The most crucial step in repotting your fiddle, regardless of whether it is root bound or simply needs new soil, is to remove as much old soil as you can and “fluff out” any roots that are bound.
Simply putting your Fiddle Leaf in a larger pot and adding dirt to the sides won’t help if it is root-bound. This is due to the roots’ training to encircle the pot; in order for them to develop normally once more, they must be fluffed out.
Additionally, adding new soil to the periphery will reduce the effectiveness of your irrigation. When watering a pot with two different soil types, the water will follow the shortest route to the bottom of the pot. This indicates that the roots are less likely to receive adequate watering.
Step One: Mix up your new Soil
Mix the new soil mix you want to use in a separate, sizable container or bucket. This step is unnecessary if you’re only using a bag of succulent and cactus mix.
Step Two: Lift the plant out of the Pot
Assemble the plant by its base. Gently wiggle and remove the plant out of the pot by turning the plant and pot on their side. This ought to be simple to accomplish. Squeeze the pot if necessary to aid in releasing it.
Step Three: Gently break away Old Soil
The goal is to get rid of as much of the old soil as you can without damaging the roots too much. Although some breakage is unavoidable, keep in mind that the little roots are crucial because they are the ones that transport nutrients. Stability is provided by the bigger roots.
To assist wash away the old dirt, you can either submerge the root ball in water or use a hose. When repotting, make sure the roots are not allowed to dry out. Additionally, be careful that the water you use is not almost frozen—this could shock the tropical plants.
Step Four: For Root bound plants, trim some of the longer, outer roots
Trimming the roots of plants that were root-bound can encourage fresh development. Cut off any very long, outer roots. Think of it as a hair trim—you don’t need to take too much off—just an inch or two all around (depending on the size of your plant).
Step Five: Fill the planter with around a third new soil
You should add about a third new dirt to the planter you are using. Place your plant back into the pot after that, paying attention to how high it is sitting. You should plant it so that the soil covers all of the roots and comes up to the top of the pot within an inch.
Step Six: Place the root ball into the Pot & Fill
You might need assistance holding the plant upright while you add fresh soil to the sides. Remember that the earth will settle, so firm up the area surrounding the roots to help the plant stand.
Step seven: Water the plant
Avoid skipping this step! When the plant is watered, the soil will be able to move around and settle in between the roots, leaving none exposed. Make careful to water it until a lot of the extra runs off. If you see that the soil level has decreased as well, you can tap the pot or gently but firmly press the soil down with your hands to help it settle.
Once the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry, wait to water your Fiddle Leaf Fig again (use your finger to test).
For about a month after repotting, avoid fertilizer because the roots have been disturbed and could become damaged. After the process, you can use a soil conditioner like Seasol to assist maintain the soil and plant robust and healthy without overpowering the plant.
After repotting, put your plant somewhere bright so it has time to acclimate. Fiddle Leafs typically dislike change, so it is best to let it acclimatize to its new container and soil at this point without making any additional modifications.
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Do fiddle leaf figs enjoy being confined by roots?
Fiddle leaf figs thrive well in the pot they were purchased in and are generally content as root-bound plants. Place it into a larger decorative container or basket and cover the plastic store-bought pot with some beautiful moss. We’ll discuss more about repotting later.
How can I determine the right time to repot my fiddle leaf fig?
For good reason, fiddle leaf figs are popular in the design world. They are a terrific modern accent in homes and businesses thanks to their enormous, architectural leaves, which create a striking statement. Despite the fig’s image as a bit of a prima donna, if you and your fig abide by a few simple rules, you and your fig can enjoy a long-lasting and fruitful relationship.
Here are some fundamental instructions for taking care of a fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). Keep in mind that if you ever need assistance troubleshooting plant concerns, feel free to stop by our store or use the hashtag #heyswansons to share your queries on social media.
SOIL
Fiddle Leaf Figs are native to the rainforest and prefer rich, porous soil. When repotting your fig, we advise using E.B. Stone Organics “Edna’s Best” Potting Soil.
You can either gently remove the plant from its pot and search for roots that develop in a thick circle or check the bottom of the container to see whether the roots are emerging from the drainage holes.
You can repot your fig into a container that is up to a few inches larger if it has outgrown its current one. Fiddle leaf figs typically require repotting every one to two years.
Another choice is to carefully cut the root ball of a huge plant and repot it in its original container with fresh potting soil. Don’t forget to only remove 20% of the root ball.
When your plant has grown as big as your home or office will allow, you have the option of trimming the roots to prevent it from getting any bigger.
