{"slug":"ficus-religiosa","scientific_name":"Ficus religiosa","common_names":["Peepal","Pipal","Sacred fig","Bo tree","Bodhi tree","Ashvattha"],"family":"Moraceae","type":"broadleaf_deciduous","mature_height_m":20,"mature_spread_m":20,"growth_rate":"fast","lifespan_years":500,"hardiness_zones":[10,12],"sun":"full","water":"medium","soil":"Deep alluvial sandy loam with good drainage, but grows in rock crevices, walls and shallow soil","native_range":"Native to the Indian subcontinent (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh), Myanmar and Malaya; planted and naturalised across tropical Asia and beyond.","description":"The sacred fig of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, a spreading tree of about 20 m with a trunk 1.5 to 2 m across and heart-shaped leaves on long stalks that tremble in the slightest breeze. It begins life as an epiphyte and will root into walls, bridges and temple masonry, so it is cherished but also cracks foundations and pavements. Planted at temples, village squares and roadsides across South Asia and lopped for fodder.","care":"Plant only where its roots can spread freely, well away from buildings and pipes; it is near impossible to remove once established in masonry. Water the first season; it needs little afterwards. Pollard or lop in the dry season if grown for fodder. Few serious pests apart from leaf galls and scale.","benefits":["shade","birds","wildlife","long_lived","fast_canopy"],"uses":["parks","yard_shade","street_tree"],"cautions":["large_roots","surface_roots","heavy_litter"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Ficus_religiosa_Bo.jpg","image_credit":"Wikimedia Commons, file Ficus_religiosa_Bo.jpg (see file page for author and licence)","sources":["https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/treedb2/speciesprofile.php?Spid=18111","https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Ficus_religiosa.PDF","https://www.gbif.org/species/5361935","https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=282754"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/ficus-religiosa","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/ficus-religiosa.md","regions":[{"country":"BD","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361935"},{"country":"IN","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Planted in every state; sacred","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361935"},{"country":"MM","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361935"},{"country":"NP","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361935"},{"country":"PK","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361935"},{"country":"LK","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced (the Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura) per WCVP","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361935"},{"country":"TH","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced per WCVP","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361935"},{"country":"US","region":"FL","locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced per WCVP; not on the FISC list","source_url":"https://www.floridainvasives.org/plant-list/2025-invasive-plant-species/"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}