How simple are fiddle-leaf figs to maintain? Although fiddle-leaf figs may require special care, they can easily flourish in the right environment. They require warmth, humidity, a ton of direct light, brilliant indirect light, and a lot of water. Despite the fact that they enjoy water, avoid overwatering.
Is it difficult to maintain a fiddle leaf fig?
placing a fiddle leaf fig tree in a large, contemporary container. Garden tools, dirt, and a container of Ficus lyrata on a hardwood floor. New house tree planting procedure
Fiddle Leaf Fig 10106:21
The fiddle leaf fig, which has been a popular houseplant recently, adds a stunning architectural element to any room in the house. Although this lush plant is beautiful and has shiny, violin-shaped leaves, it can be challenging to maintain. But don’t worry—we have advice to maintain it flourishing in your area.
The good news is that the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), if acclimated, can grow to be at least 6 feet tall, making it an impressive statement piece. If you want a different look, there are also various cultivars of the plant, such “Suncoast” and “Compacta,” that don’t grow as tall and are bushier.
So, before taking one of these not-so-cheap houseplants home, read our in-depth care instructions and essential information if you want to get the most out of your investment for years to come.
Which location is best for my fiddle leaf fig?
The Ficus lyrata, commonly known as the Fiddle Leaf Fig, is featured on the covers and in images of numerous design journals. Its tall stature and large, graceful leaves add drama and height and unify entire rooms. Despite where you’ve seen Fiddle Leaf Figs in pictures, some individuals don’t aware that they need to be placed just in front of a window. They can be challenging to care for until the plant adjusts to your environment and until you figure out when to water them. Continue reading to discover how to keep your fiddle leaf fig alive and healthy for many years to come.
Light
The best setting for Fiddle Leaf Figs is in front of a window that gets direct morning or afternoon light. The ideal window to choose has a primarily unobstructed eastern, western, or southern exposure. You don’t want the window to be shaded by nearby trees or buildings. If your Fiddle Leaf is positioned right in front of the window, a north facing exposure can also work if there is enough room and nothing blocking your view of the sky. You should gradually adapt your tree to being in several hours of direct sunshine if you plan to set it in front of a southern exposure. The leaves could burn and develop brown scorch scars if they receive too much direct sunshine too rapidly. Over the course of 1 to 2 weeks, gradually increase the amount of time it spends in front of a southern window.
The amount of light your Fiddle Leaf Fig need to thrive depends in part on its size. The amount of light a plant needs will increase with its size. For instance, a window would need to be much taller to accommodate a 7′ tall tree than it would a 4′ tall tree.
In general, your fiddle leaf fig will require more light to preserve its existing leaves and spur the growth of new ones the more leaves it has. In order to tell us that it isn’t getting enough light to support all of its leaves, a plant will respond when it isn’t getting enough light by losing lower and interior leaves.
It’s crucial to maintain your plant in front of the window during the winter months when natural light isn’t as abundant but also ensuring sure it doesn’t catch any chilly air from drafts that blow in. If your windows are drafty, try moving your Fiddle Leaf 2 to 3 feet away from the window to observe how it reacts. In most cases, keeping plants at this distance allows them to avoid any sporadic cold air blasts while yet receiving an equivalent quantity of light. For more advice on winter maintenance, keep reading.
How much sun is required by a fiddle leaf fig?
The fiddle-leaf fig will not withstand situations with both low light and high light, in contrast to other plants (looking at you, monsteras!). It must be placed in an area with lots of bright, indirect light. Furthermore, it requires a few hours of direct sunlight each day.
“Lighting is the first and most crucial factor you should take into account before purchasing a fiddle. Little did I know that by placing my fiddle in a room with a north-facing window when I first took it home, I was sort of setting myself up for failure “Greene explains. “Fiddle-leaf figs like lots of light, and they frequently need up to five hours of direct light each day,” says the author. It thrives “near to south- or west-facing windows, or directly in an east-facing window,” according to Greenery Unlimited, and nothing can be anything blocking that light (like a building or trees). Additionally, because it grows toward the sun, you must rotate it once a month.
In addition to these lighting requirements, you also need to gradually introduce sunshine; you cannot expose it to too much sunlight at once. Otherwise, the lovely green leaves of the fiddle-leaf fig can burn and get brown spots. On the other side, too little sunlight will cause its leaves to become brown or yellow, or even worse, fall off. It also hates being moved around a lot since it could lose its leaves. Most likely out of spite. Even if your plant sustains some combat wounds in the process, you’ll finally locate the best location for it, even if it takes some trial and error.
“Adding a grow lamp ($23) is one of the things you can do to supplement that light if you already have a fiddle-leaf fig but feel like it’s not getting enough,” advises Greene. They’re fantastic since you can automatically control how much light it receives each day, especially if they include a timer.
How can a fiddle leaf fig be kept alive indoors?
Secret No. 6: Avoid letting a sick fiddle-leaf fig tree fully dry up. Make sure any extra water drains out the bottom of the pot when watering it once or twice per week. (I water mine in the shower and keep it there for a couple of hours so the pot can drain, then I put it back on the plant saucer.)
Secret No. 7: Even if the container is so tight that roots are visible at the surface, wait to transplant it until you notice fresh growth.
In conclusion, letting your fiddle-leaf fig tree heal slowly on its own is the greatest thing you can do to ensure its survival. Give it filtered sunlight, water once a week, and warm environments (a room temperature between 60 and 90 degrees would do). Furthermore, if there is even a remote chance that the temperature may drop below freezing overnight, don’t leave it outside.
