Ficus White Leaf-Base Dots: Scale or Natural? Alaska Indoor Care

Case

Alaska: New ficus (weeping fig) houseplant. Months healthy, new growth. Now: few leaves dropped, small waxy white dots at base of ~60% leaves. Indirect sun, potted.

Two Possibilities

Expert Care Plan (Kathy)

1. Survive until spring — ficus drops leaves at any change.
2. Move outdoors in spring — thrives in humidity, recovers.
3. Prune 1/3+ when moving out — forces fullness.
4. Repot if rootbound — slightly larger container.
5. Fertilize growing season — balanced.
6. If scale: Atomic Grow (organic spray).

Annual Cycle Reality

Ficus = "finicky." Leaf drop each fall indoors is normal. Outdoor summer = reset button. Accept the cycle.