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 you maintain a fiddle leaf in dim light?
A botanical miracle and tree envy For years, I coveted fiddle leaf fig trees. Fiddle leaf figs are used by all the legitimate designers and in every beautiful interior shown in Domino. They simply yell, “Oh, yes. This space is so lovely that a huge plant just stays there all the time.
I was upset because I couldn’t grow even a tiny herb. The photographs of the beautiful fiddle leaves only served to mock me. After a few years have passed, I’ve miraculously managed to keep mine alive for almost two years.
I frequently receive emails on Newton, my fiddle leaf fig tree. If you’ve read this site for even a little while, you’ve probably heard about my serial plant-killing tendencies. Not only do I have a “Black thumb, my entire stinking arm might be lethal.
I made a commitment to Newton when I brought him home. Hell or high water, whatever. The usual plant-care advice wasn’t going to cut it. I had more work to do.
My fiddle leaf fig tree needed wooing. THE DAY I BRINGED HIM HOME There is a small phenomenon that my husband affectionately refers to as the “ceramic cemetery My empty pots are stacked there, plantless and unfulfilled, under our tool shed. The moment I tried to discreetly smuggle a 3-foot tree into the house without his noticing was captured in this scene.
Hey, have you had lunch yet? (Nonchalantly attempting to divert the conversation before it really gets going.)
(As he notices the tree, he nearly gags on his coffee.) STU: Seriously? Well, you are being overly hopeful.
ME: I’m up for this! It seems that a plant is more difficult to kill the larger it is. (Lie.)
ME: Additionally, it was heavily discounted, and I couldn’t resist a good offer. (Yet another falsehood.
(Makes an offensive hand motion and whispers at the plant.) ME: Ignore what he says. Your entire life is still in front of you.
SUPERSTITION + TIPS So here’s the situation… There are a few “You may obtain trusted advice on taking care of fiddle leaf fig trees online. The majority of them will be laid out for you today based on my research and observation.
However, only “My previous attempts at growing plants have not gone well when I followed the instructions. I included a few unconventional things that I frequently perform to Newton’s care plan. Here’s my opinion on how to maintain a healthy fiddle leaf fig:
1. Pick the Right Planter – The sweet girl at the nursery warned me that buying a fiddle leaf fig a too large planter can be a deathtrap. Choose a diameter of 8 to 10 cm for tiny plants. The largest size you should use for larger plants is 12–14. – Ensure that the bottom of your pot has drainage holes. (I used a pot with holes and scattered a few rocks beneath the dirt. The planter is positioned between my floor and a clear plastic liner.)
2. Determine the Location Carefully. Sunshine is good for fiddle leaf figs, but too much direct sunlight might be harmful. Place them in a bright spot where they get at least 4 hours of sunlight each day, but keep them out of the direct sun. I put mine in a well-lit spot, but there are drapes there to block out the sun’s rays.
3. Rarely Move but Frequently Rotate – These guys want to stay at home. They tend to act out or don’t want to go off on wild adventures. You might wish to let it outside occasionally during the year, but not during a windy season. Choose a location in your house where he can remain stationary. – You should rotate the planter every few weeks because fiddle leaf fig trees tend to grow in the direction of the light. (I didn’t do a very good job of this, so Newton is a little on the heavy side. I can identify…”
4. Take Care of the Leaves – You should occasionally give the leaves a little dusting. Even a little covering of dust can prevent sunlight from being absorbed and slow the growth of the tree. After dusting, spritz the leaves with a spray bottle to hydrate them.
5. Wait to Water – Probably the most crucial piece of advice…
Avoid overwatering. Waiting until the top inch of soil is dry but you can still feel moisture one inch deep is the advised course of action. The frequency of this can vary depending on your location, pot size, and humidity. (See below for my REAL water indicator.) *WATCH: Falling leaves indicate either excessive or inadequate irrigation. Brown leaves near the ground indicate overwatering. Brown top leaves may indicate underwatering.
Give your tree some vitamins, please. I tried Superthrive Plant Vitamin Solution after hearing from a few readers that it had worked wonders for their ill FLF. If you see that your leaves are limp or sickly, mix a capful of it with some water and immediately pour it into the soil. Even during the growing season, you can add this to the soil to encourage the growth of new leaves. (Read the excellent botanist reviews on Amazon, and you’ll be convinced just like I was.)
Additionally to the “Here are my superstitious routines, which have helped my FLF.
Name your tree, first. He needs to experience belonging to the family. Additionally, if you give him a name, you’ll probably remember to treat him more like a pet than a houseplant and to give him attention.
