These tropical plants LOVE light, and when they don’t get enough, they can have all kinds of health issues. Without enough light, fiddles may also become weak and lanky rather than full and robust.
However, you might be uncertain about how much illumination to provide your instrument. You probably have seen a ton of heartbreaking images of scorched fiddles that were left outside for too long. They are said to love bright, indirect sunshine all the time (and we say it a lot around here).
But what about all those lovely trees growing freely in the sunlight? What about those who vouch for direct sunlight and whose trees adore the great outdoors?
If properly acclimated, fiddles actually enjoy being in the full light. The issue is that the majority of fiddles sold as houseplants were cultivated indoors under artificial or indirect light. These trees can’t be placed directly in the sun since they will burn.
However, you may gradually adapt your fiddle to full sun, which you might be considering doing now that the weather is warming up.
If this is something you didn’t know, let’s quickly go over WHY you might want to get your fiddle leaf fig used to getting direct sunlight:
Potential Cause: Sunburn
Your plant may experience sunburn if it receives too much direct sunlight; this condition manifests as light brown blotches that may appear bleached. The dots will mostly be on the top leaves and occasionally may have a reddish-yellow colour.
How to Correct It
With pruning shears or sharp scissors, remove the scorched leaves from your plant and move it to a spot away from the sun’s direct rays.
What temperature is too hot for Fiddle Leaf Figs?
Fiddle Leaf Figs do not like temperatures beyond 85F and will cease growing at 90F and higher, despite the fact that they are native to warm, tropical climates with high temperatures.
Can I leave my Fiddle Leaf Fig outside?
If you reside in a tropical or subtropical area, you may leave them outside all year. It’s preferable to keep them inside if you live somewhere where winter lows routinely fall below 55F. They can be moved within during the winter and left outside during the spring and summer, but they dislike being relocated and may drop their leaves.
How do I know if my Fiddle Leaf Fig is healthy?
The best indicator of a tree’s health are lush leaves and new growth. A health problem is indicated by any leaves that are dropping, becoming yellow, or withering.
Is the sun on my fig tree too much?
Fig trees are well-liked as fruiting crops because of their laid-back disposition and capacity to flourish with little maintenance from you, the homeowner. The fundamental tree maintenance listed below promotes greater growth and larger fruit production, even if the trees don’t mind being partially neglected.
Sun Exposure
A location in your yard that receives full sun to partial shade is required for fig trees. Fruit trees need as much sun as they can get in order to produce the most fruit; it is advised that they receive at least 7 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Less sunlight doesn’t affect the health of fig trees, but it does result in lower fruit production.
Climate
They are common trees in the South and Western states because they do well in regions with long, hot summers and moderate winters. They can be grown as container plants indoors or in a greenhouse in colder locations.
In USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 11, fig trees are advised to be grown. If given the right protection, hardy cultivars can be cultivated outdoors in regions with colder climates and harsher winters. It is not recommended to leave plants outside all year in regions below Zone 8, instead growing them in containers that may be moved within during the winter.
Soil
Regardless of the soil’s nutrient or organic matter level, Ficus carica prefers well-draining conditions. Because sand is more common in the South and West than loams or clays, these soil types are more popular there.
Prior to planting, the soil needs to be loosened up if it is heavy or compacted. The easiest method to achieve this is to amend your with lots of organic matter, working it in to a depth of 18 to 24 inches, such as finished compost or well-rotted manure.
However, as long as the pH isn’t too low or too high, drainage is more crucial than soil pH.
Water Requirements
Trees that have just been planted need to have frequent irrigation until their root systems are well-established. To keep the soil moist, spread a layer of mulch around the tree’s base.
Trees require less water after they have grown. During the active growing season, aim to feed the tree with 1 inch of water weekly, whether from rain or planned irrigation.
Fertilizer
The nutrient requirements of fig trees are met by the soil’s organic matter, therefore they require little to no fertilizer and require little to no upkeep.
However, you may give your tree a boost by feeding it with a phosphorus- and potassium-rich fertilizer early in the growing season while following the product’s instructions. Avoid using nitrogen-rich fertilizers since they encourage the growth of lush, green foliage rather than fruit development.
If your tree appears a little scrawny, applying seaweed extract every two weeks throughout the active growing season can also be helpful.
Pruning
Fig trees require less pruning than other fruit trees, which is one of the reasons why homeowners prefer them. Usually, they keep their appearance nice on their own with little help from you. However, some thoughtful yearly trimming will keep your tree at a moderate size, making fruit harvesting simpler.
