Drafts from AC vents or open windows.

The plant will usually recover once it adjusts to stable conditions.

Yes — Teardrop Trees appreciate moderate humidity. Teardrop Trees are native to tropical rainforests, where humidity is naturally high. Adequate humidity helps prevent browning leaf edges and promotes lush growth.

Tip: Mist the leaves once a day to boost humidity and wipe leaves regularly to remove dust, which can block light absorption.

Yes — as long as it’s kept away from cold air blowing directly as cold drafts can cause stress and leaf drop.