Question
I have a Ficus benjamina that is about 4 feet tall and broad (at least 3 feet wide). It is leaning in it's current pot (17 inch pot). Would like to straighten it.  What steps do I need to take to repot and straighten this plant?  Can I root prune and keep in same pot?  It has been in current pot for a few years, yet shows no signs of root bound (no stunted growth, etc). Can I do this now or do I need to wait ? Could I also prune now?


Answer
Hi Jules,

That pot is a bit oversized for your Ficus and that may be part of the reason it is leaning.

To straighten it out, all you have to do is reposition it in the pot. Pull it up out of the pot slightly so that you can tilt the rootball just enough to get the trunk vertical. Hold it in place and then tamp down the soil all around the rootball so that it stays in place. That's it. No root pruning required.

If it continues to be wobbly in the pot, then you can remove excess soil around the outside of the rootball and move the remaining rootball into a tighter, smaller pot where it will have better support.

Straightening, repotting and pruning can all be done at any time of year. No need to wait.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC