Ficus trees, otherwise known as fig trees, are excellent plants for beginning gardeners due to their rapid growth rate, but the speed of growth can vary between Ficus species.
Whether you have recently planted a full-sized Ficus tree in your yard or have a smaller bonsai plant in your home, you may want to know how long it will take for the plant to reach its full adult size.
Fortunately, when it comes to Ficus trees and plants, you won’t need to wait patiently for too long.
Here we will explore the length of time it takes for Ficus trees to grow as well as steps that you can take as a gardener to speed up the growth process.
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How Fast Do Ficus Trees Grow?
Full-sized Ficus trees can reach a height of at least 25 feet tall (7.6m) within a 10 year period and reach a height and circumference of 70 feet (21.4m) within the next 40 years. The precise rate of growth for Ficus trees varies greatly between species, but proper care can encourage the growth of Ficus trees.
Full-Sized Ficus Trees Grow Rapidly in Size
Ficus trees have a fast rate of growth, and can quickly sprout within a brief period of time. If you have recently planted a Ficus tree in your yard, you need to make sure that you have provided plenty of adequate space for the tree to expand in height and circumference.
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.
While this does indeed mean that you will have a full-sized shade tree in your yard within the next ten years, you also need to use caution when planting a Ficus tree outdoors due to its large size and shallow roots.
Ficus trees need sufficient room to grow in order to reach their maximum size.
Ficus trees often thrive in subtropical and tropical climates, but if a storm was to come, these large trees could easily topple over and destroy roofs and vehicles thanks to their shallow roots.
Therefore, it’s advisable to plant Ficus trees away from your home or driveway to prevent the possibility of damage caused by fallen trees or roots that compromise your indoor plumbing.
Ficus trees fare best in warmer temperatures where they are exposed to a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Although Ficus trees do need an adequate amount of watering, you should allow your tree plenty of time to sufficiently dry out in between watering to prevent the growth of fungi.
While indoor Ficus plants are unlikely to produce figs, larger outdoor Ficus trees usually produce two harvests of figs each season with a period of maximum productivity that lasts between 10 to 15 years.
A Ficus tree will not bear fruit throughout its entire lifespan, but you can still expect to enjoy fresh-grown figs for quite a while.
Indoor Ficus Plants Have a Slower Rate of Growth
Ficus plants are an excellent choice for those who are beginners at gardening, but if you simply want a fast-growing ornamental houseplant rather than a monstrous shade tree in your yard, the secret is in the pruning.
Regular pruning of both the shoots and the roots of your indoor Ficus plant will keep your plant at a manageable size by restricting its growth.
If you choose to keep your Ficus plant small and house it indoors, you will still need to keep the area surrounding your Ficus plant at a warm temperature and expose the plant to several hours of indirect sunlight per day.
Ideally, your Ficus plant should be kept on the porch or on top of a window sill, so that it receives a sufficient amount of sunlight. Once again, allow your Ficus plants to dry in between watering sessions.
Since Ficus plants are extremely bushy, you can get creative in trimming the leaves into various shapes.
Although the growth rate will be stunted by keeping your plant indoors and potted, it will still continue to grow outwards and produce a large bundle of bushy leaves.
Indoor Ficus plants can grow beautifully if they are properly cared for.
Frequently Asked Questions about How Fast Ficus Trees Grow
What Conditions Do Ficus Trees Like?
Ficus trees do not fare well in cooler temperatures or when exposed to draft. They thrive at temperatures that are well above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Although Ficus trees are common in subtropical climates, such as that of Florida, temperatures that are too hot can actually result in the leaves being scalded. However, you’ll need to expose Ficus trees to bright light.
What’s the Best Watering Schedule For a Ficus Tree?
Ficus trees should not be watered any more frequently than every 7 to 10 days, as too much watering can result in the growth of bacteria and fungi and can ultimately kill the plant. You need to allow adequate time for full draining before re-watering a Ficus tree.
How Long Does a Ficus Tree Live?
Indoor Ficus plants usually live for up to 20 to 30 years. However, outdoor ficus trees can live for much longer than that. The lifespan of a Ficus tree can also vary between species.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that Ficus trees are extremely fast-growing plants that can provide beautiful ornamentation indoors or a shady sanctuary and seasonal figs when planted outdoors.
While the Ficus tree is known to be a good plant for beginners, its rapid growth rate means that you will get plenty of pruning practice if you decide to grow indoors.
Fortunately, the Ficus trees’ fast growth rate means that you’ll be enjoying fresh figs, cool backyard shade, or a gorgeous houseplant within a short period of time.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.