The fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is a popular indoor tree featuring very large, heavily veined and glossy violin shaped leaves that grow upright on sleek trunk.
A fiddle-leaf fig is perfect for bringing life and character to any room in your home. A floor standing container will allow the plant to grow up 6 feet tall, but most indoor specimens reach around 10 feet!
The plant is a fast grower and can be pots at any point in the year if you’re like most gardeners. Keep this gorgeous plant away from cats as it contains toxins that could cause them harm; also make sure to keep an eye on your dog, since they often enjoy eating plants too!
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Care
These plants are a challenge to grow for the home gardener, who may have trouble duplicating very warm and wet conditions found in their natural habitat.
Regardless of the environment, the fiddle-leaf fig plants are tough plants and can withstand most environments.
Fiddle-leaf figs are not demanding plants as long as you can get their growing conditions right. When grown in the home, be prepared to rotate your fiddle leaf fig tree every few days so that it grows evenly and doesn’t lean toward any one area of light–which would cause uneven development on its leaves!
Fiddle-leaf figs are one of the most interesting plants I’ve ever seen, and it’s even more intriguing that they do everything on their own.
Every week or two dusting these leaves will make them appear shinier and happier.
Moreover, it is advisable to cut away any damaged or dead leaves as they arise. You can also choose to prune off one of the top branches for bushier habit!
Light
Fiddle-leaf figs are beautiful plants that require bright, filtered light to grow and look their best. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves so you want to keep them away from hot afternoon sun. And if your plant is kept in low lighting conditions it won’t be able expand rapidly like one who lives by natural window light.
Soil
A fiddle-leaf fig loves the indoors, but they can’t live without good drainage. Make sure to find a potting mix that’s suitable for these plants and give them all of their needs met with fertile soil so you’ll get happy plants!
Water
Fiddle-leaf figs need a moderate amount of moisture in order to thrive. If the soil doesn’t get enough water, its leaves will wilt and lose their bright green color; too much can lead to root rot that ultimately could kill it!
Fiddle-leaf figs are a plant that is often grown as an ornamental. They require watering when the top inch of soil feels dry, and it’s ideal to flush your pot with water at least monthly in order prevent salt from building up on these sensitive plants over time.
Temperature and Humidity
Fiddle-leaf figs are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. A room that’s between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit is typically fine, though you must position your plant away from drafty areas as well as air conditioning or heating vents which can cause sudden shifts in temperature.
Fiddle-leaf figs like to be in a room with very high humidity, so if you don’t have access or space for an external humidifier then make sure to mist your plant with clean water.
Another way to help with humidity is to place it on a tray of pebbles with water and make sure that the bottom of your pot is not touching any water droplets.
Fertilizer
Fiddle-leaf figs are a gorgeous plant that demands some special care to keep it looking good. Fertilize throughout the growing season with a high-nitrogen fertilizer, following label instructions. You should have no problems keeping up with this beauty over winter!
Types of Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Fiddle-leaf figs are not just for trees. A gardener’s favorite, Ficus lyrata is the most common variety that can grow up to 20 feet tall on its own or in a container with soil; it also has several cultivars available such as:
- Ficus lyrata ‘Bambino’: This is the perfect choice for any space under 5 feet in height.
- The Ficus lyrata ‘Compacta’ is a smaller, more compact variety that can grow up to 5 feet tall. It features thinner leaves than the main species with an open form and flat surfaces.
- Ficus lyrata ‘Variegata’: This rare variety is a gorgeous mix of green and cream.
Pruning
A fiddle-leaf fig benefits from having its leaves pruned every so often. Cut back any damaged or crossing branches to let the plant breathe, and make sure you are cutting about an inch away from trunk for safety reasons because it may come off if handled roughly!
Propagating Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Fiddle-leaf fig is a tough plant to grow from seed. It’s much easier and more reliable when you take cuttings of stem or tip roots, which can easily be done at home with just about any rooting compound on hand! However, propagating from seeds is much harder.
Once you have chosen a stem with leaves, use shears to cut off about 12 inches of it. Then pinch off all but one leaf.
- Put a vase of your cutting in a jar or water and place it somewhere with bright, but indirect light.
- Change the water once it appears cloudy and dirty.
- In a few weeks, small white bumps will appear on the stem’s base that is sitting in water. In just handfuls of time after that and with no effort whatsoever you’ll find roots growing from those spots where they were planted!
- When the roots reach 1 to 2 inches long, plant a cutting in damp potting soil and keep it moist.
Potting and Repotting Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Be sure to repot a young fiddle-leaf fig annually in spring. Select a sturdy container that is 2 inches larger in diameter than the existing one, and gently loosen from its current pot while supporting its base with care so as not damage any roots or leaves, then place it into new ground soil mix and add potting mix around its base.
Once it’s mature it will probably be too big to repot. The best way to keep your plant healthy is by removing the first few inches of soil each spring and replacing it with fresh topsoil.
When you are potting your plants outdoors, make sure the temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything colder can cause too much stress for fiddle-leaf figs!
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
These plants don’t have serious pest or disease issues, but they can be prone to spider mites and scale. With these problems, you might notice leaf damage such as spots on the leaves that change color from greenish-yellow- brown with dark patches, which could also indicate a fungal infection.
If this happens, don’t hesitate to spray it with an appropriate fungicide. Be sure to take action as soon as possible, and make sure your plant has ample air circulation.
Common Problems With Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Bleached Leaves
If you notice light brown or bleached spots on the top of leaves, it may be a sign that your plant has been getting too much direct sunlight.
This is called leaf sunburn and can lead to scorched looking plant as well. Fiddle-leaf figs especially have this problem since they often grow near windows where there’s strong afternoon rays coming through them. If this happens, prune the affected leaves and move the plant to a shadier location.
Brown Spots on Leaves
Root rot is a disorder that affects plants and can cause them to turn brown. Root rots happen when there’s too much water, insufficient root space, or improper drainage in your potting soil-filled planters.
Repot your plant if you notice this, and continue to monitor its growth.
Yellowing Leaves
If you notice that newer fiddle-leaf fig leaves are yellowing, it may indicate a bacterial problem. It’s too late to fix the issue; however, try cutting off these affected parts of your plant and repotting in fresh soil for new growth!
Dropping Leaves
Fiddle-leaf figs are prone to dropping leaves when they experience either an abundance of water or lack of water.
This can also happen from sudden temperature changes in the environment they are growing. To help your plant, move it from drafty areas, heat or air conditioning units, and cut back on watering for a while.