Affected portions can be pruned back to healthy wood using a clean, sharp, pruning tool. Weeping fig is extremely sensitive to changes or extremes in light levels, soluble salts, temperature, and pH. Extensive yellowing and leaf drop can occur in response to even subtle changes in these factors. Although the extent of leaf drop can be disconcerting, in most cases plants recover after a period of adjustment. Stress associated with leaf drop can be minimized by following a sound program for cultural care. Insect Problems Scale.
Scale insects are a particular problem with weeping figs.
Some scales that attack houseplants are the fern scale, brown or black hemispherical, and soft scales. Ornamental figs are often grown in warm climates and sold in the north with scale infestations. Scales are categorized as being either armored or soft. The armored scales are covered by a hard shell that is made up of their shed skins. It is not attached to the body, so the scale cover can be flipped over to observe the insect feeding underneath.