Are you able to post pics?

Tip the Schefflera out of it's pot, if it looks root bound, go ahead and move up a size (6 inch). They do not need much water (every 10 days or so...maybe longer) and not even a whole lot of light (no bright and direct needed). Should be fine to move it to a shade only spot in the summer, but watch it closely for stess...when outdoors, it might need more water than normal.

As for the Ficus (assuming Ficus elastica), pretty much the same thing, except they can stand a bit more light (west window should be fine). They, too, can go outdoors, but are NOT tolerant of frost and sunlight while there.

If this one drops its leaves, you can hard prune it and it should come back...I was lazy with mine at first and have had to do this twice now...each time it came back with a vengeance...

Number one thing....they both have fairly thick leaves...so be very careful no to overwater them. Get to know the weight of the pots...this will help you to know how often they need a drink (I let mine go completely dry before watering again). Different variences such as type of pot (plastic vs clay or terra cotta) and temperature/humidity in your house will create a different watering schedule than others....BTW a glazed ceramic pot falls somewhere between the plastic and terra cotta.

How big are these plants? If they are looking healthy in present pots, I'd let them acclimate to new location for a while before repotting. The first thing people often do is repot, then wonder why their nice new plants are looking stressed.

Water on the plants schedule, not elapsed time. Water thoroughly, and not again till you feel dry soil. Stick your finger down in. Some of the things that affect drying time will be the combination of temperature, humidity, air movement,root mass, light and season. I just mention that so you know know that the time it takes to dry out from time to time may change. Goood luck. Sandy

Thank you for your responses...I've tried to post pictures on here before, but for some reason, it never works for me.

The schefilera is about 13" tall from the top of the pot and is approximately 15" wide. The rubber tree plant is about 10" tall from the top of the pot and the same wide.

To show my ignorance, I didn't realize the rubber tree was related to the fig. Great...I've never been able to keep a fig tree alive, either! Ha! Ya'll might want to pray for these unsuspecting little plants. :)

Thanks, Again,
Beverly

That certainly sounds like it might be too large for a 4" pot...

It is spring where you are...I realize the others are recommending not repotting them, but these guys are probably root bound. I have never had a problem (no matter what time of the year), with bringing a plant home and immediately repotting it....they tend to "spring to life" for me. Have you looked at the bottom of their pots to see if roots were coming out of the drain holes (not definitive that they are root bound, but can be indicative).

And as I mentioned (as well as the others), get to know your own watering schedule for your plants...

You might want to stay away from the "moisture control" potting soil for these....that one seems to hang on to dampness for quite a while.

If you can get your hands on a bag of Pro-Mix BX potting soil, my plants are absolutely loving that....seems to be better than MG, in my opinion. It drains very well...

I like Pro-Mix too. The plain formula without moisture retention. Especially for scheff, but I use it for everything. Sometimes with added perlite, bark. Haven't heard of BX and can't think what that would stand for. A new blend? I'm still working out of the bag I bought last year.

Schefflera don't have a huge root system so the best way to tell if it needs repotting is probably to loosen sides of soil and gently pull it out.

Thank you, all, for your advice. I have never heard of or seen Pro-Mix, but I think I'll look for it!
Beverly

Quote from the Premier Horticulture website:

"PRO-MIX 'BX' is a "general purpose" peat-based growing medium with vermiculite and perlite, used for the cultivation of a wide variety of plant species. This complete mix is lightweight, uniform and blended to the highest degree of consistency to ensure maximum plant performance."

You can find what companies sell Pro-Mix here:

Once there, click on the little image that occasionally says "where to buy Pro-Mix"...

Here is a link that might be useful: Pro-Mix

Thanks, that link was interesting. According to that what I was calling the plain kind is the original--(no added fertilizer or moisture retention) and I think at one time the only. Sandy

I've just started using Pro Mix and I love it. I used to use Miracle Gro mix, but they started adding too much water retention and too much fertilizer. I have lots of plants, and it got to be a nuisance to keep track of when the fertilizer would wear off and would have to start adding it again.

Exactly right, Watergal. That also makes it easier for us to control when and how much, according to our individual plants and conditions. Just like cooking, its easier to add ingredients than remove. Sandy

Well...I went to the site that Webkat provided and found that there are no stores that offer ProMix within 50 miles from my home. I guess I'll have to stick with Miracle Gro. Thanks for the link, though. I'll keep an eye out for that brand in the future. Surely someone around my area will start providing it...someday? :)

Beverly

Yes, Beverly, if you start asking the stores to carry it, one of them probably will....

Provide them with the name of their closest distributer and this will make it easier for them.

Buy a bag of perlite too and mix it about 1/3 perlite, 2/3 MiracleGro. The MiracleGro soil holds way too much water, especially for the plants you are growing, and the perlite will help it drain. Try not to breathe the perlite dust when you pour it out though - it's irritating to the lungs.