Ficus Alii Braid Care Instructions
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There is a chance your plant may show signs of stress after shipping. This is completely normal. Unbox it promptly and place it in bright, indirect light. Avoid moving it repeatedly while it adjusts. Your Ficus Alii Braid should begin to settle in within 7–10 days, although it may take a few weeks to fully adjust to its new home. A small amount of leaf drop during this period can be normal.
Quick Care Summary
Give Ficus Alii Braid bright, indirect light. Let the top 2–3 inches of soil dry before watering thoroughly, then allow excess water to drain. Average household humidity is usually sufficient. Keep it above 60°F and away from drafts and vents.
How to Find the Right Spot for Your Plant
A simple way to determine a good spot for your plant is to turn off all the lights in the room and place your plant where you'd like to keep it.
If the area receives plenty of natural light, it's likely a good spot. If the area is dark or receives very little natural light, you'll want to find a brighter location.
Light
Ficus Alii Braid grows best in bright, indirect light. Its long, narrow leaves and braided trunk look their best with steady light and a stable position. It can tolerate some gentle morning sun, but acclimate gradually and protect it from sudden, intense afternoon sun. Not all windows provide the same amount of sunlight. Here is a guide from most to least sunlight.
1. South-Facing Windows — Most Sunlight
South-facing windows typically receive the most light throughout the day. If the window is unobstructed, direct sun may be too strong, especially after shipping. Set the plant just outside the direct sun’s path or soften the light with a sheer curtain. If trees, a porch, or nearby buildings filter the light, the plant may do well closer to the glass.
2. West-Facing Windows — Strong Afternoon Sun
West-facing windows receive strong afternoon and evening sun. Keep Ficus Alii Braid slightly back from the glass or use a sheer curtain if leaves receive harsh direct rays. A shaded west window may provide suitable bright, indirect light right at the window.
3. East-Facing Windows — Gentle Morning Sun
East-facing windows offer gentler morning sun and are often an excellent choice. Place the tree near the window so light reaches the full canopy. If the window is shaded by buildings or trees, watch for thinning growth and move it brighter if needed.
4. North-Facing Windows — Least Sunlight
North-facing windows usually provide softer light. A large, unobstructed north window may work, but growth can slow and the canopy may thin in a dim spot, particularly in winter. Add a grow light if this is your only window.
Remember
Window direction is only part of the equation! Trees, porches, buildings, curtains, and the time of year all affect how much light reaches your plant. Match the plant to the actual brightness at its location, and avoid moving it repeatedly while it adjusts.
Grow Lights
If your home does not get enough natural light, a grow light can make a big difference for your Ficus Alii Braid. LED grow lights are easy to use: affordable options come in stylish designs that fit your home, and one can cost about $5 a month to run, depending on its wattage, hours of use, and your electricity rate. Choose a grow light rather than relying on a regular room lamp. Grow lights are designed to deliver enough plant-usable light to support healthy growth. Position it according to the manufacturer’s directions, and use a timer for about 12 hours a day for best results. Eight to ten hours may be enough if the light is strong or your plant also gets some natural light.
Water
Let the top 2–3 inches of soil dry before watering. Check several places with a finger, wooden skewer, or moisture meter because the surface can dry while soil below stays damp. When the upper layer is dry, water evenly until excess runs from the drainage holes, then empty the saucer or outer pot. Avoid leaving the roots in standing water.
Do not follow a fixed calendar. Light, season, temperature, pot size, and soil all affect drying time. A newly delivered tree may use water differently while adjusting, so check the soil each time. Consistently soggy soil can lead to root problems; prolonged severe dryness can cause leaf drop.
Soil
Use a well-draining houseplant mix that still holds some moisture. FoxFarm Happy Frog can work when mixed with orchid bark and perlite for airflow. Always use a pot with drainage holes. A dense mix or a decorative pot that traps runoff can keep the roots wet too long.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is optional. Your plant can remain healthy with proper light and watering, but fertilizer may encourage faster growth.
If desired, use Jack’s Classic Houseplant Special approximately once a month during spring and summer while the plant is actively growing. Wait until the plant has adjusted to its new home for at least two weeks, and introduce fertilizer gradually:
- First application: Half the recommended amount
- Second application: Three-quarters of the recommended amount
- Third application and beyond: Full recommended amount
Avoid fertilizing during fall and winter, or when the plant is stressed or not actively growing. Never use more than the package recommends.
Repotting
Let the plant settle into its new home before repotting. Repot when roots circle the inside of the grow pot or emerge heavily from drainage holes, ideally during active spring or summer growth. Choose a sturdy pot with drainage only 1–2 inches wider than the root ball. Keep the braided trunk at the same soil depth and support the tree while working so the root ball is not pulled apart.
Until repotting is needed, you can place the plastic grow pot inside a decorative pot. Remove it for watering, allow it to drain completely, and then return it to the outer pot.
Humidity & Temperature
Average household humidity is usually sufficient. Keep Ficus Alii Braid above 60°F and away from cold drafts, air-conditioning vents, and heating vents. Sudden changes in temperature or location may cause some leaf drop. If you move it outdoors during warm weather, introduce brighter light gradually and bring it inside before cool nights.
Pests
Inspect new growth, leaf undersides, and the braided trunk regularly for mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Sticky residue, fine webbing, or speckled leaves can be early signs. Isolate an affected plant, remove visible pests carefully, and use a treatment labeled for houseplants and the pest you find. Contact us if you need help identifying it.
Pet Safety
Ficus Alii Braid is not pet safe if chewed or swallowed. Its milky sap may irritate the mouth, stomach, eyes, or skin. Keep the tree out of reach of pets and children. Wash your hands after contact with sap, and contact a veterinarian if a pet eats part of the plant.
Accessories
The following instructions apply if your order included a plant stand or water meter.
Plant Stand
Assemble the stand by connecting its two pieces at their center points. Set it on a stable, level surface and open it as wide as possible. Carefully center the pot while holding the tall tree securely, then move the stand’s ends inward until they fit snugly around the pot. Keep the stand away from busy walkways.
Water Meter
Insert the probe gently into several areas of the pot without forcing it through roots. Use it to check whether the upper 2–3 inches have dried, as described in the Water section; a single surface reading is not enough. Wipe the probe clean after use and do not leave it in the soil permanently.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns about your plant, please reach out to support@joeyshouseplants.com. Thank you for supporting Joey’s Houseplants. Enjoy your new Ficus Alii Braid!
