If you live in a region where it becomes scorched between rainstorms, you’ll need to water the Fiddle Leaf Fig more often to keep the soil uniformly wet.
This tropical plant is a tree that may reach up to 50 feet in the jungles where it lives. It can be maintained inside for many years before it reaches the ceiling, making it ideal for those who don’t have a lot of space.
Even if you have the area to grow a fiddle-leaf fig tree, it may be a complex plant to maintain in the long run.
Despite its reputation for being fussy, this chilly rainforest native may flourish indoors under the appropriate circumstances.
It may not be ideal for condo dwellers or those who are plants challenged, but those who are ready to give it the additional care it demands will be well-rewarded.
How To Care For Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing Tips
Large and cheerful rooms such as great rooms, sunrooms, and foyers are ideal. This indoor tree demands a lot of elbow and ceiling space to show off its stunning leaves and grow to their full potential.
Locate near a window with brilliant indirect or brightly filtered light that faces east or south. Leaves may be damaged by exposure to direct sunlight.
A warm area (60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit) away from draughts and heating and air conditioning vents is ideal for the fiddle leaf fig. Because it will be inside when you bring it home, avoid purchasing your plant during the winter (or any time the temperature outside drops below 50° F).
Your fiddle-greatest leaf’s friend is a humidifier since it enjoys humidity levels that are higher than usual. If your home’s air is arid, spray the leaves or set a humidifier nearby. Use an all-purpose potting mix like Ivy May Redwoods that drains nicely.
During the spring, summer, and autumn, water when the top inch of soil feels dry; during the winter, water less often. When fertilizing, use a high-nitrogen foliage plant food containing micronutrients throughout the growth season (spring through autumn).
Fungicides and fertilizers for fiddle-leaf and other focus trees are available. During the colder months of the year, refrain from providing food to your pet.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Care
Leaf care:
Every two weeks, wipe the leaves down with a moist cloth to remove dust and keep them looking their best. In addition to allowing more sunshine to reach the leaves, dust removal will help improve photosynthesis.
To keep your plant looking its best and prevent disease, remove any discolored or broken leaves.
Repotting:
It’s best to Know How To Care For Fiddle Leaf Fig: keep repotting your fiddle-leaf every spring into a container that’s approximately 2 inches bigger than the present one. To avoid toppling, use a heavier container or nest the plastic bottle with drainage holes within a sturdier clay or ceramic container.
A bamboo walking stick or moss-covered pole may also be necessary for support. You may avoid repotting an overgrown plant by removing the top 2 to 3 inches of soil and replacing it with a new layer of fresh potting soil.
Pruning and shaping:
Pruning is a great way to manage the fiddle-height leaves and form.
- Cut the main stem at the appropriate height, and new growth will arise from that point for a bushier form and less height.
- Allowing the plant will grow tall and then removing the lower leaves and branches to show the wooden trunk is the best way to get a treelike appearance.
- If your plant is becoming sparse, you may reshape it by pinching away new growth at the end of each branch, just above a leaf node.
Troubleshooting
Leaves drop:
When a plant suddenly drops its leaves, it’s typically an indication that it’s under stress.
According to Veronica Peerless, author of How Not to Kill Your Houseplant, “Fiddle-leaf fig does not like to be moved about.”
Other possible stressors include dry air or draughts, over or under watering, and a lack of sunlight. After a problematic transfer, Peerless suggests allowing your plant roughly six weeks of healing time.
Yellowing leaves:
Under- or over-watering is the most common cause. Keeping the potting soil wet but not saturated while watering your plants is essential.
Leaf tips turn brown:
Low humidity or inadequate irrigation is most likely to blame. Even in centrally heated areas, Peerless recommends spraying the leaves and watering periodically, ensuring the root ball is well wet.
Dark patches or spots on leaves:
According to Peerless, black patches might be caused by sunburn, and tiny dark spots could be signs of leaf spot disease. Leaf spot, which may be caused by bacteria or fungus, is more likely to develop in moist environments or on leaves that have been exposed to water. Remove any diseased leaves and apply a fungicide as a preventative measure.
The plant is leaning to one side:
If your fiddle-leaf moves toward the light, it’s probably just adjusting its position. Turn it often or secure the trunk to a sturdy object to keep it steady.
Pest control:
Many plant pests may attack fiddle-leaf figs, including spider mites and scale insects. Keep an eye out for pests and treat your plant with an organic insecticide if the leaves get affected.
A beautiful architectural statement may be made in every part of the home with the fiddle leaf fig, a popular houseplant of the moment.
Although this rich plant’s lustrous, violin-shaped leaves make it a sight to see, it may be challenging to maintain. The good news is that there are ways to keep it alive and flourishing in your environment.
The good news is that the fiddle leaf fig may grow to a height of 6 feet or more after it has become used to its new environment, making it an impressive focal point. Suppose you’re looking for a different appearance.
In that case, there are also bushier and shorter kinds of the plant, such as ‘Suncoast’ and ‘Compacta.’ Because these not-so-cheap houseplants are worth the money, we’ve put together a list of the most important things you should know before bringing one of them into your home.
FAQs:
How often do you water a fiddle leaf fig?
Approximately once a week or once every ten days, water your plant. We’ve already explained that FLFs come from a rainforest-like habitat, so they’re accustomed to getting a lot of rain with periods of dryness in between.
Do fiddle leaf fig trees need direct sunlight?
The Fiddle Leaf A window with direct morning or afternoon sunlight is ideal for growing figs. There shouldn’t be any trees or other buildings shadowing the window in the ideal scenario, so try to choose one with an eastern, western, or southern exposure.
Should you mist a fiddle leaf fig?
New leaf buds should be lightly misted, but not so much that water drops down the rest of the plant. Use a clean, soft towel to gently dab up excess water if you’d like to give your new child buds a nice misting every week. You can grow a healthy fiddle leaf fig even in a dry area.
References:
- Ficus lyrata, commonly known as the fiddle-leaf fig, is a species of flowering plant in the mulberry and fig family Moraceae.
- Leaf fig tree