24 inches per year With a growth rate of 24 inches per year, the Indian laurel has intense watering needs when it’s newly planted. However, once the tree has established itself, watering can be eliminated as they are drought-tolerant. How do you grow a ficus Indian laurel?
Plant the Ficus Nitida Dig a planting hole three times the width of the tree’s root ball. Set the tree in the center of the hole, untangling any encircling roots. Backfill with the original soil and tamp. Water thoroughly.
Is Indian laurel the same as Ficus nitida?
Indian laurel fig also goes by another popular common name Chinese banyan tree. It’s a member of the large fig family Moraceae and genus Ficus. Although now classified as Ficus microcarpa, it once was classified as Ficus nitida. The tropical tree is native to southern China, India, Australia and New Caledonia. Do ficus Indian laurel trees lose their leaves?
Because the Ficus Nitida/Indian Laurel trees grow very tall they provide a great variety for shade trees. Although they do not lose their leaves completely in the winter, they do lightly shed throughout the year. Back in January 2007, Ficus trees across Phoenix experienced freeze damage.
Is Ficus nitida Evergreen?
Ficus nitida is native to Asia and Hawaii and is an evergreen tree ideal for growing in the Southwest. In fact, this single-trunk variety loves to grow where there’s plenty of full sun exposure. How can I make my ficus grow faster?
If you grow a ficus outdoors, it grows most quickly when it’s in full sun for at least part of each day, and slows its growth rate if sited in partial or full shade. Whether a houseplant or an outdoor plant, you can help boost the growth rate of a plant in low light by moving it into brighter light.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
How far apart do you plant ficus?
To form a hedge, ficus plants are spaced 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart. A 50-foot-long hedge will require 20 to 25 plants. The width of a mature ficus hedge will be between 3 and 4 feet.
How do I make my ficus hedge thicker?
Trim the shrub annually after the third pruning to remove any dead, broken or diseased branches. Remove one-quarter to one-third of the branches each year to encourage thick, healthy interior growth. Cut back any branches that extend past the desired perimeter of the shrub.
How tall does a Ficus nitida grow?
Native to India and Malaysia, Ficus nitida is widely used as a street tree and as a formal hedge in Southern California. Grows at a moderate rate up to 40 ft. May be pruned at almost any time of year to size or shape desired.
How do you stop ficus from dropping leaves?
To help with this, try to keep your ficus tree’s environment as stable as possible. Keep it away from drafty windows and doors, air conditioners, and heaters. Use a humidifier in the winter, when the air gets dry. And, once you have placed your ficus tree in your home, do not move it.
Is Ficus Microcarpa an indoor plant?
Is Indian Laurel poisonous to dogs?
If your pet has eaten any part of a laurel shrub, contact your veterinarian immediately. The flowering shrub laurel contains a powerful neurotoxin called grayanotoxin which can disturb the proper function of the body’s cell membranes. Laurel poisoning should be treated as an emergency.
Is Ficus nitida invasive?
Ficus Tree Root Problems The Ficus tree’s root system is very invasive. Merely planting this tree without any guidance can later lead to buckling pavement on driveways, streets, curbs, and damaged underground utilities and drains.
Are ficus trees good for privacy?
Closely related to the common Fig tree, ficus trees are widely used as privacy hedges in Southern California. Ficus nitida grows into a 25 to 30 foot evergreen tree with a 35 to 40 foot spread when fully-grown. The dense foliage creates immense amounts of shade and privacy.
How do I keep my ficus tree healthy?
Ficus love bright, indirect sunlight and lots of it. Your plant will enjoy spending time outside during the summer, but protect the plant from direct sunlight unless it’s been acclimated to it. During winter, keep your plant away from drafts and don’t allow it to stay in a room that falls below 55-60 degrees F.
How often do you water a ficus tree?
Drainage and a watering schedule Water your ficus when the top two to three inches of the soil dries out—you can easily measure this by using the first two knuckles on your finger. The larger the plant, the more water it needs. A plant in a 12-inch pot needs at least 1-1.5 liters of water a week in the summer.
Are coffee grounds good for ficus trees?
Oak, pine, spruce and fir trees also love acidic soil. … (Most edible plants like acidic soil, but some plants, such as eucalyptus, ficus, chrysanthemum and clematis, prefer alkaline soil). Used coffee grounds make an effective and fast-acting fertilizer for plants and vegetables.
How much does a real ficus tree cost?
On average a smaller ficus tree will start at around $15 for one in six-inch pot and can cost as much as $100 for a four-foot tree. The cost will depend on the size and where you purchase it.
How much does a 15 gallon ficus tree cost?
1 Gallon | 15 Gallon | |
---|---|---|
Ficus | ||
Benjamina | 6.75 | 55.00 |
Nitida-All | 6.75 | 55.00 |
*Flax-PhormiumGreen/Bronze | 5.75 | 47.50 |
How long do Ficus nitida live?
“With the right care, a ficus tree can live for about 20 years.”
How do you make a ficus bushy?
Prune your ficus in the spring if you want it to grow fuller. If you’ve noticed excessively thin areas on your ficus, pruning can encourage branching. Try trimming your ficus in early springtime to encourage branch and foliage growth during the next season.
What kind of fertilizer do ficus trees like?
Ficus plants need fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. The ideal ratio is 3:1:2, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension. Three numbers will be printed on the outside of the package.
Where do you put a ficus tree?
Place the ficus near a window in a room that gets bright light in the summer with more moderate light in the winter. Turn the plant occasionally so all the growth does not occur on one side.
How long does it take for a ficus hedge to grow?
Full-Sized Ficus Trees Grow Rapidly in Size A Ficus tree typically reaches approximately 25 feet in height within only 10 years and will continue to grow to 70 feet within a 40-year time span.
Are ficus fast growing?
Ficus, or fig trees, are fast-growing subtropical and tropical climate trees. They are also grown as shrubs, bushes and indoor houseplants. Exact growth rates differ greatly from species to species and site to site, but healthy, fast-growing trees usually reach 25 feet within 10 years.
Can I plant a ficus in the ground?
Can I plant a ficus in the ground? In USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11 where you can grow ficus trees outdoors year-round, you can plant them directly in the ground.
What is the best fertilizer for ficus hedge?
You can use a fertilizer with a NPK amount of 8-8-8. Spread underneath the tree and water thoroughly. It is better to use an all purpose fertilizer for ficus hedges because a fertilizer high in nitrogen will cause the hedge to grow too quickly.
When should I feed my ficus?
Fertilizer. Feed your ficus with slow-release pellets at the beginning of the growing season. They are rapid growers and will benefit from monthly fertilization in the spring and summer and once every two months in the fall and winter.
How can I make my hedge grow faster?
ENCOURAGING FAST GROWTH
- Choose the right hedge for the right space. If you don’t plant your hedge in the right site, fast growing shrubs will never thrive. …
- Plant your hedge at the right time. …
- Water for the first 1-2 years. …
- Fertilize. …
- Prune at the right times.

Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.