Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Plant Species >> House Plants

Ficus Tree Exposed Roots: Normal and Harmless

A newly acquired ficus drops yellow leaves; roots are visible near trunk. Expert Will Creed: exposed roots are normal as soil settles. Tree develops bark-like protection. Do not cover with damp soil (causes rot). If unsightly, use Spanish moss or dry bark nuggets. Place tree at sunniest window to ease acclimation (3–6 months). Free ficus care article via email.

House Plants: Olive Tree Regrowth from Roots: Managing Persistent Sprouts; Dealing with Tree Roots in the Lawn: Removal and Prevention; Carrotwood Tree Near Foundation: Root Management vs. Removal; Poplar Root Suckers in Lawn: Can You Cut Roots Without Killing the Tree?; Tree Roots Lifting Pavers: Switch to Gravel or Raise Patio; Balsam Fir Roots at the Foundation: Prune Slowly, Not All at Once; Ash Tree Surface Roots: Cover, Don't Cut; West Indies Mahogany Surface Roots Near Sidewalk: Root Barriers Better Than Cutting; Cottonwood Tree Too Close to House: Root Damage Risks; Scale Insects on Ficus Tree: Identification and Treatment

Garden Articles

Neighbor's Cypress Roots Damaging Driveway and Foundation

Willow 25 m from House: No Subsidence Risk

Grinding Cottonwood Surface Roots: A Risk to Tree Stability

Sitka Spruce Surface Roots Near Foundation: Prune or Remove?

Old Tree Roots Damaging Walkway: Root Barrier vs. Removal

Mulberry Tree Near Building: Root vs. Branch Concerns

Olive Tree Roots in Sewer Lines: Options

Plants

Avocado Tree Root Competition in a Vegetable Garden

Golden Rain Tree Root Safety Near Walkways and Foundations

Saving an Oak Tree After Surface Root Cutting

Managing Neighbor's Pine Tree Roots Encroaching Your Yard

Sweetgum Tree Roots and Foundation Damage: Prevention and Assessment

Worms in Plum Tree Roots: Earthworms vs. Borers

Tupidanthus Root Encroachment: Root Barrier Solution