Just so happens, I have one of these guys. They are really nothing to look at in the winter months indoors. They have a very strong tendency to go dormant in the winter. They will drop their leaves and look pretty bad but, in the spring they will leaf out and grow vigorously. They might make good bonsai specimens if you're so inclined. They are relatively easy if you don't mind their winter appearance.

That's great to hear. Tell me more about how you care for it? What sort of light do you keep it in? Does it go outdoors in the summer? I want to ultimately get one to train into a bonsai, but before I'm ready for that, I'd like to keep one as a house plant. Where did you find yours? I can't seem to find any specimens here in Chicago.

Ficus Religiosa grows the best in tropical and sub-tropical zones. However, there are indeed people growing it in Chicago, New York, etc. c.f. http://cbs.ntu.edu.tw/bodhitree/en/cultivation.html
http://cbs.ntu.edu.tw/bodhitree/en/bin/vlbook/index.php?l=

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Bodhi Tree Network

I'm growing mine in Vancouver B.C. (cold and wet). I had it under lights last year as it was small, I put it outside this summer and has gained too much size to put under my small light fixture. I plan to bring inside and store by a window, cut back on watering and stop fetalizing.

I also have a friend who puts his into dormancy.

I find this plant grows like a weed. Good luck.

I've grown two for a number of years now. I put them outside in the spring with half day sun and bring them inside in a sun room with my other tropicals when the weather turns freezing in the winter. They like regular low doses of Miracle Grow (1 tsp. to 1 gallon) and attention. One plant has grown large and the other is small. Why, I don't know. A local Buddhist monastery planted one in the ground and it died. There is one (probably) in the ground at UCLA that is thriving.

(9b Los Angeles)