Question
I have a spectacular ficus lyrata that I've had for about fifteen years, since it was very small; it's been under a skylight in my home and is now nine feet tall and extremely dense.  Unfortunately, we're selling the house, and I need to relocate my beloved ficus.  I recently started work at an office that has a large, nearly empty lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides and skylights, and they'd love to have my tree.  My only hesitation is the fact that this lobby is only heated to about 60 degrees in winter.  Will my tree be "comfortable" in this temperature?  I want to be sure it will do OK before I undertake the ordeal of moving it.  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Valerie,

Temps as low as 55 degrees are fine for Ficus lyrata. However, sharp blasts of frigid air from doors that open from the outside to the lobby could cause cold damage to a Ficus lyrata. That may not be the situation in your office building lobby, but I thought you should know that, just in case.

Otherwise, it should be fine, but do expect some leaf loss as it adapts to its new environment.

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

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