Taking a fiddle leaf fig tree outside and giving it a hose-down is my preferred method of cleaning it. To get rid of all the dust and grime, you should give it a thorough soak. After that, you can leave it outside to dry for a few of hours. Just be careful not to leave it in full sunlight or leave it out overnight. The fact that soaking the root ball can help renew soil distribution and fix any issues with soil shrinking back from the container is an added plus.
Problems with this approach: It might not be able to move your plant outside safely if it is really huge or heavy. A rolling stand is useful for keeping a big fiddle leaf fig so you can move it outside. Of course, you might not have access to a hose and an outdoor space. Or perhaps the climate where you reside is too chilly for this approach to be effective.
Should the leaves of fiddle leaf figs be shiny?
Others polish their fiddle leaf fig leaves using a variety of homemade cures. Some of the more well-liked ones are mayonnaise, olive oil, and coconut oil.
Remember: Leaf shine treatments and oils have the potential to clog the pores on the leaves of your fiddle leaf fig plant, so use them sparingly. Plants can die if their pores become clogged, which stops them from breathing.
When using leaf shine solutions or home treatments to make your fiddle leaf fig tree’s leaves shine, be sure to only apply them to the upper side of the leaves and avoid putting oils on the underside of the leaf to decrease the risk to your plant.
How to get the best leaf shine for fiddle leaf figs
Fiddle leaf fig leaves in good health have a natural sheen, therefore extra preparations are not always required to maintain them shiny. To keep the leaves looking their best, simply wash them with water and mild dish soap.
To create a solution for washing your fiddle leaf fig tree’s leaves that will make the leaves shine in this manner, combine one quarter of a teaspoon of dish soap with one quart of warm water.
Following that, you may either wet the cloth and gently wipe the leaves off with it, or spray the leaves gently with the solution (this spray bottle is extremely cheap and will do the job perfectly).
I have a fiddle leaf fig. Can I use olive oil on it?
Are you all prepared for a new week? I realised this past weekend just how quickly summer flew by. Even though we were out and about every weekend for the past three months, it feels like we have accomplished nothing. I had so much on my to-do list that I wanted to get done over the summer because I was unhappy with the little progress I had made. I can at least cross off taking care of my Ms.Dee from the list. You know, I was thinking the other day that it would be nice to show our beloved Fiddle Leaf Fig some attention as well while I was splitting up some indoor plants that I hadn’t touched in 14 years. For precisely a year, it has been kept in the identical IKEA container that I purchased it in. Fortunately, it didn’t seem to stop developing as a result.
Basic Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Maintenance:
- There is a lot of ambient light.
- Water only when the soil is dry to the touch, once a week or longer.
- a warm environment (60 to 90 degrees F)
- Avoid vents, draughts, and drifts.
- When required, turn the plant to maintain it in the same position. They dislike being frequently transported.
- Repotting after a purchase should only be done when new growth is apparent.
- Repotting should only be done after the Fiddle Leaf Fig has become established and grown enough for the roots to be seen on the bottom of the container. Their roots want to be closely clustered.
- Use a container that is one or two inches larger than the root ball when you repot plants for the same reason.
- Pull the plant out slowly.
- Loosen the root ball and repot in an excellent potting mix that has been fertilised in a container that is one to two inches larger than the root ball.
If not regularly cleaned, the huge leaves of these show stoppers nearly often become massive dust collectors. I must admit that during the course of the year, I may have cleaned the leaves just once.
Yuck! According to what I’ve read so far, you can use these to clean and shine up the leaves of your indoor plants;
- a mixture made of milk and water.
- Within banana peels
- little olive oil
- Natural Mayo
- Cocoa Butter (My method)
I often use a damp towel to clean my indoor plants, but this time I put a few drops of coconut oil on a soft cotton kitchen towel. See the distinction?