LIGHT
Give your fig a strong, indirect light source. The leaves might be burned by the afternoon sun if it is too intense. If your single window is facing South or West, try relocating the plant a little bit away from the window or put a sheer curtain in front of the window to block the sun’s rays.
WATER
Consistent watering helps fiddle leaf figs stay hydrated but not drenched. Water slowly and thoroughly until water drains out of the drainage holes in the pot, let the soil dry to about 1, and then water slowly and thoroughly one more. To prevent the plant from sitting in water, make sure to dump any remaining water from your caching pot or tray.
During the spring and summer growing seasons, water slightly more than in the winter.
If figs do not receive enough water, their leaves may start to turn brown or yellow around the margins before dropping. The roots could decay if the plant is kept too moist because they won’t be able to get oxygen. Yellowing, browning, and the dropping of the lower/older leaves are indications of overwatering, which are comparable to those of underwatering.
HUMIDITY & TEMPERATURE
The warm, muggy climate of the jungle is favorable to figs. You might put a shallow tray of water near or under your plant to boost the humidity in your house or place of business. In order to prevent the plant’s roots from sitting in standing water when the tray is placed under it, fill it with stones and maintain the water level below them.
To enhance the humidity surrounding the leaves, you might also wish to mist your plant a few times per week. In the winter, a humidifier can also work wonders to boost humidity and keep your plant content.
Floppy Leaf Figs don’t like drafts or unexpected temperature fluctuations very much. The leaves may fall from exposure to air conditioning or cold drafts from windows. When evening lows do not go below 60 degrees, they are happiest.
FERTILIZER
During the growing season, fertilize your houseplants using an all-purpose fertilizer. To avoid overfertilizing, you can either follow the instructions on the packaging or halve the recommended dosage. Additionally, if you are not repotting that year, you can add an inch or two of new potting soil each year.
PESTS
A plant under stress may become more susceptible to pests. A contented plant that is misted and well-watered will be less likely to encounter pest problems!
Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites can all harm figs. Always be sure to check your plant’s foliage on a frequent basis. Depending on the pest attacking the plant, if you find insects, send us a picture or bring a sample in so we can suggest a suitable natural insecticide.
The plant’s leaves turning yellow and falling off are another sign. However, problems with irrigation could also be to blame. If you don’t see any pests on your plant, experiment with different watering schedules to see if the problem goes away.
OTHER TIPS
Those big, gorgeous leaves can be dust magnets! To keep your Fig gleaming and healthy, give it a once-over with a gentle, dry cloth.
Keep in mind to frequently rotate your plant to maintain uniform growth and avoid tilting!
Photos of your fiddle leaf figs are welcome! Show off your beauty by using the hashtag #heyswansons!
Why are the roots on my fiddle leaf fig emerging above ground?
When you keep a plant indoors, you could occasionally run into a problem you are not familiar with. When fiddle leaf fig roots protrude from the ground, this is a common problem. How would you approach resolving this problem? We have the answers for you after consulting with the gardening professionals about this.
It’s time to repot your fiddle leaf fig plant if the plant’s roots are beginning to show through the dirt. These plants are referred to as “root confined” plants since they prefer to occupy a small space in their soil pots. It’s time to re-pot your plant if you start to see that the plants and roots are encroaching on the sides of the soil pot or beginning to protrude through the top of the soil (or the bottom training holes of the pot).
Of course, there are other factors to take into account when your fiddle leaf fig’s roots are exposed. We’ll go into more depth on what to do about this in this post. We’ll also talk about a few additional typical root and potting issues. So make sure to read on!
What kind of soil is ideal for repotting a fiddle leaf fig?
In a well-lit space, the fiddle leaf fig tree creates a striking living sculpture with its tall, columnar structure and large, gangly leaves. Fiddle-leafs are a bright, eye-catching indoor plant that may be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 10 and 11.
The ficus lyrata, sometimes known as the fiddle-leaf fig, is known for being picky. It is true that fiddle-leaves suffer when the soil is either too dry or too wet, when there is either too much or too little sunlight, when the air is either too dry or too humid, and when the region is cool and drafty. But if we take care of a fiddle leaf fig plant properly, it can live for many years indoors. Fiddle leaf fig maintenance is simple and enjoyable!
Best Soil for Fiddle Leaf Figs
Your fiddle-leaf plant should be planted in a loose, humus-rich, well-drained potting medium. Use our Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil or an indoor potting mix. To increase the drainage and aeration around the roots, we advise adding one-third to one-half of a cactus potting mix, such as the one created especially by Perfect Plants for succulents and cacti, to the soil of indoor houseplants.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Watering
Carefully water your indoor fiddle leaf fig tree. Watering the violin-shaped leaves too much or too little has a similar affects, causing them to wilt and eventually drop. Water deeply with tepid water till water drains out the bottom after waiting until the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch down to approximately an inch deep.
