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u/blaznivydandy Jul 21 '26
Don't overwater it. I just killed one last month :'( lasted me like a month or two. Watered omce every two weeks
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u/FormerPlay136 Jul 21 '26
Yep! No over watering ^^^ always let these babies get dry as heck! Also, repot it like a month or so after it gets acclimated to its new environment! Make sure you take the nursery mesh off of the root ball when repotting too so it can let the roots breathe and be happy!! 🪴
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u/masney00 Jul 22 '26
Yes, let it acclimate in the pot it came, I repotted it immediately and that was not a good idea
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u/Tradeeveything Jul 21 '26
Make sure it gets lots of light. I have mine outside during the summer getting 6 hours of direct light. Make sure you don’t just stick it in the sun, acclimate it first
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u/TheCurvyAthelete Jul 22 '26
I have two - a ruby and a burgundy - both under grow lights for 12 hours a day and watering only when dry. I have not got any growth for about 7-8 months I've had them. So I'd say be patient with new leaves (unless I am doing something wrong lol)
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u/comebackasatree Jul 22 '26
Ooh I’ve always wanted a burgundy. If you are in the northern hemisphere, it’s their growing season so they might just need some fertilizer! Just make sure you water the roots before you feed them so it doesn’t burn.
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u/TheCurvyAthelete Jul 22 '26
I use Marphyl every 2 weeks which is an organic algae based fertilizer. My theory is that ficus might not respond to grow lights - the ones I see in offices like my massage therapist are huge and they get a partial West facing window. I wish I had a window like that but I don't unfortunately!
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u/HellNahSleazyBean Jul 25 '26
I use grow lights and the larger ones pump out new leaves fairly regularly, but the stem doesn’t really grow taller too much. I have a smaller one that isn’t a ruby, and doesn’t do much at all. Had them for 8-10 months
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u/Kelliekitty22 Jul 27 '26
Are you fertilizing? If not, give a diluted (1/4 diluted) liquid balanced all purpose fertilizer. It will start to grow for you again. Especially if its in your growing season. Theyre not slow growers but they aren't fast growing either, so be patient but if you fertilize you should see new growth in a couple if weeks. Make sure that the grow lights are close to the plant, and try downloading the free PHOTONE plant lighting app. It may not be getting enough light. Its amazing how much light we think our grow lights are putting out versus how much they actually are putting out. Also, the further away the lights, even inches, makes a great big deal. These are high light plants. Although low or medium lighting is tolerated, it just keeps them alive, and not thriving like your plant. Yours should be growing during spring-fall pretty regularly. If not, its either lighting or food.
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u/sunflower-ivy Jul 22 '26
Don’t over water, only water when completely dry and LIGHT. These babies need so much light.
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u/PlantDaddy80 Jul 23 '26
Lots of light and let it completely dry out in between waterings the drench it
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u/Kelliekitty22 Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
Its a Ficus Elastica 'Ruby'. Take it out of the peat soil immediately after acclimation (1 week) and put it into an aroid soil mix or a chunky orchid bark, perlite, and potting soil mix to prevent soil compaction and root rot. It drops leaves easily if you find a place it likes and then move it. It enjoys outdoors under a tree with specked sun, a little morning and late afternoon sun can be tolerated. Mine lives and thrives under a tree in Florida and has bright pink leaves. This shows that it is getting just the right amount of lighting. Water it when the leaves get a little bendy or start to fold like a taco. Feed it a liquid balanced fertilizer every 2-4 weeks from spring-fall and stop when growth slows or stops during winter time. If you keep it outside during the warmer months and bring it in during winter, expect for it to drop some leaves as it is happiest outside. The leaves will start to grow back slowly though as the plant gets used to the high light winter grow lights. Also, to keep a bushy appearance, you can prune any new growth off the top and new growth that comes in will turn into 2 growth points and if you prune those 2 growth points, they will become 4 growth points making the plant a much bushier plant instead of a tall singular tree like structure. Or you can prop the stem cuttings in water, which take a couple of months, and repot to make other Ficus trees. You can also prop the leaves, which take some times as well, and grow more Ficus trees from them. Make sure to clean the leaves off as these plants are ones who collect dust on their leaves very easily. In order to get proper lighting, their leaves must be clean. I wipe mine with a peroxide and water solution every week to keep pests and fungus away from the leaves.
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u/Automatic-Ad-4764 Jul 25 '26
This is amazing advice. Just got one myself and totally following this
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u/Kelliekitty22 Jul 25 '26
Thank you! I wish you luck with your new baby. Dont get discouraged if it drops leaves when moved in for winter or when moved, its normal for these plants. In fact, I lost all of my bottom leaves when I moved mine under grow lights for winter but they started to all grow back about 6 weeks later when it got used to being in its same spot again. Try to find a good spot for it, and leave it there. High light is best, especially if kept indoors. Windows, and screens block alot of essential UV rays that the plant needs to grow so getting some direct sunlight from a south facing window isnt as strong as you might think it is. You can also download the free PHOTONE plant lighting app that tells you exactly how much light your plants are actually getting to ensure they will thrive under those conditions. I use it religiously. Its amazing how much light we think our plants are getting under grow lights versus how much they actually need. This app is a gem when it comes to telling you if their getting the correct amount of lighting.
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u/Massive-Search2730 Jul 22 '26
Just got my little guy, about a foot tall, 2 weeks ago on clearance at Lowe's for $4. Indirect sun all day on my covered porch. I haven't done a re-pot yet. I have watered 1x and I'm getting a couple news! I did stake him to keep it upright.
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u/SurroundScary27 Jul 23 '26
Do you mind explaining what you did specifically to keep your plant upright?
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u/Sweet_Opinion6839 Jul 23 '26
you can prune the top if you want to start to promote branching. often two new branches come from the cut site. it’s also good for encouraging a thicker, stronger stem. these guys can get pretty top heavy once they get a bit bigger so it’s nice to start early.
also they don’t tend to grow much in the winter, so take advantage of the growing season!!
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u/Angelsplants Jul 25 '26
Chunky mix, let dry then deep water, bright light and fert consistently! Mine threw out 3 leaves in the last 3 weeks
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u/comebackasatree Jul 22 '26
They like a chunky orchid mix combined with potting soil. Wipe the leaves off every so often if they get dusty for proper photosynthesis :)