Ficus Tree in the winter?

[hoofbeats95]

Someone is offering to give me a nice big beautiful ficus tree. But I''m unsure if I can manage to keep it alive during the winter months in my house. Does anyone do this? Do you have any tips? TIA!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Ficus don''t need a lot of care. Only tips - do not let it dry out AND do not overwater it and/or leave water in the saucer.

Which part of the country do you live in? I''m in the NW and all both Ficus plants do fine with medium light and average 68-70 degree interior temperature.

Keep in mind the term "weeping" often associated with them is due to them dropping leaves during certain times of year/or if you move them to a new lighting situation. This DOES NOT mean the plant is dying!!!

 

[diamondringlover]

I have had a ficus tree for 16 years, I dont have to much trouble with it, I just water it when ever I think about it, the only time I have had alot of trouble with it was during the ice storm in 2004 and we were without heat for 3 days, we only had kerosne heaters, I lost several branchs off of the tree, but the main core of it stayed alive and I still have it today

 

[hoofbeats95]

I''m in the mid-west, St Louis area. How much light do they really need? I have grow lights for a little tropical tree that I have and also for my hibiscus. The tree did great with the light last winter. The hibiscus are new this year, so I wasn''t sure what to do with them. Should I put one on the ficus?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

One of mine is in a dark corner and is growing wonderfully. Before I moved, that same plant was on a book case that received early morning sun and it also did great in that location. The important things is to give it filtered light. No direct light and *no* southern exposure (especially in the summer). A grow light is unnecessary and may actually be too bright for the plant.

Try to find a stable location - no drafty windows/doors.

How tall is the tree? Is it 1', 3', or is it a lot taller than that?

If your house lacks humidity, you can spray the plant lightly in the morning. Also, always water in the morning as at night, wet dirt encourages mold growth on the surface.

ETA - if the plant is easy to move around, stick it in the shower, if you have a removable shower head and turn the water on a slighly warm comfortable temp and turn the sprayer to gentle and wash down the leaves to remove dust from the surfaces! Maybe do it this fall and once in the winter. In the summer, I "wash" and water all my plants that way. During the winter, when the dirt doesn't dry out as fast, you don't want to saturate the soil. In the summer, however, plants LOVED to be cleaned off and I water them all that way. Their leaves breathe more easily.

 

[hoofbeats95]

This plant is pretty tall. The pot is huge. It''s a tree more than a plant. It''s not going to be easy to move.

I thought Ficus trees loved the sun? So next year I can''t put it in a full sun area of my yard? I''m so confused.

You really think a grow light will be too much? I don''t think it will add much heat - just light.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I''ve had a about three or four ficus in my life, but all have been kept inside. My mom had a tree that she kept indoors and it lived for years. My dr. has two massively tall ones (in the pots, they reach the ceiling), and he keeps his inside (here in Seattle) and has a person come out and prune them to keep their shape.

Have you talked to any local nurseries to see what they recommend? Call all around and get their opinions about what to do outside and how to plan for both cold (for the winter after this one) AND for summer.