Are you also attempting to preserve your fiddle-leaf fig? The Fig and I: 10 Tips for Caring for a Fiddle-Leaf Fig has more advice. Visit Fiddle-Leaf Fig Trees: A Field Guide in our selected plant guide for Tropicals 101 for additional growing, maintenance, and design advice.
Finally, consult our Creeping Fig: A Field Guide for additional guidance on how to effectively plant, nurture, and maintain a creeping fig.
Get additional tips on planting, growing, and caring for fiddle-leaf fig trees by reading our Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree: A Field Guide.
Finally, use our Houseplants: A Field Guide to learn more about how to grow and care for different houseplants.
Are you looking for additional tropical plants for your indoor or outdoor space? With the help of Tropical Plants: A Field Guide, you can learn more about how to cultivate and care for different tropical plants.
Finally, consult our Vines & Climbers: A Field Guide for more guidance on how to cultivate and maintain a variety of vines and climbers.
How long do fiddle leaf figs in containers live?
A tropical tree with fiddle-shaped leaves, the ficus lyrata is a native of the lowland rainforests of West Africa. It has a lifespan of 25 to 50 years (if cared for properly in non-tropical conditions).
What makes it so well-liked in the design community? Most people give the tree’s large, floppy spherical leaves, which resemble violins, credit. People anthropomorphize the plant by comparing these to babies’ huge eyes in an effort to make them desire to care for it.
Of course, the majority of designers would also mention how photogenic the plant is, which undoubtedly helps.
How often should fiddle leaf figs be watered?
The best thing you can do for your plant’s health is to water regularly and never let it become so dry that the soil starts to shrink and peel away from the pot’s sides.
The next time you water, the water runs down the edges of the pot and between the soil and the pot, not really reaching the roots of your plant. Soil shrinking is a huge concern. Your plant may perish as a result of the vicious cycle of inconsistent watering, which alternates between over- and under-watering.
The good news is that your fiddle leaf fig plant only needs to be watered once per week, which is a failsafe method for watering it just the proper quantity.
Your plant will become accustomed to the environment and thrive if you maintain your once-weekly routine. The benefit of watering your plant once a week is that you’ll have the assurance that you’re not overwatering or underwatering it. You are no longer required to worry or second-guess yourself!
Ensure that your plant is potted correctly and that each watering thoroughly drains the pot. Before watering, ensure that the bottom of the pot is dry by sticking a wooden skewer there. (A moisture meter is quite useful in this situation!) If the soil is still wet a week after your last watering, your drainage has to be improved immediately. (Your plant may require repotting.)
How To Water Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Properly (To Avoid Root Rot) | Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Information
What is the price of a fiddle leaf fig?
A fully mature fiddle leaf fig plant may cost around $200. However, you may obtain one for about $20 if you purchase a young plant.
Generally, the best approach to ensure that you are obtaining a healthy plant is to buy locally and in person. Fiddle leaf figs, once they reach maturity, can survive for up to 50 years. Therefore, if you can afford it, it is advisable to choose a healthy plant or a plant with a warranty.
Given the wide variations, cost should be taken into account when purchasing a fiddle leaf fig tree.
How To Get A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree On A Budget
You can purchase a young plant if you wish to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. A young plant can be purchased for significantly less money even though it will take longer to reach maturity. Young plants will need a little more time and care, but you will be able to enjoy them for a longer period of time.
You might also ask a friend who has a fiddle leaf fig tree to start some seeds for you. Even though fiddle leaf figs are famously difficult to grow, it is the most affordable approach to produce a strong plant.
Check out Facebook or regional plant groups as well. Even if no one gives a free fiddle leaf fig tree, the plants given are typically more affordable and suited to your location.
Additionally, fiddle leaf fig trees do not require fertilization to survive, so you do not need to be concerned if your budget is limited. And although while they appreciate being slightly rootbound, if you are not fertilizing, you might want to think about aerating your plant once or twice a year.
Do fig trees make a mess?
- A word of caution: If fig trees are not properly cared for and pruned, they can become rather messy. Some trees have aggressive suckers that grow from the base and need to be cut back frequently to avoid bushy development and energy drain.
- If done before the dormant season, pruning causes figs to bleed a latex sap.
- Trees may grow larger than anticipated and occupy more area if they aren’t pruned.
- By cutting off entire branches to their bases, you can reduce undesired density.
- All types can be pruned to three nodes on each branch to maintain a manageable height. The location where a leaf is or was attached is known as a node. On twigs that are fresh or one year old, figs grow.
What draws people to fiddle leaf figs?
That, however, does not explain why these plants are so well-liked. According to a New York Times article by Steven Kurutz, the rise of social media (which is crucial for interior designers; psst, follow us on Instagram) has simply increased the public’s awareness of these plants because they are now featured in virtually every major design blog and Instagram account.
Simply simple, they make good photos. And if you stop to think about it, you’ve probably seen fiddle-leaf figs much more frequently online or in magazine spreads than you have in actual residences. This is due to the fiddle-leaf figs’ particular attractiveness as well as the fact that they require a lot of maintenance.
My fiddle leaf can I put outside?
If you reside in a sunny place or want to move your houseplant outside, fiddle-leaf fig plants can thrive there. It takes time to transition your indoor fiddle-leaf fig plant into an outside garden.
- The fiddle-leaf fig should first be moved into a new pot, and the soil should be refreshed.
- Start by leaving it out on the patio or porch during the day for a week. To get the plant used to outdoor conditions and avoid damaging it from the afternoon sun, bring it inside in the early evening.
- Finally, keep it away from wind and direct sunshine by positioning it in shaded places with bright, indirect light. The plant benefits from morning filtered light.
- Every two to three days, water the fiddle-leaf fig because of outside environmental variables.