How to Pot a Ficus
Ficus trees are popular as both indoor and outdoor trees because they are versatile and can survive in a variety of light conditions. Whether you are potting a ficus tree for the first time, or you are repotting a ficus tree that has outgrown its original home, following a few essential potting and care techniques will help reduce stress on the tree and allow it to thrive well in the new pot. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Pot your ficus tree during times of active growth. For most varieties of ficus, this is during the early to mid spring. While you can pot a ficus tree anytime during the year, potting during active growth will allow the roots to establish more quickly.
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Chose a pot that is 10 inches in diameter. This size is well suited for most ficus trees and it can sustain a ficus that grows up to 5 feet. Make sure that the pot has draining holes on the bottom so that the soil does not get water-logged.
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Place the ficus tree into the pot and fill the remainder of the pot with any multipurpose soil. Most types of ficus trees do not need a special soil, just one that drains, so using a multipurpose or multipurpose organic soil should work well for the tree.
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Water the tree once a week or whenever the soil is no longer moist. Do not allow the soil to get soggy, as this could cause damage to the tree. If after a week the soil is still moist, wait a few extra days before watering again.
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Fertilize the tree with a 20-20-20 fertilizer once in the spring and once in the fall. Ficus trees that are grown indoors can survive without fertilizer, but if you notice the leaves turning brown, you may want to use a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year.
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Tips & Warnings
When a ficus tree is repotted, it can suffer some transplant stress, such as losing leaves. This does not mean that you need to excessively water the tree or give it extra fertilizer. It should recover after a few weeks of standard care.