Your fig will require less watering in the winter and more watering in the summer (perhaps once a week) (maybe once a month). Overwatering is the most frequent reason for early death in fiddle-leaf figs. You can tell when your fiddle leaf needs a drink by paying attention to it. You don’t want water at the bottom of the pot, damp feet, warm, humid temperatures, or root rot.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Light Requirements
The fiddle-leaf fig prefers filtered indirect light to direct sunlight. A fig’s leaves will scorch, become yellow, and fall off in full sun; in an overly dark location, the green leaves will shrivel and fall off. A window facing east that provides intense indirect light and is not too close to the sun so that the sun’s rays touch the leaves is the ideal location. Dropped leaves are a warning sign that something is amiss with your plant, so keep an eye on it.
Keep in mind that the amount of sunshine that enters a sunny window changes with the seasons. When the sun is higher in the sky during the summer, its direct rays do not reach as far into the room as they do in winter when it is closer to the horizon. As the indoor plant grows and leans toward the indirect light, rotate it occasionally. Our goal is to keep its symmetry. For a large houseplant, a rolling plant stand can be quite helpful.
Other Plant Requirements
To stop fungus diseases from taking root, there should be a moderate air flow surrounding the plant. A ceiling fan works wonders for this. Avoid chilly drafts from the air conditioner in the summer or from drafty windows in the winter. Cold drafts can cause leaves to drop, dry down, turn yellow, or brown with patches. If you think your plant might become cold or have leaf drop, move it.
Warm up your fig. Fiddle-leaves require a minimum temperature of about 50F during the winter. The ideal summertime temperature range is 60 to 75 F, with the cooler nighttime lows.
Because it is a native of the tropics, the fiddle-leaf fig needs a warm, humid climate, particularly in the winter when most homes have extremely dry air. In contrast to most homes, which have relative humidity levels of around 10% in the winter, fiddle-leaf figs thrive in environments between 30% and 60% RH. The ideal location for a local-use humidifier is close to the tropical plant to ensure appropriate humidity.
Regular misting of the fig’s leaves is a nice backup option. Grow numerous more indoor plants close by to increase the humidity in the area. Place the grow or container of the fig over a tray of water: In a big saucer, spread a layer of gravel, then add water until it is just below the gravel. Over the gravel, place the fig’s container. The humidity around the plant will increase when evaporation from this “humidity tray” occurs.
Best Fertilizer for Fiddle Leaf Fig
For best results, use slow-release fertilizer on fiddle leaves. Use Perfect Plants Fiddle Leaf Fig Fertilizer on your fiddle-leaf roughly every six months throughout the spring and summer growth period. Follow the label’s instructions for adding fertilizer to the current pot’s top layer of soil. It will specify how much to use for each pot size.
Fertilize not during the winter. This fertilizer is also available on Amazon Prime for no shipping fees. To maintain the flow of vital nutrients, ficus lyrata needs fiddle leaf fig plant food. A 16-5-11 NPK ratio is used.
When to Repot Fiddle Leaf Fig
Each year to three years, repot your fiddle leaf fig. We don’t want the roots to get root bound and obstruct the drainage openings in the container. Untie root systems that are confined to pots and cut off any that are overly lengthy. Repot the plant in a container that is only slightly bigger than the original after shaking out part of the old potting soil.
After carefully pruning the root ball and adding fresh potting soil, you can put your fiddle-leaf back in the same container if it has already grown to the desired size. Don’t remove more than 20% of the root ball when trimming. By trimming the roots, you can prevent the plant from growing too large. Spring is the ideal season for repotting. sturdy trunk to support the slender plant stem. The light may pull a plant in any direction, allowing it to grow. When the huge fiddle leaf fig tree is the desired height, pinch off the top of the main stem. A stronger and more tightly packed houseplant will result from this. Repotting and trimming should be done in the spring to give the fig a full growing season to recover.
Pests on Fiddle Leaf Fig Indoors
Pest insects including aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, or whiteflies occasionally affect figs. Regularly check the large leaves and young stems for signs of infection, and if any appear, spray or clean the leaves with an insecticidal soap. You can create your own bug-killing solution by mixing one quart of water with two tablespoons of a light liquid soap, such Dawn or Castile.
Wipe your fig leaves occasionally with a moist towel to keep them bright and clean. By removing the covering of dust, which can obstruct vital metabolic activities including transpiration, CO2 intake, and photosynthesis, the fig not only looks better.