I had the vague impression that the idea behind using Mayo or Olive oil was that the oil (in Mayo) naturally made the leaves shine. Both of these are heavier than coconut oil, which I always keep on hand. I reasoned, “Why not?” Actually, coconut oil has a long history with us and is something we adore. Kerala, the region of India where I was born, translates to “land of Coconuts.” Naturally, coconut and coconut oil play a major role in our cuisine. The latter is used for practically everything, including cooking, moisturising skin and hair, and even as medicine!
- Pour it into the towel with just 2 drops of the solution.
- To disperse the oil over a greater area, rub the cloth on itself before applying gentle pressure to the leaves. This makes sure that the coating of the leaf is very thin. Again, because the oil is so light, the leaf’s pores won’t become clogged.
- Keep in mind to avoid applying oil to the leaf’s underside. For the underside, water would be adequate.
Should fiddle leaf fig leaves be sprayed?
Our preferred approach for giving your violin humidity isn’t misting, but fresh leaf buds are the one exception.
The emergence of new baby leaves from their leaf sheaths can result in tearing since they are thin, sensitive, and have a tendency to stay together (see, that almost rhymes!).
New leaf buds should be misted, but only the lead buds, and not so much that the water runs off onto the surrounding leaves.
Give your new baby buds a nice sprinkling a few times each week, and if you’d like, gently dab up any surplus water with a clean, soft towel.
In a dry climate, you can still grow a healthy fiddle leaf fig. It requires a few additional tools, but it is entirely possible! Even if you reside in the middle of the desert, follow these recommendations for a beautiful, healthy tree.
First, It Is Important To Clean Leaves
To keep your plants clean, healthy, and working properly, it’s a good idea to sometimes wipe down their leaves. Indoor plants naturally accumulate dust, grime, and dander, which can obstruct the plant’s ability to absorb light. This has further effects on photosynthesis and growth of the plant. Cleaning the leaves with a natural, gentle spray might help remove particularly difficult filth while protecting the plant.
Cleaning the leaves of houseplants is also beneficial as a preventative measure to fend off potential pests and diseases before they become apparent. Damage is frequently more challenging to repair once it has been discovered. The aim is to catch problems early.
Why Manufactured Leaf Polish Isn’t Great
Most store-bought leaf polishes have the simple purpose of making the plant look better and shine more. Beautifying the foliage is encouraged on even the labels. Yes, cleaning the surface with a plant’s leaves generally works. However, the harsh oils and occasionally chemicals used to make these shines and sprays settle on the surface of the leaf. This may result in accumulation, clog the stomata (pores), and prevent respiration, which would hamper plant growth. Ultra-shiny leaves might look phoney and be harmful. Who would want a fake plant when they paid for an actual one?
How To Make Your Own Houseplant Polish
Making your own DIY leaf spray at home gives you the chance to securely clean and enhance your plants. This concoction will remove and keep out pests, hard water stains, and dirt. Additionally, as the plant’s inherent beauty is shown, your leaves will acquire a faint sheen.
DIY PLANT LEAF SHINE & CLEANER RECIPE:
- 2 glasses of water
- a half-strength vinegar
- 2 drops of castile or dish soap (Dr. Bronner’s is a favourite)
- Coconut oil, two drops (optional: if you really want that glossy look)
After combining the ingredients, you can either use a spray bottle to apply it to the leaves or just dip a cloth into the mixture. Use a soft fabric, such as microfiber, to shield the leaves from harm in either case. Use a single disposable paper towel for every plant as an alternative to reduce the danger of possibly transferring pests or diseases between plants. (Alternatively, fully wash the cloth in hot water after each use.)
Although there isn’t a particular period of time, we advise cleaning your plants every month or so. Remember that this spray only works on specific types of foliage and shouldn’t be applied to very delicate leaves, such those with a fuzzy texture (like African Violets and Cacti). Overall, caring for your houseplants properly can promote growth, longevity, and survival. Happy cleaning of the plants!
Vinegar Leaf Shiner
The vinegar’s acetic acid concentration kills hazardous germs and fungi in addition to dissolving dust, grime, and grease off leaf surfaces. Additionally, it will give your indoor plants a healthy sheen for the approaching weeks.
