Hi everyone!

I "inherited" a ficus tree that I'm pretty sure is a weeping fig. The tree has been through some trauma - during the first three months of Covid it was totally neglected, and some of its branches died. I clipped them away and nursed the tree back to full health. However, I had to bring it with me when I was required to move suddenly, and there wasn't a great place to put it in my new apartment. Most of the tree has done fine, but branches in one corner started to die. I realized it was because there was no light in that corner, but it was too late for the branches.

I'm now moving overseas, and I have friends who are willing to adopt the ficus. If possible, I'd really like to leave them with some kind of system to deal with the "lopsidedness" of the tree. The fact that many ficuses are braided at the bottom made me wonder if it is somehow possible to gradually guide branches to the other side. I even thought about getting another plant and braiding it with that?! If these options are as infeasible as they feel when I type them, would anyone recommend pruning the full side to redistribute the balance a bit? To some extent, I'm guessing that moving the sparse side and even the center into the light will help the problem automatically because new leaves will grow. Any other ideas are more than welcome!

Thanks!
Ariana

Hi Ariana, welcome.

That's a tough one.

Some selective pruning wouldn't hurt to balance it out a bit, but it's not going to solve the lopsidedness with hacking it back, and it's still a great looking plant.

More light on the right side could result in more leaves but you have a lack of branches, not leaves.

I'd probably compromise with a bit of trimming to even out the branches a little (great for cuttings), giving the right some more light for the time being but eventually adding a small turn weekly to promote even growth. I do 1/4 - 1/3.

Hi & welcome! Yes, it looks like Ficus benjamina. You may already know and this plant just didn't get the attention, if you want symmetrical plants, rotate them often. It can be difficult to keep them even inside. A lot of my plants are uneven on purpose, just depends on someone's preference for a particular plant.

Braiding is fine, or spiraling, tying in a knot. There's no reason not to, but if the branches of the pictured plant are manipulated to be more upright, the top of the tree will be too tall to get enough light on most of the foliage.

This plant could be rejuvenated by trimming. I would go as low as the red lines.

Beware that when you cut into a Ficus, white latex sap will leak from the wounds. It can cause a rash if your skin is sensitive, and can stain the floor or fabrics.

Best luck with your move!

@worstcasescenariana what did you decide to do with your tree?