Fiddle Leaf Fig Care – How do you keep a fiddle leaf fig alive indoors?
The fiddle leaf fig is well-known for its beautiful foliage. However, it requires special plant care to keep its stunning appearance. You’ve probably seen fiddle leaf figs in stylish interiors, large plants with large leaves are a bold statement. They are a striking feature in any room, even if they are hidden in a corner.
These beautiful, finicky creatures require special care in order to keep them looking their best. However, once they are used to it, they will thrive as happy, healthy additions to your home.
Originating from Central and West Africa’s tropical areas, where they can be found in lowland forests. The fiddle-leaf fig plant is part of the Ficus Genus. It is one of approximately 850 species in Moraceae. Fiddle leaf figs can be found as epiphytes in the wild. They grow on top other plants. They don’t like being moved so make sure you find the best spot in your home for them and then leave them there.
Ficus Lyrata is also known by many other names, including fiddle fig tree and fiddle-leaf fig. This plant is fast-growing and has large leaves that add drama to any space. Its large, shiny leaves are shaped like a string, hence the name.
The fruit of the tropical plant is small and green. They are produced in their natural habitat where wasps pollinate them. It is rare for them to flower or produce fruit indoors. Their towering stature and spectacular foliage are what make them so popular.
Types Of Fiddle Leaf Fig
- Ficus Lyrata The dwarf variety ‘Bambino stands just a few feet high.
- Ficus Lyrata Variegata’ is a rare, sought-after cultivar that bears variegated green and cream leaves.
- Ficus Lyrata ‘Compacta is a type that can reach 5 feet in height and has smaller, more bunched leaves.
Selecting Soil for Fiddle Leaf Figs – When should I repot my fiddle leaf?
Fiddle leaf figs prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter and a pH of 6 to 7. Fiddle fig trees can be grown in most indoor potting mixtures. To promote drainage, 1/3 of the mix could be made up of cactus soil. These plants don’t like to walk on wet feet.
It is best to repotted once a year for maximum health. However, their rapid growth might make it necessary to repot every other year. Larger, deeper pots encourage more growth and prevent roots from tangling. However, any sturdy planter that is at least 2 inches bigger than the pot it replaces should be sufficient.
You can trim the top of mature fig houseplants to keep them from outgrowing their space.
Do fiddle leaf figs need direct sunlight?
Fiddle-leaf figs prefer bright, indirect lighting. The more leaves a fig has, then the more light it needs. To get soft morning sunlight, place the plant in front a window with east exposure. Direct sunlight can cause browning and burn the leaves. To protect them, place the plant in a west-facing window with an overhang or shade. Rotate the plant every other day to make sure it grows straight and not curving towards the sun.
Leaf drop can be caused by too little sunlight. For fiddle-leaf trees that are particularly tall or winter months, it can be difficult to get enough natural light indoors. Natural light can be supplemented with fluorescent or LED lights that last 6-8 hours per day.
Watering Fiddle Leaf Figs – How often should a fiddle leaf fig be watered?
Give the fig plants a good soak in room temperature water once per week in the spring and summer. The plant can become shocked if it is exposed to too hot or cold water.
Fiddle leaf figs like moist soil, but they can become root rotif their soil is too dry. If they don’t receive enough water, the leaves can wilt and become dull. It is a good rule to let the soil dry out for at least 2 inches before you water again. Winter: Water less.
What does an Underwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig look like?
Brown spots appear at the edges of the leaves. Curling leaves inwards, leaf drop, and curling the leaves can occur. This can affect all the leaves, not just the lower ones. Fiddle Leaf Figs that have been underwatered will have hard, dry soil that recedes from the pot’s edge and shrinks.
Fertilizing Fiddle Leaf Figs – What fertilizer is best for fiddle leaf figs?
Fiddle leaf fig trees should be fertilized once per month during the summer growing season. Use a high-nitrogen food such as one with an NPK ratio of 3-1. Winter fertilization is not recommended.
They like a neutral pH soil (the ideal level is 6.5). Supplements like coffee, even though they are high in nitrogen, can be too acidic for plants. This could cause leaves to yellow.
Temperature & Humidity – Should you mist fiddle leaf fig?
These tropical plants thrive in warm, humid, and stable environments. Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause damage. Indoors, they should be kept between 60 and 75°F. However, avoid placing them in direct sunlight or near heating or air conditioning vents. This can lead to temperature shifts that could cause dry or discolored leaves.
Fiddle leaf trees thrive in a relative humidity of between 30 and 65%. You may place a humidifier nearby the plant, or mist it once per day during winter. You can also increase the humidity by placing other plants near it.
Propagating Fiddle Leaf – Fiddle leaf fig propagation in soil
A sharp, sterilized knife is required to make a cut with at least two or three nodes in order to propagate a fiddle-leaf fig. Place the cut in a small container with moist soil and apply the rooting hormone. The roots should be visible in 6-8 weeks.
- Air layering takes longer, but it can create a larger plantlet if you use a mature fiddle-leaf fig houseplant. You will need to cut off a 2 to 3 foot branch.
- Take a few leaves from the chosen section and then use a sharp knife or a razor to remove the bark layer. Apply rooting hormone to the exposed stem section.
- Then, create a pocket around the area using clear plastic and twist ties. Then fill the pocket with soaked-wet sphagnum moss.
- Keep it moist for approximately two months.
- After the roots have filled the moss ball with their roots, you can use a sharp knife and separate the new fig to transplant into its own pot.
Safety Considerations – Why is a fiddle leaf not pet friendly?
Like many other beautiful plants, the fiddle-leaf fig is a danger because its leaves can be toxic to pets, cats and humans if they are ingested. This can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
They can also cause skin blistering, just like their cousin the mulberry. They can cause skin irritation and dermatitis in pets and children.
Potential Diseases and Pests
Fiddle leaf figs are like most houseplants. They are susceptible to many pests including mealybugs scale, whiteflies and Aphids. They are rare in healthy figs. You can easily get rid of them by simply wiping the plant down and using insecticidal shampoo.
The fungus-gnat is a common pest to houseplants. It is attracted to damp soil. These little pests can be controlled by repotting, watering properly, and applying food grade diatomaceous Earth to the soil.