A ficus tree typically costs $20-$600, with large or mature specimens reaching $1,500 or more before delivery and planting. Price depends mainly on species, height, pot size, age, and whether the tree is sold as a houseplant or installed outdoors.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small potted ficus | $20 | $45 | $100 | Usually 1-3 feet tall |
| Medium indoor ficus | $75 | $180 | $400 | Typically 4-7 feet tall |
| Large specimen tree | $300 | $700 | $1,500+ | Often 8 feet or taller |
| Outdoor ficus installed | $250 | $850 | $2,500+ | Tree, delivery, and planting vary |
Typical ficus tree prices by height and variety
For a common indoor Ficus benjamina or rubber plant, a 1-3-foot plant in a nursery pot generally costs $20-$100. A fuller 4-7-foot tree is often $75-$400, while a mature, shaped specimen can cost $300-$1,500 or more. Ficus lyrata, also called fiddle-leaf fig, often costs more than a basic rubber plant at comparable size because mature, well-branched plants are harder to grow and ship.
Outdoor ficus prices depend on the species and local availability. A small landscape tree may cost $50-$250, while a 10-15-foot specimen can cost $400-$1,500 before installation. For a typical 5-6-foot indoor tree, a practical plant-only budget is about $150-$300.
Assumptions: standard nursery pot, healthy retail plant, and no premium ceramic container or installation.
What delivery, potting, and planting add to the quote
A plant’s sticker price may not include the container, soil, transport, or labor. Ask whether the quote covers these items, particularly for large trees that need careful handling or outdoor installation.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tree | $20 | $180 | $1,500+ | Price varies by size and species |
| Decorative pot and soil | $25 | $85 | $250 | Container and suitable potting mix |
| Local delivery | $25 | $75 | $200 | Distance, stairs, and handling affect fee |
| Repotting labor | $40 | $90 | $180 | Usually charged per plant |
| Outdoor planting | $100 | $300 | $750 | Excludes major grading or irrigation |
A delivered, potted 5-6-foot indoor ficus may total $250-$550. Outdoor installation can cost substantially more if access is tight, soil needs amendment, or a crew must move a heavy root ball.
How height, trunk form, and pot diameter change prices
Height is only one part of value. A single-stem tree may be cheaper than a braided or multi-trunk ficus of similar height, and a dense canopy generally commands more than a sparse plant. A 3-gallon nursery pot often holds a smaller tree; a 10- to 15-gallon pot can support a larger, more established specimen and raise the price by $100-$500 or more.
For indoor purchases, check both the plant and pot dimensions: a 6-foot tree may need a 12- to 16-inch container, adding roughly $40-$180 for a basic-to-midrange planter. Outdoor trees above 10 feet may require a larger vehicle and extra crew time. Moving from a 5-gallon to a 15-gallon specimen can add $150-$600, depending on species and local supply.
Assumptions: retail nursery pricing; unusually sculpted, rare, or imported trees may exceed these ranges.
Save on a ficus by controlling pot and delivery choices
Choose a healthy, smaller tree if immediate height is not essential. A 3-4-foot ficus can cost $40-$150, compared with several hundred dollars for a mature specimen. Buyers can also use a nursery pot inside an existing decorative cachepot instead of paying for an upscale planter.
Compare quotes with the same height, pot size, species, and delivery scope. For a local pickup, confirm that the tree fits safely in the vehicle and will not be exposed to cold or heat during transport. Separating plant price from pot, delivery, and planting charges makes it easier to spot a low headline price with costly add-ons.
Indoor and outdoor ficus prices differ by climate and market
Indoor ficus trees are sold nationally, but large specimens cost more to ship and may be stocked mainly by specialty nurseries. Local delivery for a large plant commonly adds $50-$200, with higher charges for long distances, stairs, or careful placement. In major coastal cities, retail prices can run about 10%-25% above similar plants in lower-cost inland markets.
Outdoor ficus is most readily available in warm regions, including parts of Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Southern California. In those markets, common landscape varieties may cost 10%-20% less than in regions where growers must ship them farther. Cold-climate buyers should verify whether the chosen species can remain outdoors year-round; indoor wintering or replacement risk can outweigh a lower purchase price.
Local availability and transport often matter more than a national average for mature trees.
Delivery and planting labor depend on size and access
For a standard indoor tree, retail delivery may be a flat $25-$100, while white-glove placement or stair carries can bring the charge to $100-$250. Repotting usually takes 30-90 minutes and may cost $40-$180, depending on tree size and whether the old root ball needs work. A simple outdoor planting often takes one or two workers about 1-3 hours.
Landscape labor commonly runs $50-$100 per worker-hour, though local rates vary. A larger tree may require a crew, dolly, or lifting equipment, raising labor and handling fees. Confirm whether the quote includes unloading, planting depth, backfill, cleanup, and removal of packaging or the old plant.
Three ficus purchases show realistic all-in budgets
A 2-foot rubber plant in a basic grow pot may cost $35, with $15-$40 for soil or a simple cover pot. A likely total is $50-$100 if picked up locally.
A 5-foot Ficus benjamina with a midrange planter may cost $175-$300. Add $50-$100 for local delivery and $40-$90 for repotting, for an estimated total of $265-$490.
A 10-foot outdoor ficus in a 15-gallon container may cost $500-$1,100. Delivery and planting can add $250-$700, resulting in roughly $750-$1,800 before irrigation or major site work. These examples assume normal access and no custom tree shaping.
Compare ficus varieties before paying for a mature tree
Common rubber plants are often the least expensive choice, with small plants at $20-$60 and larger indoor forms commonly $100-$400. Fiddle-leaf figs often run $40-$150 for small plants and $150-$600 for fuller specimens. Ficus benjamina prices overlap, but braided trunks and large canopies can lift costs to $300-$1,000 or more.
Compare the actual plant condition, not just the label. Look for firm stems, healthy leaves, and signs of pests, and ask whether the tree has been acclimated to indoor light. A less expensive, healthy smaller tree may be a better value than a tall specimen with sparse foliage or shipping damage.