Can you have the ficus outside?

Are the ficus outdoor? The question seems to have a simple answer, but it really is not, since there are more than 800 different species, and of course, they live in different habitats: some are found in tropical forests, and others instead in temperate forests. And on the other hand, we would have to mention the climate that they support, since although most prefer a warm climate where there are no frosts, there are some others that do tolerate them well.

For this reason, and taking into account that it is increasingly easier to find different varieties of ficus in Spanish nurseries, we want you to know exactly where they should be placed, whether outside or inside the house.

Where should they be placed?

Well, it depends on the species. But it is important to take into account that they are trees that need a lot of light, so they must be exposed to the sun directly. In fact, when they are grown indoors, it often happens that the leaves drop quickly due to the little light they have.

Likewise, it must be said that, although there are some that can withstand frost, In general, they all prefer to live in a place where the climate is warm., without extreme temperatures. Only him ficus carica, which unlike the others is deciduous, needs the temperature to drop below 0 degrees in winter to come to rest.

Can they be outside all year round?

Again, depends. In this case, it will be the climate of our area and the rusticity of the species that we are interested in cultivating that will make us decide whether to have it outside throughout the year, or only during the months when the weather is good. To help you make the best decision, I am going to tell you what is the resistance to cold of the most popular Ficus species:

• Ficus »Ali»: It is an evergreen ficus that has lanceolate leaves and a thinner trunk than others of its genus. It is very sensitive to cold, so much so that if it goes below 0 degrees it will die. See file.
• ficus benghalensis: The strangler fig is an evergreen tree that can become very, very large, occupying several hectares, but fortunately when the climate is temperate its growth is quite slowed down, and it also tolerates pruning. It does not support frost, but from experience I can say that the cold (temperatures of 10 degrees or a little less) do not hurt it. See file.
• Ficus benjamina: It is another evergreen tree. You have a lot indoors, but you can also have it outside if the weather is warm. It does not resist frost. See file.
  

  

  

  

  Image - Flickr / scott.zona

  
  
• ficus carica: It is a species of deciduous leaf that can withstand frosts of up to -7ºC without problems. It produces edible figs during the summer, something that is certainly interesting. See file.
• Ficus elastica: It is a variety of evergreen ficus that, although it likes a tropical climate, also does quite well in climates like the Mediterranean. In my town, for example, in the south of the island of Mallorca, there are several quite large specimens that do not suffer at all during the winter. Of course, the lowest temperature that has been recorded here is -1,5ºC, and it was for a very short time. See file.
• ficus lyrata: This is a species of perennial leaf that adapts well to living in pots, something that is appreciated because it can't stand the cold at all. See file.
  

  

  Image - Wikimedia / Dinesh Valke

  

  

  Image - Wikimedia / Vinayaraj

  
  
• Ficus microcarp: This variety of ficus also has perennial leaves, and being native to the tropics, it should not be placed outside if the temperature drops below 5ºC. See file.
• Ficus line up: the climbing ficus is an evergreen plant that can withstand temperatures up to 10ºC. See file.
• Religious ficus: It is a very pretty tree, evergreen, which unfortunately does not support frost.

How to care for a ficus outdoors?

Now we are going to explain what care a ficus needs if it is kept outside. In this way, you will know what to do to make your tree beautiful:

Pot or soil?

If it is a ficus that does not support frost and there are frosts in your area, it is best to have it in a pot so you can put it inside the house when the temperatures start to drop below ten degrees Celsius. This pot must have holes in its base, and be of the right size so that your plant can grow well for a while. Thus, if for example the one you have now measures about 10 centimeters in diameter, the next one will have to measure more or less twice that. As a substrate you can put a universal one like this.

In case you want and can plant it in the garden, make sure to put it in a sunny place and as far as possible from the area where there are pipes or paved floors, otherwise it will end up destroying them.

Irrigation and fertilizer

Irrigation will only be done if the ficus is indoors, or if it is outdoors but it rains very little and the soil dries up. A) Yes, you have to water it about three times a week in summer, and the rest of the year it will be done less frequently since the earth remains humid for longer.

Regarding the subscriber, it will be done while the good weather lasts and the temperatures are high, and liquid fertilizers or fertilizers will be used if it is in a pot, or in powder form if, on the contrary, we have it planted in the garden soil.

Pruning

Pruning is a job that must be done if the ficus is indoors and/or in a pot, although it should also be done if it is in the garden or orchard. It will consist of eliminating those branches that are dry, and those that are growing in the lower part of the trunk; as well as in reducing the length of those that are growing too much, being the beginning of spring the best time to do it.

Therefore, yes, it is possible to have the ficus outdoors, and in fact it is the most advisable. But if the temperatures drop below 0 degrees in your area, you will have to protect it at home if it is sensitive to frost.