The Ficus lyrata, or fiddle-leaf fig, has a reputation for being picky. Even though it’s not the easiest houseplant to take care of, its pretty big leaves and tree-like shape make it worth the work. It’s a good choice for anyone who is just starting to garden. The small trees do well in cool, filtered light indoors, and they are tough enough to survive less-than-ideal circumstances.
This fig can be grown in a room that gets a lot of morning light. If you plant it in good soil and water it regularly, it will grow steadily and quickly to be between six and ten feet tall with little trouble. People and pets can get sick from fiddle-leaf fig.
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Care
- It will get better light if you put your plant near a window.
- Plant in good houseplant soil and move young trees to new pots every year.
- Don’t water too much; the dirt should be just barely wet.
- Add something to help the main stem.
- Every few days, turn the pot around so that all of the plants are facing the sun.
- Once every two weeks, use a wet cloth to wipe the leaves clean. This will help photosynthesis.
- As they grow, cut off any leaves that are hurt or dead.
The best light for fiddle-leaf figs is bright light that comes from the side. The leaves can get burned by direct sunlight, especially in the hot afternoon sun. Low light doesn’t hurt plants, but it does slow their growth and cause brown spots to show up on their lower leaves.
Not enough light can make drainage problems worse, so plan to change how often you water when there isn’t much light.
Soil
Any good potting mix for house plants will work as long as it drains well. It’s easy for water to drain when you mix peat-based soil with perlite or cactus and houseplant potting soil 50/50.
Water
Fiddle-leaf figs like the soil to have a modest amount of water in it. The leaves will turn brown and wilt if the plant doesn’t get enough water. If you give it too much water, it could lose its leaves and die from root rot. When it’s time to grow, water your fiddle-leaf fig when the top inch of dirt feels dry. In the winter, you should water a little less often.
When the dirt is too salty, these plants don’t do well. Clay pots, cleaned water, and fertilizers can all cause salts to build up. Once a month, flush the dirt several times until water comes out of the holes in the bottom. This will keep salt from building up.
Temperature And Humidity
Keeping the temperature in your home between 60°F and 85°F on average is enough. The humidity should be between 30 and 65%, and there should be some space around your plant so that air can flow well. It can get dry in the winter, so mist the plant every day or put it on a tray of rocks filled with water. Another choice is a small fan.
Fertilizer
During the growth season, feed it a high-nitrogen plant food once a month. Three parts nitrogen to one part phosphorous makes up NPK 16-5-11, which is a good pick. For houseplants, you can use water-soluble pellets or liquid fertilizers, and there are even recipes made just for fiddle-leaf figs. Make sure to give your plant a lot of water ahead of time, and don’t use fertilizer in the winter.
How Much Light Do Fiddle Plants Need?
It loves light!! If you get a fiddle leaf, put it in a window that gets a lot of light. Make sure it’s bright light that comes from the side. If you can help it, don’t put it in a corner out of the way of the sun. Its leaves love to soak up light, so put it somewhere in your home that is bright and warm.
It is very important to keep the leaves clean of dust and dirt because the tree likes bright light. When they don’t have a clean surface, leaves can “suffocate” if they get too dusty. Photosynthesis, thank you!
About once a week, I use a damp cloth to wipe the leaves clean and get rid of all the dust and dirt. I use a leaf shine spray to make the leaves really shiny after I clean them.
It will finally lean toward the sun because this tree loves getting lots of light. Some people do this once a month or every time they water the tree. This will help the tree stay straight and balanced.
Types Of Fiddle-Leaf Fig
The most popular type of fiddle-leaf fig grown is Ficus lyrata, but there are also a number of cultivars, such as
- Ficus lyrata ‘Bambino’: is a small type that grows to be only a few feet tall.
- Ficus lyrata ‘Compacta’: This type gets to be 5 feet tall and has leaves that are smaller and denser.
- ‘Variegata’Ficus lyrata: It is a rare type of ficus that has an attractive mix of green and cream leaves.
Pruning
Fiddle-leaf figs do better when they are pruned selectively every once in a while. This should be done in late spring or summer, when the plant is growing quickly. Cutting between leaf nodes should be done at a 45-degree angle with a strong, sharp hand pruner. Be careful not to hurt the main trunk or a branch.
Some farmers like it when their plants look like trees with a branched canopy. Professional gardeners say you shouldn’t do this until your fiddle-leaf is 5 feet tall. Then, put the main trunk just above a leaf node to help it spread out. You can make more cuts to make the tree grow horizontally once new branches start to grow.
You can get rid of dead leaves or trim back damaged ones at any time. Most of the time, you can gently pull off dead leaves. If the leaf is mostly healthy and green, you can cut off the brown ends. To keep a more realistic look, follow the shape of the leaf.
Common Problems With Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Fiddle leaf figs are hardy plants that thrive even in office environments with little attention. Take extra care of yours and make changes as soon as you see leaves that aren’t doing well to get the most out of it.
Bleached Leaves
The plant might be getting too much direct sunlight if the tops of the leaves have light brown or pale spots. This is known as leaf scorch or leaf sunburn. Get some sharp shears and cut off the leaf. Then, move the plant to a spot that gets bright, filtered morning light.
Brown Spots On Leaves
Root rot from too much water or having the plant sit in water can show up as dark brown spots or edges that are turning brown. Check the roots and cut out any that are brown and soft. Remove any leaves with spots and plant the plant again in new, dry soil. Change how often you water.
Changes in temperature can also cause brown spots. Check for drafts and move to a place where the temperature stays the same if needed.
Yellowing Leaves
There may be bugs on the plant if the new leaves are turning yellow. This is harder to fix, but try taking off the leaves that are sick and repotting the plant in new soil. Keep it alone until it gets better.
Dropping Leaves
Leaf loss is a sign of either wrong watering or big changes in temperature. Take the plant out of places that get drafty. Lessen how often you water the dirt so it stays slightly wet instead of soaked.
Where In My House Should I Put My Fiddle Leaf?
The fiddle leaf doesn’t like being moved around very much. It likes to stay put, and moving it around the house can make the leaves fall off. You can move it to the sink to water it, but moving it for long amounts of time can be bad.
Not until I tried it did I really believe it. My fiddle leaf did drop leaves. Another tip is to keep your tree away from drafty places. The tree might not like being near a door (especially in the winter) or a vent. Find a sunny spot in your house that isn’t near a door or vent.
How Can I Keep My Fiddle-Leaf Fig Looking Its Best?
If you use a wet, soft cloth to clean the leaves of your fiddle-leaf fig, you can keep them shiny. Getting rid of dust and dirt also helps him stay healthy because it lets his leaves take in more light.
FAQ
Is A Fiddle Leaf Fig A Low-Maintenance Plant?
There is some work that needs to be done on fiddle-leaf figs because they are known to be picky, but with the right care, this hardy plant can be happy. The plants will do well if you keep them warm, give them humidity, bright, indirect light, and water them regularly.
Does A Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Do Well Indoors?
Indoors, fiddle leaf fig plants do well. If you’re new to flowers, this is a good choice for a bigger tree shape that doesn’t require a lot of special skills or knowledge.
Do Fiddle Leaf Figs Prefer Direct Sunlight?
Fiddle leaf figs don’t like straight sunlight; they like bright light that comes from the side. Put your plant near a window that gets a lot of light, but not right in it. You can also add a blind or shade to block the light. If your plant’s leaves have light brown or white spots on them, that means it is getting too much direct sunlight.