The lowland rainforests of western Africa are home to the tropical plant known as the fiddle leaf fig. Its popularity as a houseplant is through the sky, but because it prefers warm, humid, and bright conditions, it can be a little picky when cultivated indoors.
But don’t be concerned! Given the proper circumstances and attention, this robust plant won’t be afraid to flaunt its striking profile and profusion of foliage.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees don’t have as many interesting stories or symbolisms as most flowering and attractive plants, but they are very compatible with the Taurus zodiac sign. But there is one certainty. Your house or business will undoubtedly benefit from the lush greenery and calming atmosphere that this “it plant” brings.
Types of Fiddle Leaf Plants
You can get two different types of fiddle leaf fig plants, often known as FLF, as indoor houseplants. The first one is a shrub called a fiddle leaf fig, which may reach heights of 3 to 4 feet and has a bushy appearance. Ficus lyrata ‘Compacta,’ ‘Bambino,’ and ‘Suncoast’ are popular cultivars. The Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is the common name for the other plant kind. It grows up to 7 feet tall indoors and is much taller.
Numerous reputable plant stores offer year-round delivery of fiddle leaf fig trees.
Are fiddle leaf figs available in a variety of varieties?
Most likely, you’ve encountered two varieties of fiddle leaf figs.
the short bushy kind with leaves that begin at the base and the tall, tree-like variety with a long, naked trunk. These two plants are the same one, but one has undergone shape and pruning. It is best to shape a plant in the spring when it has had time and energy to grow back. Patience is essential because it takes 18 months to get a fiddle to your desired level.
Pruning is done for two reasons: to eliminate dead leaves and to promote new growth. It is advisable to remove leaves when they begin to brown noticeably (as a result of stress or root rot) so they don’t sap the plant’s energy. Wearing gloves, cut the leaf stem at an angle, about half an inch away from the trunk, using sharp, clean pruning shears. Although pruning is an essential component of plant maintenance, you should take care to just remove 5–10 leaves at a time to prevent shock. For a tree-like shape, you can also remove lower leaves using this technique.
Cut, pinch, and snap off the bud at the top of the plant to promote fresh top growth. You know you’ve done it correctly when you see the sap begin to run. When a plant starts to grow too tall, you can even completely take off the top of it (this is sometimes referred to as radical pinching).
What distinguishes a fiddle leaf fig bush from a tree?
The most frequent inquiry I have from readers is how to transform a fiddle leaf fig from bush to tree form ever since I published the article Growing and Pruning Your Fiddle Leaf Fig. This article will cover the topic in more detail and, hopefully, provide all the information you need.
I’ve studied and read about fiddle leaf figs for years, as well as grown and experimented with my own. I’m pleased to impart what I’ve discovered, especially given the prevalence of false information.
Will my FLF bush develop into a tree? Yes, it is the answer. FLFs are so adaptable that they can grow to be bushy or be trained to resemble a tree. Making sure that your FLF turns out to look like a tree depends on a few different aspects. First of all, have patience—growing a tree takes time! You might have discovered a smaller, bushier FLF to bring home. Younger, smaller plants are less expensive and less risky to purchase if you’re unsure of your ability to care for them. If it doesn’t stay in your house, the risk is reduced. I occasionally like to bring home smaller plants because you can then explore and mould the plant to your preferences.
Fiddle Leaf Figs have three primary characteristics that distinguish them from bushes: height, one naked trunk, and branches. So let’s examine each one separately:
Height
Fiddle Leaf Figs don’t develop as quickly as other plants, but you can hasten their growth by giving them the correct environment. Three things affect growth: light, soil, and water. It could take some time before you fully comprehend what your FLF wants. Keep a watch on it to see how it reacts to changes in the amount of water and light that it requires. For maximum growth, FLFs require well-draining soil and a decent fertilizer (this one is ideal for FLFs). If you’ve never used fertilizer before, read these suggestions first. Change anything if your FLF isn’t responding well to what you’re doing. To get it right, a little trial and error might be necessary. See my post on growing and trimming your Fiddle Leaf Fig for additional general advice.
