Ficus Religiosa - Indoors

[young grasshopper]

Hello All,

I'm growing a Ficus Religiosa on my night stand and I could use some advice. It doesn't grow much. I repotted it this spring and it showed some healthy growth for a bit before pausing and remaining stagnant since - similar to last summer. It appears to be root bound already - roots are starting to come out the bottom. My understanding is that this will impede its growth, therefore I should repot it.

I would love for some guidance on how to care for the tree moving forward. Should I prune the roots and repot into the same pot? Repot again into a bigger pot? The roots on this thing grow like a weed. Is it typical to repot each summer when growing a ficus like this indoors? Any advice would be great. I'm not in a region where I could move it outdoors. I appreciate it!

 

[Knightlife]

Hey, if the weather is hot, ficus religiosa can go outside and it can grow all year round, but doesn’t like it under 10C though. It does really well if it’s humid but it will also stop growing if the temperatures are cooler, also if it doesn’t get enough sunlight.

 

[MSGhero]

Roots seem to grow well indoors. I left my salicaria alone for 2 years, and it was super root bound with thick tuber roots when it started with very few tiny roots. So yearly repot minimum for me, whether changing pot size or just trimming roots. I’ve pulled it out twice this summer to inspect and typically size up.

But, growing out of the drainage hole doesn’t mean it’s root bound. You could be allowing water to puddle there, and the roots were just following it out but otherwise not crowding the pot. You can just trim that.

 

[19Mateo83]

I have had one for going on two years. I have noticed that they grow in spurts. Is said above, they do enjoy being outdoors when it’s warm. I also keep Mine on the wet side and add slow release fertilizer in in the water tray and when it decides to grow it grows fast.

 

[Gabler]

They like it hot, with as much sunlight as possible. It's no surprise it's growing slowly indoors.

 

[young grasshopper]

Hey, if the weather is hot, ficus religiosa can go outside and it can grow all year round, but doesn’t like it under 10C though. It does really well if it’s humid but it will also stop growing if the temperatures are cooler, also if it doesn’t get enough sunlight.

Thanks. I read that they should be kept in one location and would react negatively to being moved in and out. Is that not the case in your experience?

 

[young grasshopper]

I have had one for going on two years. I have noticed that they grow in spurts. Is said above, they do enjoy being outdoors when it’s warm. I also keep Mine on the wet side and add slow release fertilizer in in the water tray and when it decides to grow it grows fast. View attachment 508356

Thanks for sharing! That's a good looking tree. Seems to be a somewhat similar size to mine so that's reassuring. How often have you needed to prune the roots? I stuck mine in a big pot this spring and there are already roots growing out of the bottom. Do you think it would being outside for the day just to be brought in at night? I've read differing opinions.

 

[Carol 83]

Thanks. I read that they should be kept in one location and would react negatively to being moved in and out. Is that not the case in your experience?

If you live somewhere that gets over 50 degrees in the summer, it will only benefit from being outside. If you add your approximate location to your profile, you will get the best advice for where you are in the world.

 

[namnhi]

They like it hot, with as much sunlight as possible. It's no surprise it's growing slowly indoors.

Not above 100 degree hot though. Their leave will burn and the trunk will scar too. Will take some pictures to show yall tomorrow.

 

[young grasshopper]

Hey, if the weather is hot, ficus religiosa can go outside and it can grow all year round, but doesn’t like it under 10C though. It does really well if it’s humid but it will also stop growing if the temperatures are cooler, also if it doesn’t get enough sunlight.

Thanks! Its been kept pretty hot and humid while inside during the summers. Occasionally we get a random cold night, which is why I don't think I should keep it outside generally. I can start bringing it outside during the hotter days. In the meantime I can accept the slower growth. I'll probably try to stick to native species going forward lol.

 

[young grasshopper]

If you live somewhere that gets over 50 degrees in the summer, it will only benefit from being outside. If you add your approximate location to your profile, you will get the best advice for where you are in the world.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I thought I did, but maybe I was unsuccessful. I reside in MI, USA, hardiness zone 6b. It gets very hot in the daytime and most nights, but there are random bouts of unpredictable weather and sometimes it gets cold. The lows this week look to be in the low 50s, high 40s. Maybe I can try it over June and July next year.

 

[Knightlife]

Thanks. I read that they should be kept in one location and would react negatively to being moved in and out. Is that not the case in your experience?

Yes they don’t like it but they get over it.

 

[young grasshopper]

Roots seem to grow well indoors. I left my salicaria alone for 2 years, and it was super root bound with thick tuber roots when it started with very few tiny roots. So yearly repot minimum for me, whether changing pot size or just trimming roots. I’ve pulled it out twice this summer to inspect and typically size up.

But, growing out of the drainage hole doesn’t mean it’s root bound. You could be allowing water to puddle there, and the roots were just following it out but otherwise not crowding the pot. You can just trim that.

Great point that I didn’t consider. Thanks very much! I think that is the case. I’ll wait until spring and prune the roots if necessary at that point.

 

[luvinthemountains]

I repotted it this spring and it showed some healthy growth for a bit before pausing and remaining stagnant since - similar to last summer. It appears to be root bound already - roots are starting to come out the bottom. My understanding is that this will impede its growth, therefore I should repot it.

I would love for some guidance on how to care for the tree moving forward. Should I prune the roots and repot into the same pot? Repot again into a bigger pot? The roots on this thing grow like a weed. Is it typical to repot each summer when growing a ficus like this indoors?

Ficus religiosa will grow slowly when kept indoors year-round, unless you have a very, very sunny spot - a sunroom is about what it would take. And if it is growing slowly, I would expect you could go 3-5 years between repotting and be fine. As for pot size, if you are happy with the size it is now then put it back in that pot or similar next time you repot. If you want to cut it smaller, repot it into a smaller pot. If you want to grow it bigger...well, you get the point.

Do not be afraid to put this plant outside all day and all night, as long as it does not get much above 100deg or much below 50deg. Just be prepared to water it more often, and start it in a shady spot in the spring, gradually introducing it to more sun. Once it gets used to life outside, it will grow well. Mine was the size of yours 5 years ago - now it is 7 or 8 feet tall! Not a bonsai, but maybe someday.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Just because roots are showing in the drain hole doesn't mean an emergency repot.

I only repot when truly actively growing in the summer months,when out on the benches. Never now...

I will say...even Florida peeps...come their winter. Stop repotting...trees stall. They leave them rest.

Edit: Forgot to say. Just trim the roots back with scissors. No need to repot.

 

[namnhi]

Here is the scorching from the sun when temp was in or above 100s for many weeks.

 

[young grasshopper]

Just because roots are showing in the drain hole doesn't mean an emergency repot.

I only repot when truly actively growing in the summer months,when out on the benches. Never now...

I will say...even Florida peeps...come their winter. Stop repotting...trees stall. They leave them rest.

Edit: Forgot to say. Just trim the roots back with scissors. No need to repot.

Thank you! Very helpful!