I have a 6' ficus that was recently given to me as a gift. Upon further inspection, I found that it has a dry black mold over most of the leaves and parts of the branches. I need to find out if, in the long run, this will be damaging to the plant. The mold is easily removed by taking a damp cloth to it, but I don't know the plant's health as a result of the mold. It appears to be fairly healthy plant regardless and it is producing new growth.

I am grateful for any advice. Thank you!

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Originally Posted by sarah9876

I have a 6' ficus that was recently given to me as a gift. Upon further inspection, I found that it has a dry black mold over most of the leaves and parts of the branches. I need to find out if, in the long run, this will be damaging to the plant. The mold is easily removed by taking a damp cloth to it, but I don't know the plant's health as a result of the mold. It appears to be fairly healthy plant regardless and it is producing new growth.

I am grateful for any advice. Thank you!

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I am not a horticulturist but am pretty well rounded in plant knowledge. I would go to a hardware store and bring a leaf or two and ask one of the garden folks. You could also take a more direct approach and buy some plant soap. You simply spray it on the leaves of the plant and it should kill the critters that is claims to kill. It is easy to apply and not really expensive.

Ficus trees are becoming a problem here in Florida. People plant them in their yards near pools and all when they are little 6' pups. Then in 5 years they have a giant on their hands that like water. In south Florida they have been known to punch through pools and constrict/rupture pipes looking for a water source that is easy.

If you have ever been to Cypress Gardens (I think), they have a ficus type tree that was planted in the 1920's or so. It is so huge an Indian tribe used it as a home for a while before the settlers came and got rid of the Indians. To this day it is still there. It is a mammoth tree. James