Branches
When your FLF reaches the height at which you would like it to branch, you can trim, pinch out, or try notching the tip to promote branching. The plant is informed by pruning the tip that its primary growth tip has been impeded and that it must produce additional shoots in order to survive. If you have a clear concept of where you want a branch to develop, you might want to employ notching, which has a similar effect.
It might seem intimidating to notch a fiddle leaf fig, but it shouldn’t be. If your FLF has a thinner trunk, use a pair of clean, sharp cutters or a razor. Cut the trunk at an angle, about 1/3 deep and halfway across. Above a leaf node, carry out this. Some milky white sap will drip if you’ve done it correctly. Go over the same area once more if the bud below shows no signs of change within a week.
Similar to trimming undesired branches, only be mindful of the impact it will have on the plant and avoid leaving it too bare.
Trunk
The internet is replete of amusing images of the tree-form FLF with a naked, waif-like trunk, in contrast to the bush-form FLF, which typically has its trunk covered in leaves. The lower leaves may naturally fall off after a few years. If you can’t wait that long, pulling off the lower leaves will give you a bare trunk faster, but they won’t grow back. As a final resort, be prepared to prune these leaves. (Of these three parts, the trunk should receive the most attention.)
Because trees are top-heavy and more prone to bending or toppling, the lower leaves support the trunk and aid in its strength development. Be careful to avoid stripping your FLF of too many leaves at once. Your plant’s chances of being unwell or dying increase if there aren’t enough leaves for it to absorb the nutrients it requires from sunshine. To learn how to strengthen a weak or leaning trunk, read my complete advice here.
Multiple trunks: It’s possible that your FLF is actually more than one plant if it appears to have more than one trunk in its container. Try to determine whether they are connected (via a low fork) or if they are independent trunks. When repotting, you should be able to tell if they are distinct or even if you’re not sure. Replant the roots after carefully separating them in several pots.
By following the above instructions, your FLF should eventually start to resemble a tree. Being able to handle this process on your own is enjoyable and really rewarding! Additionally, I’ve discovered that it has given me more information on how to care for them, and I now feel certain that I could get FLF of any size and shape surviving!
Repotting, trimming, and fertilizing should all be done during a FLF’s natural growth seasons of spring and summer to give the plant the most chance to adapt to the changes and respond in a positive way. For more information on fiddle leaf figs, see these posts.
Do you still have concerns about growing a fiddle leaf fig from a bush to a tree? If this was useful or if you have any other questions, please let me know in the comments!
Does the fiddle leaf fig differ from the small fiddle fig?
Another frequently asked topic is how to distinguish these plants from immature ordinary fiddle leaf figs as they occasionally coexist with regular fiddles and are not designated as dwarf or bambino.
Many members of the Facebook group have expressed confusion over why their fiddles aren’t developing before realizing they had actually bought a baby!
The leaves are the most straightforward method to distinguish a child from a standard fiddle.
Large, slightly elongated leaves that resemble fiddles can be found on regular fiddles.
The leaves of bambinos are often rounder, thicker, and smaller. Additionally, Bambinos could appear a little perkier when the leaves are straight up.
What distinguishes a fiddle leaf fig?
The fiddle leaf fig plant is a rock star among houseplants as far as plants go. The fiddle leaf fig, a staple of Instagram, is still going strong. You’re an excellent fit for the fiddle leaf fig if you enjoy a challenge. The plant has broad, elongated leaves with a fiddle-like form. The key to success is humidity, thus getting a good humidifier for your plant is crucial. To ensure a healthy and robust plant, make sure your fiddle leaf fig receives plenty of indirect sun, check the soil’s wetness before watering your plant, and spend money on a high-quality fiddle leaf fig plant food. Fiddle leaf figs give back by eliminating pollutants and producing clean oxygen, which helps to purify the air like no other.
How many different types of figs exist?
Fig trees come in more than 700 identified types, yet many of them are useless to amateur gardeners. Four types of figs encompass all of the varieties:
- CaprifigsCaprifigs never bear fruit and solely produce male blossoms. They serve only the function of pollinating female fig trees.
- Smyrna figs only produce female blossoms. They require a caprifig to pollinate them.
- Port Pedro
- San Pedro figs produce two crops, one on mature, leafless wood that doesn’t need pollination and the other on young, pollinator-dependent wood.
