Ficus religiosa – Sacred Fig – Bo Tree (4″ pot)

Description

FAMILY: Moraceae
ORIGIN:
TYPE/USES:
SIZE:
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: full sun
WATER REQUIREMENTS: average
MIN. TEMP. : low 30’s
FLOWER: winter, and spring, this plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and/or birds

This plant is considered sacred by the followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, and hence the name ‘Sacred Fig’ was given to it. Siddhartha Gautama is referred to have been sitting underneath a Bo Tree when he was enlightened (Bodhi), or “awakened” (Buddha). Thus, Bo Tree is a well-known symbol of happiness, prosperity, longevity, and good luck. Today in India, Hindu Sadhus still meditate below this tree, and in Theravada Buddhist Southeast Asia, the tree’s massive trunk is often the site of Buddhist and animist shrines.