Sacred fig (Bodhi tree)

Ficus religiosa

Tropical Asian large fig with distinctive heart-shaped leaves ending in extended drip-tips, and small purple-red figs on the branches. The tree under which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.

Hardiness ratings

Sacred fig (Bodhi tree) hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 10–12 −1.1 °C to 15.6 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H1c 5 °C to 10 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 9 −1 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 5–7 5 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
  • Sacred in Buddhism (the bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, India), Hinduism (sacred to Vishnu), and Jainism — widely planted at temples
  • Eventually a substantial tree — 25+ m, with aerial roots forming pillar trunks; allow generous space
  • Frost-tender — strictly tropical to subtropical
  • Not reliably hardy outdoors in Canada — Canadian zone values shown represent the system maximum and do not imply garden cultivation north of the warmest coastal pockets.

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Sacred fig (Bodhi tree) against your zones

Reference

Sacred fig (Bodhi tree) on Wikipedia