Plant Encylopedia: Ficus

February 27, 2018 by Kasi Smith Leave a Comment

Plant Care Basics

Grow Zone Recommendation: Depending on the variety of ficus, they grow in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11.

Sunlight Needs: Ficus trees will not appreciate getting full sun all year. A yard that gets some sunlight but that also has other large trees for shade would be a good location for a ficus.

Watering Needs: Outdoors, Ficus trees are meant for humid climates and moderate watering. As indoor house plants, they tend to be drought tolerant.

Average Size: Ficus trees grown indoors, in containers, will grow from 1 to 20 feet tall and 1 to 10 feet wide. Grown outside in the right conditions, they’ll get much larger; from 50 to 60 feet tall with a spread up to 100 feet.

Foliage Color: Ficus foliage varies on the same tree to a light yellowish green to more of a deep emerald green.

Must Know Plant Care Tips: Ficus trees can be picky. Outdoors they need moist soil with good drainage. Soil amendments are important, with organic material like compost. For root growth, add superphosphate to help the tree get a strong start.

Plant Problem Solver: Growing ficus indoors is suitable for most of the year. If your climate is colder, think about planting your focus in a container that you can leave outside spring and summer, but bring indoors during the fall and winter. Ensure your soil is appropriate for good drainage, and that the container you choose has holes for excess water.

Pretty Pairings: Ficus is great outdoors anywhere with warm temperatures and high humidity. Other plants that do well in these tropical-like conditions are great pairings for ficus. Indoors as a house plant, choose an open location with good air circulation but not direct sunlight.

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