Ficus Alii is a beautiful perennial ornamental fig and can be a terrific addition to your houseplant collection. This plant is known for its deep green and bushy foliage. The long, narrow, and willowy leaves give it a classy look. The glossy gaze on the greenery makes it more eye-catching. With its growth, the Ficus Alii may divulge a very thick trunk with pronounced beautiful variegation, giving it a palm-like appearance.
This striking plant is called Banana Leaf Fig due to its lean verdures. Other names of the plant are Ficus Maclellandii and Ficus Binnendiijkii. The plant makes a bold statement in any bright room. The Ficus Alii is originally from Malaysia and India.
The beautiful and lush Alii Ficus is a popular indoor plant known for purifying air. However ants can become a nuisance swarming the sweet sap and bringing other pests like aphids. Left unchecked, these invaders can damage your prized tree. Fortunately, there are effective methods to banish ants from your Alii Ficus for good.
Why Ants Are Attracted to the Alii Ficus
Ants have a symbiotic relationship with sap-sucking insects like aphids and scales. The ficus secretes sugary sap the ants love, while the insects produce honeydew, another sweet treat. In exchange, ants protect the insects from predators.
To control the ants, you must also address the underlying pest issue. Simply removing ants won’t provide lasting results if abundant food sources remain.
Safer, Natural Ways to Remove Ants
Before using harsh chemicals, try these gentler methods:
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Inspect and prune infested areas – Check for signs of aphids scales or other pests. Remove heavily infested branches and leaves. Dispose of infested trimmings immediately.
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Use horticultural oils – Neem, canola, and other oils smother insects and deter ants. Coat all leaf surfaces, as oils only kill pests on contact. Reapply weekly until ants disappear.
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Create barriers – Diatomaceous earth, cinnamon, coffee grounds, and talcum powder will irritate ants. Sprinkle a 3-inch perimeter around pot. Reapply after watering.
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Set out traps – Place sticky traps or ant baits near your ficus to divert ants. Replace as directed on packaging until ant traffic ceases.
Chemical Treatments for Stubborn Ants
For severe cases, specialized ant pesticides may be warranted:
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Try baits first – Baits combine ant killers with tempting food in tiny doses. Place near ant trails and nests, avoiding contact with your ficus.
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Use ant sprays cautiously – Sprays are faster acting but less targeted than baits. Never spray above the ficus, only around the base. Avoid contact with leaves and stems.
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Read all labels thoroughly – Only use insecticides approved for indoor use on ficus trees. Carefully follow all instructions to prevent plant damage or toxicity. Start with the lowest effective dose.
Stop Ants from Returning
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to recurring ant troubles:
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Stay vigilant – Check your ficus regularly for ants or other pests like whiteflies, mealybugs, and mites. Catch invasions early before they grow out of control.
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Water appropriately – Let the soil dry out between waterings. Ants and other pests thrive in damp conditions.
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Clean up prunings – Immediately remove and discard any infested trimmings to prevent spread.
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Control honeydew sources – Spot treat aphids, scales, and other sap-feeding bugs with insecticidal soap to eliminatethe honeydew ants crave.
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Use barriers – Maintain a perimeter of diatomaceous earth or other abrasive materials year-round to discourage ants.
Safely Eliminating Aphids
Aphids are sap-sucking insects that excrete honeydew, promoting ant infestations. Here’s how to get rid of these tiny pests:
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Monitor for signs like stippling damage or visible colonies on leaves and stems. Check leaf undersides carefully.
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Hose down the ficus with a strong stream of water to dislodge aphids. Repeat daily until populations decline.
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Apply insecticidal soap directly on aphids according to label directions. Coat all infested areas thoroughly for best results.
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Release ladybugs or green lacewings, natural aphid predators. They will happily feast on large aphid populations.
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Spray neem, horticultural, or canola oil to smother aphids. Be sure to coat all plant surfaces to ensure good coverage.
