Origin
The Ficus religiosa, also known as the Bodhi tree, has its origin in India, South-west China and Indochina. It is a sacred tree in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. In Buddhism, this tree is identified as the place where Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, attained enlightenment.

Characteristics
The Ficus religiosa is a large, evergreen tree that can grow to a height of 30 meters. The tree is characterized by its heart-shaped leaves and long, winding roots. In the wild, small figs grow on the tree that vary in colour from green to purple upon ripening. The leaves are shiny and bright green with a distinctive point at the end.

Care
The Ficus religiosa thrives best in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-draining soil. Regular watering is essential, but the soil should dry out between watering to prevent root rot. In the winter, the tree tolerates lower temperatures, but must be protected against frost. Pruning is generally not recommended, unless it is necessary to control the size or to remove dead branches.