The fiddle leaf fig tree really cemented its position as a mainstay of interior design several years ago. If you don’t believe me, simply quickly go through any interior design Instagram account or Pinterest, and I can almost assure you won’t miss this stunning plant. Personally, I’ve been cultivating them in my house for many years. I had a sizable one in my Beverly Hills condo’s living room, numerous others dotted around my old Palisades property, and I now also enjoy them in my present Laguna Beach home. The longest one I’ve ever had, I must say, lasted for approximately eight years! Which means I’ve been able to care for these picky indoor plants for a lot longer than I anticipated. Even though I’d like to think that I have the famous “green thumb,” the truth is that I only stick to a few guidelines that I’ve learned over the years to keep my trees growing and their leaves sporting a vibrant shade of green.
I’d want to impart some of those knowledge on how to grow a beautiful and robust fiddle leaf fig tree today. I’ve asked Mackenna Rowley of Piep Co, owner of a plant store and proponent of the green thumb, to share her knowledge with us. Many of her suggestions are ones I’ve used for years, but there are also some excellent success hints in here. What you should know before planting a fiddle leaf fig tree is as follows:
1. Make sure it gets enough water. When watering this plant, Mackenna advises remembering the following maxim: It’s better to submerge than overwater! She strongly advises bottom watering your violin and advises letting the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out between waterings. “According to Mackenna, a common issue with our customers is that they tend to water their larger plants from above when they notice that they are beginning to grow brown and dry. “But doing so never actually completely drenches the potting soil. Then they keep watering the plant more and more, which causes it to be generally underwatered and to occasionally develop root rot. Potting mix has a little hydrophobic quality, so when you water from above, it’s simple for the water to just flow down the path of least resistance and not actually fully saturate the root ball—especially with larger plants in big pots. You should always water your potting mix well, so Mackenna suggests soaking your fiddle overnight in a tub filled with water that comes halfway up the pot. This will let the potting mix to completely absorb the water. In addition, it receives a welcome boost in humidity this way. Crispy, dry leaves are typically the result of underwatering and insufficient humidity, whereas soft, yellow leaves are typically the result of overwatering.
2. Bring clarity. When deciding where location to place your tree, it can seem natural to only take décor and aesthetics into account. However, there are many more factors to take into account before placing your tree. I’ve learned that my trees thrive with a lot of direct, strong light. You should keep it out of any direct light until it’s a reasonably mature tree, which takes a decade or more, according to Mackenna. Therefore, if you believe that giving your tree a little sunbath on your balcony or patio will benefit it, reconsider. Until it is old enough, at least. When the leaves are exposed to direct light, they may become dry and brown. I advise putting yours close to a window that lets in lots of gentle, indirect light. Also, consider the direction that the light is coming from: windows facing north will receive the least sunlight, windows facing east will receive morning sunlight but not enough throughout the day, and windows facing west will receive strong afternoon sunlight that could burn the leaves and dry out the plant. The greatest windows are those that face south since they will receive just the right amount of light without getting too much. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that your instrument will incline toward the light, so if symmetry is what you’re after, make sure to spin it frequently.
3. Take into account the pot and potting soil. You should use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix for your plants. Additionally, you should check that the bottom of your pot has sufficient drainage. Because the FLF is prone to root rot, you must ensure that it can drain after watering. Furthermore, a pot lacking drainage holes cannot be bottom-watered! The advice of Mackenna is to place your tree in a slightly larger decorative pot or basket while still in its original plastic growing container (I love using these from The Little Market). Growing plants always need enough drainage, so it makes it much easier to transport when you’re dragging it off to the tub. Additionally, you can still use a decorative pot if it doesn’t have drainage holes and you don’t want to drill them yourself.
4. Watch out for wind. Mackenna advises keeping FLF away from frequently opened doors or windows, heating or cooling vents, fireplaces, or other draft-prone areas because FLF are relatively susceptible to them. Keep in mind that FLF prefer some humidity, which is diminished by drafts.
5. Show it off in style! I like the fiddle best in a plain pot or tucked within a woven basket because it is such an eye-catching, sculptural plant. Why detract from those enormous, magnificent leaves? Because the pots need to be pretty large, Mackenna advises choosing only one color or pattern rather than both if you want to make your pot stand out a little more. Unless, of course, you like it that way in which case, go for it!
6. Maintain it. Cleaning the leaves frequently is one of my best recommendations. Your plant will develop large, dust-collecting leaves as it grows, which can actually stunt growth because it blocks sunlight. When cleaning the leaves, Mackenna advises applying a little coconut oil because it also adds shine (a tip I had never heard of but adore and am eager to try myself!). But make sure you only apply it to the leaf’s tops. Susing it on the bottom may cause the plant’s stomata to become blocked, preventing it from breathing.
So there you have it! I want to thank Mackenna once more for these useful information. I’m curious to know now…
How frequently should fiddle leaf figs be bottom watered?
I had been following advice I had heard all over. I was told that one cup of water should be consumed on average once a week. That’s what I did. Although I wasn’t seeing a lot of growth, my small plant (the one from Home Depot) was thriving just fine.
