🌿 Why Your Ficus Retusa Leaves Are Turning Yellow
Yellowing leaves on your Chinese Banyan (Ficus retusa) bonsai are quite common, especially when kept indoors in India. Don’t worry — it’s usually a simple care adjustment! Here’s what might be happening and how to fix it. 🌱
1. Insufficient Light
- Ficus bonsai love bright, indirect sunlight.
- Indoors in India, rooms can be dim — especially in winter.
- When light is low, older leaves often turn yellow and drop off.
💡 Solution: Move your bonsai near a bright window or balcony where it gets 3–5 hours of filtered sunlight daily. Avoid harsh afternoon sun behind glass.
2. Overwatering or Poor Drainage
- Constantly moist or soggy soil can suffocate roots.
- This often leads to yellow leaves starting from the bottom of the plant.
💧 Solution:
• Water only when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
• Ensure your pot has proper drainage holes.
• If water stays pooled on the surface, gently loosen the soil.
3. Temperature or Draft Stress
- Ficus retusa prefers warm (20–30°C), stable environments.
- Avoid placing it near AC vents, fans, or cold windows at night.
4. Natural Leaf Shedding
- A few yellow leaves occasionally are normal as the plant replaces older foliage.
5. Fertilizer Deficiency
- If the bonsai hasn’t been fertilized in 4–6 weeks, mild nutrient deficiency can cause yellowing.
🌱 Solution: Feed with a balanced liquid bonsai fertilizer once every 2 weeks during the growing season (March–October).
🌞 Quick Fix Summary
- ✅ Move to a brighter spot (near a sunny window)
- ✅ Let the soil dry slightly before watering again
- ✅ Check for proper drainage
- ✅ Feed a mild bonsai fertilizer if not done recently
Within 2–3 weeks, you should see fresh green shoots emerging — that’s your Ficus telling you it’s happy again! 🌿
If you'd like, share a picture of your bonsai with us in a couple of weeks — our team would love to guide you further!
– Team Abana Homes 🌱
Where every bonsai finds a happy home