The ficus tree (Ficus benjamina) is a plant that can reach the grandiose height of 30 meters (98 feet) in its natural habitat. More often, however, the ficus is kept as a potted houseplant. The ficus is very tolerant of both indoor and outdoor conditions. In terms of appearance, the plant has gracefully bending branches, earning it the nickname weeping fig tree. These limbs have glossy, oval-shaped leaves with tips that taper to a slender point. Like all species of fig tree, the ficus can produce fruit. However, it is not typically consumed, although it is edible.

Pruning and Maintaining a Ficus Tree

The primary reasons to prune a ficus are to enhance its shape and inhibit its growth. The typical indoor ficus has an exposed trunk with a leafy crown that’s a roughly rounded, bush-like shape. The ficus is easily conditioned and trimmed into this configuration; however, it is not entirely naturally occurring. In nature, a ficus tree typically spreads somewhat wider and has an amount of nonconforming lower limbs, lending it a bushier and less well-groomed appearance. The typical indoor ficus is shaped to accentuate and exaggerate this already attractive design.

Basic Ficus Tree Pruning

Ficus trees should undergo pruning after new growth stops in the late summer and early fall. The typical plant experiences this fresh growth in the spring and early summer months. If a potted ficus is brought inside for the winter, pruning it before bringing it into the house is an ideal time. Because ficus are fairly hardy and resilient, pruning can be done year-round if necessary, not just during the optimal period in summer/fall. Dead or broken branches can be pruned at any time.

To prune a ficus tree, the most useful implement to have on hand is a pair of small pruning shears designed for fine/close work and narrow stems. These should be clean and sharp for the best results.

Ficus trees can be pruned step-by-step in the following manner:

• Locate a node where a leaf/twig joins the stem/branch
• Cut on a slight downward slant before a node
• Cut close to the node without cutting into it
• Leave at least one node for new growth on that stem/branch
• To eliminate a branch, cut it back to just before the trunk/limb and do not leave any nodes

This should be done with the aim of creating a natural-looking, yet well-manicured tree.

Ficus Bonsai

Bonsai refers to the ancient Japanese art of growing miniature trees in shallow containers. Both the Ficus benjamina and Ficus retusa varieties make excellent bonsai trees. This is because of their small leaves and relative hardiness. The ficus tree also grows quickly and is evergreen. Like all bonsai, they require methodical and frequent pruning to maintain both the desirable size and traditional form. This practice can require much time and patience, but the end results are often quite stunning.

Ficus Tree Stress Reactions

The ficus has a tendency to drop leaves suddenly due to changes in light, temperature, watering volume and schedule, air quality, positioning, and other factors possibly too inconsequential for its human owners to notice. Ficus are adverse to all forms of change and express their response to environmental stress by dropping large quantities of leaves. In general, this is not a cause for alarm. The ficus will adjust.

Other Considerations in Ficus Tree Maintenance

The roots of the ficus are considered invasive. If the ficus is planted in the ground, its roots will spread, possibly growing underneath and uplifting sidewalks, concrete patios and driveways. For this reason, ficus may not be appropriate for in-ground planting in all locations. In potted plant form, they must be re-potted every one to two years; otherwise, they will become pot-bound and will no longer thrive.