How to Grow a Ficus Tree Indoors for Decades: The Basics

How to Grow a Ficus Tree in Your Home: I've owned this ficus tree for 36 years. This is my winter 2023 update on the status of the tree with my tips for how I have nurtured the tree for all these years and what you need to do to help your ficus tree thrive during the harshest season of growth in your home.
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[@heehoopeanut420]

Thank you for this video! I was lucky enough to find one of these beautiful trees by the dumpster! It was in a braided arrangement, but all of the other saplings had died, so I just cut them off, cleaned the roots, and reported the twig and hoped it would grow. I was fortunate enough that it sprung back to life, and I was finally able to identify what kind of tree it was. When I tell you I was OVERJOYED! I saw a beautiful set of these trees grown indoors at an office building I used to work in, and I've wanted one so badly ever since. Lucky me got one for free, and an amazing care video from you to keep my tree doing well. Thank you so much❤❤

[@JustOneDonna]

Lucky You! I wish you good luck for a long and happy tree life!

[@tamarawilson9339]

I know this is an older video but thought I'd ask since you've had your tree for years. When a leaf turns yellow and you water, how much do you water. I keep hearing to water until it flows freely through the bottom but if you it's no longer in a nursery pot and it's a large indoor plant how does this work without ruining your floors. Also, what type of soil do you top dress with. Thanks so much for your videos.

[@JustOneDonna]

I split the watering, adding a little at a time until I see some excess in the collection pan. I buy commercial potting soil with fertilizer for top dressing. Thanks for watching, Tamara!

[@maryscupoftea]

I just got one from someone who had it for 10+ years and a week after I brought it home the leaves started yellowing and dropping 😭

[@JustOneDonna]

Ficus doesn't like change in my experience. Location is important. Choose a southwest or southeastern location to start. Good luck!

[@user-L-c5v]

great tips. any suggestions as to why their are white crystals forming at the end of a stem and the start of a leaf? This is occurring on many of the stems and leaves.

[@JustOneDonna]

I haven't seen that on my tree, but I googled it and found this answer: Occasionally little white specks appear on the upper portion of the leaf, close to the vein. These are known as cystoliths, and are actually calcium carbonate crystals. They aid in photosynthesis by scattering light throughout the leaf. Because the ficus's leaves contain all three minerals necessary for extended life, the plant can survive in a multitude of climates, from rainforests to clifftops, aided by cystoliths. Do not brush or pick them off the leaves. That's from www.ehow.com/facts_7732169_white-spots-ficus-plants.html

[@user-L-c5v]

And do you recommend only watering once you get yellow leaves? I'm having a weird problem where the bottom left is losing all of the leaves. Bottom right is fine.

[@JustOneDonna]

The way I use the yellow leaf as a watering guide is just looking for one random yellow leaf. If I have many yellow leaves, I consider that a problem and look for a reason. Insects? Humidity? Sunlight?

[@heehoopeanut420]

​@user-qp4xm7ym1n it could be something as simple as you need to rotate it every now and then. I have to do this with a lot of plants in my apartment, because our light comes in at very strong angles, and my plants will lean if I don't turn them every now and then. I'd listen to her too and make sure it's not the soil or humidity/etc.

[@marymarshall6486]

My tree grow too big. There is no soil left in the pot. The roots are spinning around and an orangey rusty color. There is no soil. I cannot lift the pot anymore. I rolled it outside for the summer. I cannot put it in a bigger pot because it will be too heavy and I can't get it inside and outside, can I save this tree? I can see from your video that I cannot leave it outside in a sunny spot Southwest.

[@JustOneDonna]

So sorry, I don't feel like I can help with your situation. You might want to consult with a local nursery.

[@ghazalahassan]

Why not survive there ficus in North West location

[@JustOneDonna]

Not sure I understand what you are asking, but when I had my ficus in the northwest corner of my house it did very poorly. It prefers the southeastern or southwestern corners of my house.