Q&A for How to Repot a Ficus Tree

Transplant your ficus during the spring. Use a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil that includes compost. Fertilize your ficus with a balanced liquid fertilizer. With some minor pruning of both leaves and branches, you can encourage new root growth after transplanting.

It’s time to up-pot your tree. Gently remove a small amount of the roots growing out of the bottom of the pot and transplant them into a larger pot. Do this sooner rather than later to preserve the health of your ficus. Use a pot slightly larger than the root ball. Going forward, repot your ficus once a year or every other year.

Yes, you can tease out the roots, being careful not to damage them. At this time it is a good idea to trim roots that are root bound. Trim the hardened roots not the fibrous roots. This will promote branching of the roots and promote fibrous root growth.

Stab a pencil into the soil in a couple of different places. This will loosen the soil and let the water penetrate. Water the soil as normal; the water will seep into the holes.

You should lightly pack the soil without much force. Tap on the side of the pot to settle the soil as you go instead of using your hands to press it down. After the first time you water it you may need to add more soil as that will pack it in even more.

Clear all dead leaves from the soil. Add soil if needed. Thoroughly water until the soil is completely drenched. Wait about 15 - 30th minutes for the soil to drain. Then put the tree in a bright and warm place and only water it when needed. Phylis does not like being moved and has no problem showing it when she is.

Remove it by carefully digging around it. Find all the roots, and carefully pull it out. If you feel a tug, then stop.

Yes! Ficus plants can be pruned in spring and fall months, preferably before or following its dormant season. Avoid pruning too close to the trunk, focusing instead on overgrown leaves and branches.

Most likely not! Ficus plants thrive in bright, but not direct sunlight and generally lose leaves following replanting. As long as the plant's leaves grow back in the coming months, it adapted well to repotting.

If you don't want your ficus to get larger, it's better to root-prune your plant, and you can certainly repot it in the same pot. Root-pruning a rootbound plant is an easy procedure and it may even save the life of your ficus.

Run a large old bread knife around the inside perimeter of the pot, then lay the pot carefully on its side and grab the base of the plant and gently ease the plant from the pot (do this on a tarp so as not to damage the pot and get someone to hold the pot).