To improve the overall health of the tree, remove any dead or diseased branches before the tree becomes dormant in the fall. You can thin your tree if it has too many fruits during the growth season to encourage fewer, but larger, tastier fruits the following year.
Overwintering
Plant one of the cold-hardy fig kinds if you live somewhere where the temperature can fall to 10 degrees Fahrenheit or below. You will still need to take precautions to shield your tree from the chilly winter weather even then.
Bring indoors trees planted in containers throughout the winter. Bring the tree indoors to a cool, dry spot after letting it drop all of its leaves outside. As you want the tree to fall dormant, many people choose an adjoining garage or basement because of the colder temperatures. It can be brought back outside if nighttime lows in the spring consistently rise above 35 degrees.
Ground-grown figs are effectively protected from the winter elements by simple insulation. Using chicken wire covered in burlap, create a cage around the tree’s trunk, then stuff it with straw or dried leaves. Do not wrap the tree trunk in plastic as this could lead to overheating on hot days.
Remove the cage and insulation as the springtime temperatures start to rise. Thoroughly clean the area around the tree to reduce the danger of illness or insect problems.
Why are my fiddle leaf fig’s leaves drooping?
Make sure your fiddle leaf fig isn’t submerged in water. Water your plants on a regular basis when the top 50 to 75 percent of the soil feels dry.
You can notice limp branches or leaves that have started to crisp up if you unintentionally let the soil of your fiddle leaf fig dry up completely. A thorough soak is necessary if the soil is very dry over the entire container.
How to soak-water your plant is as follows:
- Without the saucer, put your plant in the sink or bathtub. Pour roughly 3 to 4 cups of water into your basin. Check to see if the water is warm.
- Give your plant at least 45 minutes to absorb water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot.
- After giving your plant a soak, feel the soil’s top to see if the water has gotten to the top 2-3 inches.
- Water your Fiddle Leaf gently from the top of the soil to assist hasten soil saturation if not all of it feels soaked.
- Drain the sink or tub once the soil of your plant is evenly moist, and then leave it to rest while it completely drains. Put the plant back in its proper place on the saucer.
Remember that your Fiddle Leaf Fig may become stressed and lose some leaves if the soil changes from being bone dry to saturated. Allow it time to adjust.
An climate that is humid will be ideal for your fiddle leaf fig. By regularly spraying your plant, using a pebble tray, or placing a humidifier close by, you can raise the humidity level in the area around it.
In the summer, may I leave my fiddle leaf fig outside?
Fiddles will thrive in the USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, which include a large portion of Florida, California, as well as southern Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana.
The humidity and temperature conditions are best for fiddles here, but you might still need to take some extra precautions to save your tree from the rare cold snap or dry summer.
Outdoor Temperature Tolerance
Fiddles can withstand temperatures outside of the home between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. But this is pushing it, and if other environmental conditions aren’t ideal, these extremes might lead to issues.
For instance, you’re likely to end up with some burnt leaves if your tree is in direct sunlight, 90-degree heat, and low humidity levels (but your tree might do fine in a shaded area in those temperatures).
Here are some steps you may take to shield your outdoor fiddle from those harsh weather conditions.
Winter Protection
Your fiddle can probably survive just fine outdoors over the winter without much additional protection if you are in zones 9 through 11. Only unusually frigid conditions will require your attention.
Watch the weather report closely. There are a few things you may do if temperatures are anticipated to drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
You can easily keep the plant from freezing if it is kept outside in a pot with your instrument. You might try covering your fiddle, if it’s tiny enough, if it’s rooted in the ground.
Larger trees are more resilient than smaller seedlings and are more likely to have survived previous cold events. They’ve come this far, after all! Stick to the areas of care you can control, such supplying water and nutrients when necessary, in the face of a larger tree and unusually cold weather. This will assist in providing the tree with the resources it needs to withstand momentarily challenging environmental conditions.
Moving Indoor Plant Outdoors in Summer
In the summer, some owners of fiddle leaf figs prefer to take their potted indoor specimens outside. Giving your plant a boost of light can help it develop more quickly and strengthen its defenses, among other advantages.
You should have no issues doing this if you reside in zones 9 through 11. This should be acceptable if you reside in a region with a moderate amount of humidity and where summertime highs range from 55 to 85 degrees. This is especially true if you place your fiddle in a covered space like a balcony or a patio covered by an awning.
However, if a storm or unusually warm or cold temperatures are expected, make careful to bring your fiddle back inside.
