I have a benjamin ficus that I bought at an end of the year sale. I brought it home and found that it had aphids a colony of ants in the pot and something else wrong I forget. I quickly started babying the little guy (lol little it stands bout 5' tall). I treated the fellar and gave him a haircut and repotted him watered and brought him in. Well I cut the main top branches, and of course some side ones, well if you cut the top then it will bush outwards. Where I have stopped the growth at the top those branches have not sprouted out new ones. I dont know if that made sense, in other words the main branches I cut at the top stopped growing at that point. I have noticed that on the main branches new growth has shot out every which away below where I topped it. I cant say I regret it cause I didnt really need a house plant any taller than 5 feet. I would be scared to advise you to top it at such a small height. Its been approximately 3 years since and it hasnt gotten much taller since the haircut. It sure has gotten wider though.

Your tree is in steep decline because it's being asked to tolerate cultural conditions at or beyond what it's genetically programmed to tolerate. I'm guessing it's probably been potted up to a larger size pot several times, but never truly been repotted, which includes root pruning and a complete change of soil. If that's the case, root congestion would undoubtedly be severely limiting, as the limitations associated with it begin at about the time the root/soil mass can be lifted from the pot intact. It's possible that, by this time, there is calcified soil in the center of the root mass that might be so hardened a chisel would be required to remove it - no way to tell until you get a look at the roots. Other potential issues that would be much closer to expected than suspected, would be a soil with a badly skewed ratio of nutrients in it, and a high level of dissolved solids (salts) in the soil/soil solution. The badly compacted center of the root/soil mass is probably limiting the ability of both plant and soil to absorb water, and limiting the root system's oxygen supply, which is a key factor in making available the energy that drives root function. There's little doubt that it can be saved, but it'll be a chore, and something I'd probably start planning to do in June ..... if you live in the northern hemisphere. Lots more to talk about, but I'll wait to hear what you have to say. Al

If the plant is sparse, it's probably not healthy. It's not the plant's nature to be robust and display sparse foliage at the same time. Maximize branch ramification by pruning all branches with 4 or more leaves back to 2 leaves. Get the plant into full sun. Make sure your soil drains freely so you can water profusely every time you water and feed weekly at 1/2 strength through Sep. I would suggest any fertilizer with a 3:1:2 ratio, like 24-8-16, 12-4-8, or 9-3-6. I can tell you now though, that unless you keep branch length under control and the canopy open so light can penetrate, you'll have lots of trouble maintaining much in the way of interior growth. Al

Mluzan, did you ever hear of Leaf Miners? This guess is probably a long shot, but check it out..I hope anyway.. Is the plant out or indoors? Though soil shouldn't stay constantly moist, when you do water, water entire rootball. Ficus thrive in direct sun, but need to be taken out gradually.. One other this is fertilizer..Have you fed it lately? You're not overfeeding??? Toni