2. Sing to the tree every day. Ellie Goulding is blasting on Pandora while other times I’m shouting out the Beatles. Both appear to appeal to Newton. Equally.
3. Vigilantly protect yourself from plant terrorists. (Also known as: little children) My daughter has no access to Newton or the neighborhood. White chairs and ceramic vases? Try it out. Come close to the plant, and I’ll take care of your tiny hiny.
4. As a final option, use water. I don’t water the plants until the top leaves start to fall just a little bit. This helps me avoid overwatering because I tend to do so. Although it is a little hazardous, this approach has been successful for me and my partner. (*Due to the size of my tree and the temperature where we reside, it only needs to be watered once a week.)
Who can say for sure what has kept him alive for almost two years (just luck? I’m not taking any chances, but a miracle?
*The tiny brown area, which appears to be a dying bud, is actually natural. At first, all fresh leaves have this appearance.
TROPICAL PLANTS IN WINTER TEMPERATURES? Many people believe that since these plants are tropical, you need to reside in a state with plenty of sunshine to have one. Well, I happen to reside in Missouri’s tundra, and my plant is still alive and well. The secret is to create the ideal circumstances inside. In the winter months, we use a humidifier for my kid, but I’m sure Newton enjoys it as well.
TREE FEAR Fearful of failing with a plant, much less a beautiful fiddle leaf tree, for the 1,000th time? I’m telling you, it’s worthwhile to take a chance. Just get one from IKEA or your neighborhood nursery! We are rooting for you, Newton and I.
PS: View my FREE guide below for information on 11 of my favorite indoor plants that ANYONE can grow.
Height
When you consider how tall fiddle leaf figs may go, one of the biggest problems with growing them becomes apparent. They can reach heights of up to 50 feet when living in their natural habitat, the West African rainforests. You should count yourself fortunate that they typically do not reach those heights outside of their natural habitats, given that you most likely do not have 50-foot-tall ceilings in all of your rooms. Even a potted plant has a 10-foot height limit. Small fiddle leaf fig plants may be purchased for under $40 at places like Home Depot! A good place to start is with these little plants.
Time
You have to put in effort if you want good results, as is true for the majority of things in life. This is also true of the fiddle leaf fig tree. It will take some time and work to make your plant into the focal point you want because it is one of the more difficult plants to grow. Plants that make fiddle leaf figs dislike:
- Frosty drafts
- too moist soil
- Arid soil
- Overly bright
- inadequate lighting
- Dry air
They are highly particular, as you can see, so you will need to spend a lot of time observing and responding to your plant to locate the sweet spot it needs. The majority of plants will tell you something is wrong by the way they look. Leaning in one direction typically means that is where the light is. Yellow leaves can be a sign of a variety of plant problems, but if you take the time to listen to your plant and provide it with the greatest environment possible, you will see the benefits.
Light
The light may be the most crucial factor in plant growth. Using carbon dioxide, water, and light to perform photosynthesis, which enables them to produce additional plant mass, is how plants develop. A plant’s growth will be stunted by insufficient light. Your plant’s leaves will burn if there is too much light. About 6 to 8 hours per day of moderately bright light are needed for fiddle leaf figs. We advise using a plant light to help your plant get adequate light if you don’t have a window big enough or live in a place where it doesn’t get continuous sunshine.
Do fig trees survive in dim conditions?
The Ficus lyrata, or fiddle-leaf fig, can withstand temperatures in offices that are average or higher while also being highly resistant of low light circumstances.
Gorgeous fiddle-leaf figs have enormous, lustrous, dark green leaves. Technically speaking, Ficus lyrata is a species of tree that can reach heights of six feet or more. They are therefore ideal for use as floor plants and in bigger offices.
Are fiddle leaf figs shade-loving?
Our dining room housed the first fiddle leaf fig tree I ever saw. The site was chosen because I believed the room’s sizable bay window would provide enough natural light. The issue was that the room faced north, which is the worst location in your house for a fiddle leaf fig tree because it needs bright, filtered sunshine for at least six hours per day. In the summer, if you’re lucky, a little late-afternoon sun may shine through north-facing windows, but that’s about it.
The second time, I made the choice to put my fiddle leaf fig tree next to our living room’s south-facing window. There, where it receives a lot of direct sunshine throughout the day, it has flourished. Some experts advise avoiding placing a fiddle leaf fig tree next to south and west-facing windows out of concern that the sunlight may scorch the leaves, but I haven’t experienced that issue at all with mine. (I’ve read that fiddle leaf figs prefer east-facing windows because they offer a lot of indirect light.)
Where should I position my fiddle leaf fig for maximum benefit?
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.
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.