What should you do with a sun-damaged plant?
Unfortunately, your plant won’t eventually develop a tan or be able to treat its sunburn using aloe vera. “Steinkopf advises cutting off the damaged leaves or, if possible, trimming them if your plant has been burned. “They won’t recover or turn green once more.
Then relocate your plant to a less-lit place, preferring filtered light to direct sunlight.
Embrace it with your most sincere apologies before returning to proper care.
The best course of action is to promote growth going forward and absorb lessons from your errors. Just keep in mind the next time that plants too require protection from the sun and they will forgive you.
Why are the leaves on my fig leaf plant fading to brown?
Brown leaves on a fiddle leaf fig are most frequently caused by a fungal infection from the roots sitting in excessive dampness.
Root rot is brought on by excessive watering and inadequate drainage, and it spreads from the plant’s roots to its leaves. A fiddle leaf fig’s roots need to somewhat dry out between waterings for healthy growth. The fungal infection will eventually cause the leaves to slowly turn brown and then fall off.
Removing the pot and looking at the roots is the only way to be confident that your plant has root rot.
Why are my fiddle leaf fig’s leaves turning yellow?
Is your violin being picky? Some of the most striking and lovely houseplants you can own are fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata), but they can also have a number of perplexing issues. Use this brief reference to help you spot and fix the most typical problems with these lovely trees!
Yellowing Leaves
One of the most frequent issues with fiddle leaf figs is yellow, discolored leaves, which is frequently brought on by a well-intentioned caregiver who has simply overwatered the plant. Although the soil shouldn’t be continually wet or drenched in moisture, fiddles grow in a moderately damp environment. The roots may rot as a result of over watering, especially if there is inadequate drainage, which will result in dull-looking leaves.
How to Correct It
Check the pot first; clogged drainage holes or even a lack of drainage holes may be the source of the issue with your fiddle leaf fig. Give the pot extra time to dry out in between waterings if the water can escape in some way. If the soil is dry up to your second knuckle, check the soil every day with your finger and water it once more.
Other Possible Causes:
Lighting requirements for fiddles are somewhat specific; they require an abundance of bright indirect light. When a source of bright light is nearby but not directly overhead, fiddles thrive. It might be the ideal place for your fiddle if your house has a location that receives indirect light from two windows (perhaps a south-facing and east-facing, or south-facing and west-facing).
Dropping Leaves
Overwatering may have caused the yellowing of your plant’s leaves before they fell off. Your fiddle leaf fig may be suffering from severe temperatures, but, if the leaves appeared to be a typical color before dropping off the tree.
How to Fix It: Look for any vents or potential heat sources around your plant. Your plant may become stressed and lose leaves quickly if there are drafts from chilly air conditioning or too much heat. If required, relocate your fiddle to a room with steady lighting and temperatures.
Presence of Insects or Damaged Leaves
An infestation of pests is never good news, but it’s also not always the end of the world. To identify pest issues early, check your fiddle leaf fig frequently, paying careful attention to the undersides of the foliage. Act immediately if you spot any clear indications of bugs, such as webbing, tiny holes, discolored “dots,” or the insects themselves. The more quickly you address the problem, the simpler it will be!
A natural pesticide like insecticidal soap, neem oil, antiseptic, or pyrethrin spray can be used to control the majority of houseplant pests. Always follow the directions on the packaging, and reapply as needed for a few weeks to make sure your unwanted guests are completely gone.
White or Tan Patches
Your plant has a sunburn, oh no! When maintained in direct sunlight, fiddle leaf figs frequently have this issue. (It’s a shame that SPF isn’t available for houseplants!)
To disperse the strength of the rays, consider moving the plant to a position with less direct light or covering the light source with a sheer drape. You might choose to remove the worst-damaged leaves for aesthetic reasons as they won’t grow back.
Black or Brown Spots on Leaves
Even though the source of various illnesses may differ, the symptoms and the associated treatments may be the same. Fiddle leaf fig infections can be quite challenging to treat, but it’s worth a shot.
Lack of moisture may be to blame for browning if the leaves are dry and crisp. Make sure you’re watering your plant properly and that the area around it is relatively humid.
Too much fertilizer application can harm or discolor foliage and burn roots. To flush your plant, water it completely. In the future, fertilizer must always be used after watering.
Do you have a fiddle leaf fig issue that isn’t covered on this list? Visit our garden center in Newport Beach and don’t forget to snap lots of pictures. You may get specialized guidance from our indoor plant experts to help you heal your violin!