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Remove heavily infested leaves and stems. Prune back affected branches if infestation is widespread.
With diligence and patience, you can break the ant-aphid cycle and restore your Alii Ficus to pristine condition. Consistent monitoring and prompt treatment at the first sign of invaders is key to protecting your plant’s health and beauty.
Soil requirements for Ficus Alii
The Ficus Alii isn’t too picky about the potting mix; however, ensuring a well-draining, nutrient-rich, aerated soil will do wonders. The soil shall not get waterlogged, and the container shall have adequate drainage holes. This plant is happy in the potting soil that maintains a PH between 6.0 to 6.5.
Our optimally formulated soil mix is ideal for Ficus plants and will provide all the necessary soil features to boost your Ficus Alii health.
The Banana Fig needs regular feeding for its healthy growth; therefore, it is recommended to fertilize the plant once a month. Use our balanced all-purpose liquid fertilizer in the growing season, summer and spring. This plant doesn’t like being fertilized in the colder winter and fall months. Ficus Alii is sensitive to boron; consequently, avoid a fertilizer with chemical boron.
Light Requirements for Banana Leaf Fig
This Ficus plant prefers bright and indirect sunlight. Although it can do well in medium to low light, but the growth slows down, which you won’t like as a plant parent. Though the plant loves bright light, keep it away from direct sun, or it will burn its foliage. The best location for this fig is the east-facing window, where it can receive appropriate light for its growth. As the plant grows in the direction of the light, the weekly rotation will maintain its shape.
This hardy plant can thrive well in normal household conditions. However, it prefers above-average humidity levels between 60% to 80%. If an environment is too dry, try increasing the humidity by misting the plant regularly, or installing a humidifier will also work. If the plant isn’t provided with the required humidity, it can result in slow growth, brown leaf tips, and leaf loss.
Coming to the temperature, the plant is relatively tolerant to temperature fluctuations. The ideal temperature range for its growth is 60⁰ F to 80⁰ F, but the temperature shouldn’t drop below 45F. Never place the plant near a heater or AC; sudden and frequent variations in temperature can also affect the plant’s growth.
Periodic pruning and maintenance are required for the Ficus Alii plant as it can grow tall. Additionally, prune dead, damaged, and discolored leaves regularly to maintain the plant’s appearance and shape. The ideal time for trimming is the early spring season. Always use sharp and sterilized shears and scissors for the plant’s clipping.
Regular cleaning of leaves using a shine and cleaner spray prevents pest attacks and maintains the foliage radiant.
This Simple Garden Trick Will Keep Ants Off Fruit Trees
FAQ
How to get rid of ants in ficus plant?
How do you get rid of ants in a tree without killing the tree?
Do ficus trees attract ants?
How to keep ants away from a fig tree?
Plant a circle of ant-repelling plants around the fig tree – Odoriferous plants like geranium, chrysanthemum and garlic are known to repel ants. Make protective cordon around the tree with these plants. With early intervention and constant diligence, you can keep ants away from the fig tree without resorting to chemical sprays.
How do you get rid of honeydew ants in a fig tree?
Remove plants and trees that serve as hosts to honeydew insects and ants – Look for aphid infestation and ant colonies in your yard and destroy the host plants. Introduce mechanical barriers – Chalk powder or diatomaceous earth may be spread around the base of the fig tree to create a mechanical barrier.
Do Ficus alii plants droop?
Under watered Ficus Alii plants will cause brittle leaves while one that is getting too much water will start to droop. It is easy to care for in every other regard. It is a good idea to repot your larger plants every other year. This is also a great time to consider propagating your ficus.
Are Ficus alii easy to care for?
The Ficus Alii is very easy to care for, and they require much less care than their cousins. Although it is not a finicky plant, if the Ficus Alii doesn’t get enough water, it will start to shed its leaves. Being that this is not a plant you will find in nature if you are interested in adding one to your collection you will need to plan ahead.