What Time of Year Is the Best Time to Fertilize Outdoor Ficus Bushes?

Common Fig

• While the ficus that produces the familiar, luscious fruit can grow into a tree, many homeowners keep the plant pruned and trained into a smaller, shrubby form. This type of ficus prefers compost and well-rotted manure to chemical fertilizers. Spread the material around the the plant in spring, as new growth begins. In late spring and early summer, apply up to three cups of balanced fertilizer with micronutrients to help the plants produce better fruit.

Nutrient Deficiencies

• Generally used for their ornamental value rather than fruit, ficus shrubs like dwarf Ficus elastica and F. microcarpus often need fertilizers with added micronutrients. If the ficus leaves appear chlorotic (faded) or turn a bronze color, the plant may lack iron or manganese. Apply a balanced fertilizer that includes these important nutrients when a nutrient deficiency affects the plant's growth or appearance. Follow package directions carefully.

Regular Fertilizing

• Ficus generally grow actively between early spring and late summer outdoors in their growing zones. Apply fertilizer in early spring to help the plant produce new growth. Apply a second and third round of fertilizer at regular intervals during the growing season, but schedule the last feeding so that it does not fall too close to the end of the growing season. Feeding the plant too late in the season may encourage new growth that can fall victim to impending winter cold.

Fertilizer Types

• Spread granular fertilizers around the base of the shrub, but make sure it does not touch the main stem. Water the plant well so the fertilizer sinks in to the roots, and be sure to wash fertilizer off the foliage so it doesn't burn. Slow release fertilizers, as the name implies, release nutrients over a period of time, allowing the plant to access nutrients longer. Water soluble fertilizers must be mixed with water or come ready-mixed in a sprayer that attaches to the garden hose. Plants absorb these nutrients immediately. You can use a fertilizer labeled "all purpose" or "general use" for ficus, or purchase specific formulations such as 8-8-8. Make sure the fertilizer contains micronutrients. Once plants are well established, you can cut back to one feeding per year in the spring, or spread feedings out to once a month during the growing season. Use a fertilizer that provides four pounds of actual nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet of garden bed.