How to Apply:
- To remove dust, combine 4 cups of clean, filtered water with 1/4 teaspoon vinegar, 1-2 drops of dish soap, and 2 drops of coconut oil. Soak a soft microfiber cloth in the liquid.
- Alternately, you might transfer the mixture into a spray bottle and evenly cover the leaves with it. Use a clean cotton cloth to remove the dusty coating, which will leave your leaves looking shiny.
Milk & Water Leaf Shiner
Lactic acid is a substance found in milk that has long been used as a plant cleaner and works wonders on leaves. This homemade plant shine is a great recipe for any plant parent because it works well against powdery mildew and other fungal problems on your indoor plants.
- Pour 70% water into a dish or spray bottle and add 30% skim milk.
- Wipe the foliage with a clean towel dipped in the mixture. Make sure to clean the areas where mildew gathers underneath the leaves.
- To enhance the gloss and lustre of the leaves if you’re using it as a foliar spray, give them a good wipe.
- One of the best DIY leaf shiner recipes for lush, glossy indoor plants, it is!
Homemade Mineral Oil Leaf Shine
Mineral oil makes a fantastic leaf shine. The dust particles will be removed, leaving a smooth, glossy texture in their place.
- To remove the dust off leaf tips, add a couple of drops of mineral oil to a soft, damp cloth.
- Large plants with flat leaf, like ficus and pothos, benefit from it the most.
Neem Oil Leaf Shine
Neem oil is a natural medicine that has been scientifically proven to eradicate a variety of plant pests, including mildew, aphids, fungus gnats, and spider mites.
- In a spray container, combine 1 teaspoon of concentrated neem oil, 1/2 tablespoon of dish soap, and 1 gallon of water.
- It is now ready to be used as a natural mixture for leaf shine and pest infestation; simply shake it thoroughly and spritz it on a microfiber cloth.
Epsom Salt Leaf Shine
Epsom salt, which contains both magnesium and sulphate, is a great natural fertiliser that helps plants grow lush, colourful foliage and encourages photosynthesis. Additionally, you can make a DIY plant shine recipe with this magic salt for your indoor plants.
- In a spray bottle, combine 2 litres of water with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt.
- Spray the foliage after a thorough shaking. Don’t rub right away; give the vitamin a minute or two to absorb.
- Use a microfiber cloth to now remove the surplus solution from the leaf surface.
Homemade Rubbing Alcohol Leaf Shine
You can apply this additional leaf shine on your indoor plants to keep them looking as shiny as when you first acquired them from garden centres. The leaves will have a durable smooth feel thanks to the rubbing alcohol.
- In a spray bottle, combine 500 cc of water and 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol.
- Shake the solution thoroughly before spraying it on the leaves, then use a soft cloth to remove the dusty layer.
Banana Peels Leaf Shine
In addition to removing the dusty layer, this special technique will leave the foliage with a healthy gloss. Additionally, using banana peels to give leaves a sheen like never before won’t cost you anything extra.
- Rub the inner edges of a banana peel that has just been peeled on the leaves of your houseplants.
- Once they become soiled with dust and debris, replace the peels. Banana peels contain some natural oil that can be used to maintain lush, glossy leaves.
- Since it is the safest option, you can use it each time you notice a dusty layer on your indoor plants.
Mayonnaise Leaf Shine
You may give your leaves some shine by using mayonnaise. The vinegar and lime juice will remove the dust while giving the foliage a healthy sheen. Additionally, Mayo is effective at dissolving and getting rid of any accumulated gluey gunk-like sap to guarantee that the foliage is fully clean.
- Add a little lukewarm water to a tablespoon of mayonnaise to give it a runny consistency.
- Remove the filthy layer off the foliage of your houseplant by dipping a delicate cloth in water. The shine from this technique will last for a few weeks. Check out our in-depth post on using mayo to make leaves shine here!