- Typical figs
- Figs of the common kind are typically planted in backyard gardens. They don’t require the pollination of another tree. The interior blossoms of figs that need pollination have an entrance that the pollinating wasps can enter via. Since common figs don’t require an opening, insects and precipitation entering the fruit won’t cause them to decay as easily.
Here are several varieties of figs from the common group that thrive in backyard gardens:
- A little to medium-sized brown or purple fig known as Celeste grows on a very large tree. It provides fruit that is suitable for dessert and ripens before most other figs.
- Alma figs have an underwhelming appearance but a fantastic, rich flavor. It takes a while for it to ripen.
- Large, delicious figs are produced by Brown Turkey throughout a lengthy season. The fruit has few seeds and appealing flesh.
- Large, deep purple Purple Genca, also known as Black Genoa or Black Spanish, has sweet, crimson flesh.
Visit a nearby nursery—one it’s of the greatest places to select a type that will grow in your area. They will have fig varieties appropriate for your environment on hand, and they can offer advice based on their knowledge of the area.
What distinguishes the fiddle leaf fig from the Ficus lyrata?
Ficus lyrata is one of our most popular plants at Flora Grubb Gardens, our nursery in San Francisco, and we almost always have it in stock. Come get yours right now! Continue reading for advice on how to grow and take care of these plants.
The fiddle-leaf fig, or Ficus lyrata, is the ideal interior specimen plant. The plant has erect, violin-shaped leaves that are enormous, densely veined, and tall. Our retail plant shop in San Francisco almost always has Ficus lyrata on hand.
These plants are indigenous to the tropics, where they flourish in hot, muggy weather. As a result, the home grower may find it difficult to replicate these steamy circumstances, making them a little more difficult. Fortunately, they are rather resilient plants that can endure less-than-ideal conditions for a fair amount of time. Last but not least, F. lyrata are really produced as larger specimen plants. If you can place them in a floor-standing planter that will allow the plant to grow to at least 6 feet, that would be ideal. In tropical settings, trees frequently reach heights of 40 feet or more. These are not naturally trimmed down to reasonable sizes due to their enormous leaves, though they can be shaped with light trimming.
Ficus lyrata plants don’t require much maintenance. Spotting on the leaves, which is particularly obvious in a plant with such huge leaves, is one of the most prevalent complaints about these plants. This spotting is typically brought on by a leaf injury, such as mechanical harm or a mite infestation. When exposed to air, the sap of Ficus lyrata can produce these brown patches. The plants are also vulnerable to a number of leaf-spotting and fungus diseases, which are often brought on by poor air circulation and an excessive amount of moisture that collects on the leaves. By keeping the plant well-trimmed and eliminating any dead leaves or twigs that you spot, you can assist stop this form of attack.
However, if your plant is dropping leaves, it’s probably due to inadequate moisture at the roots, low humidity, and cold, dry air. To raise the surrounding humidity, try spraying the plant frequently. Finally, because these plants are particularly sensitive to high salt concentrations, flush your potting soil completely on a regular basis, preferably once a month, to avoid salt buildup.
Pests include aphids, mealybugs, mites, scale, and whiteflies can harm Ficus lyrata. If at all feasible, locate the infestation as soon as you can and use the least hazardous remedy.
Repotting: Healthy specimens have vigorous, quickly developing roots (which is pretty typical for any ficus). Try to repot the plant once a year, increasing the pot size by two to four until the plant is the required size or you can no longer handle the container. After placing plants in large containers, remove the top few inches of soil and replace it once a year with new potting soil.
Advice: Avoid often turning or moving this plant. The plant should be placed permanently, and to keep it clean, use an old T-shirt to dust it. As necessary, stake and prune. Only leaves facing the light will remain on Ficus lyrata; ones facing a darker wall or corner will wither away. If you move or reposition your ficus, be prepared for leaf loss.
Ficus lyrata need strong, filtered light. Even a little sun won’t kill them, especially if they’re in an eastern-facing window. When housed in a too-dark environment, plants won’t develop quickly.
Water: Keep it moist, but don’t let it stand in water because that will cause it to lose leaves and develop root rot.
Fertilizer: For plants that are not in ideal conditions or are recuperating from stress, apply Maxsea All Purpose Fertilizer seasonally and up to monthly.