The local nursery where I later purchased my Fiddle Leaf Fig was attempting to get rid of them. The 5 ft. fig cost me, I believe, $50, which is a great deal. Anyway, I was speaking with the store’s proprietor when he suggested giving the fig trees showers. I had never heard of that before, but ever since then, I’ve been using it!
Disclaimer: Last year, I shared this on my Instagram stories and received a lot of positive and negative feedback. The fact that I live in a region with plenty of water and that we have a well makes me feel as though this is a good use of my water. However, I completely understand if you do feel that way.
How to Water a Fiddle Leaf Fig
- lukewarm water should be added to the bathroom.
- Place your actual fiddle leaf fig tree in the bathtub, keeping the container it arrived in.
- Fiddle leaf fig pot should be held submerged in water until all air bubbles have dissipated (30-45 seconds)
- After draining the tub, leave the fiddle leaf figs inside to dry.
Now is not the time to attempt to clean the tub. If you do, you will merely create a mess and spread muck and soil. Once the tub has dried, simply sweep it up with a broom.
After finishing that, I quickly clean the tub, although after the dirt is swept up, it’s not actually that unclean.
If you utilize this method and like it, make sure to water all of your other plants with the water in the tub as well. I’ll just use today as my watering day because I have so many plants, and it works perfectly.
How should a fiddle leaf fig be watered?
Overwatering or failing to provide adequate drainage are the two most common ways to destroy a fiddle leaf fig. About once every 10 days or once a week, water your plant. As we just discussed, FLFs are accustomed to receiving a massive amount of water with intermittent dry spells because they are native to a rainforest-like habitat. Therefore, it’s recommended to water indoor plants until the soil is barely dripping before letting the soil dry fully in between applications.
There are two ways to accomplish this. Bring the plant inside after watering it and letting it drip for an hour or two outside or in the bathtub. Place your FLF on a plant stand above a drip tray if you don’t want to carry it back and forth to be watered. Make sure the roots don’t spend a long period sitting in extra water, whichever method you pick.
Watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig
Overwatering or failing to provide adequate drainage are the two most common ways to destroy a fiddle leaf fig. About once every 10 days or once a week, water your plant. As we just discussed, FLFs are accustomed to receiving a massive amount of water with intermittent dry spells because they are native to a rainforest-like habitat. Therefore, it’s recommended to water indoor plants until the soil is barely dripping before letting the soil dry fully in between applications. There are two ways to accomplish this. Bring the plant inside after watering it and letting it drip for an hour or two outside or in the bathtub. Place your FLF on a plant stand above a drip tray if you don’t want to carry it back and forth to be watered. Make sure the roots don’t spend a long period sitting in extra water, whichever method you pick.
Not sure of the next time to water? Simply press your finger into the soil’s top 2 inches. If it’s still wet, don’t touch it. Don’t believe in yourself? Purchase a cheap soil moisture meter, and water when it indicates that the soil is practically dry.
Having trouble deciding when to water your fiddle leaf fig? Simply press your finger into the soil’s top 2 inches. If it’s still wet, don’t touch it. Don’t believe in yourself? Purchase a cheap soil moisture meter, and water when it indicates that the soil is practically dry.
A fiddle leaf fig should be watered either from the top or bottom.
Since it depends on individual desire, there isn’t a clear-cut solution to this query. Some fiddle leaf fig growers struggle with bottom watering due to salt buildup or the difficulty of fertilizing, while others adore it since they tend to overwater when they water from the top.
You might benefit from bottom watering if you have a tendency to overwater your fiddle. To remove extra fertilizer salts, you should water from the top once or twice a month. You should also ADD liquid fertilizer, such as Fiddle Leaf Fig Food.
I advise sticking with traditional top watering if your violin is developing, experiencing nutrient deficit, or if you have a solid grip on top watering and haven’t experienced issues with root rot. Fiddles prefer consistency, so don’t fix it if it’s not broken. And if your instrument need nutrients, use the method that enables fertilization.
Try these articles if you’re still trying to figure out how to hydrate your fiddle properly!
The ideal moisture level for a fiddle leaf fig?
Do Not Over Water is the first Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree ownership rule. They don’t require watering every few days like most plants do. In actuality, you ought to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Your fiddle leaf may even go up to ten days without needing water, according to The Urban Sprout.
Before adding further water, the top few inches of the soil in the pot should be dry.
Put your finger one to two inches into the soil to measure the moisture content. It is too soon to give your plant more water if it feels damp or moist. To the touch, it ought to feel dry.
A moisture meter can be purchased if you want to get fancy. Simply insert it into the soil, and it will show you how much moisture is present. While a moisture meter is by no means necessary, it helps increase your confidence when deciding whether or not to water your Fiddle Leaf.
So how much water should you give your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree?
These plants are accustomed to the intense rainfall and extended dry spells seen in the rain forests of Africa. Therefore, you must give your plant a deep watering when you do water it.
After some time, the state of the plant’s leaves will indicate whether you are watering it enough or too much. Here are some examples of fiddle leaf fig tree leaves in good health.
Signs of Too Much Water
- beginning at the plant’s base, the leaves are beginning to turn a yellowish-brown color.
- patches growing in the middle of the leaf that are brown or black.
- leaves shedding
- Root rot is indicated by a musty smell coming from the roots and the soil.
Signs of Not Enough Water
- On the leaf edges, brown or dark patches appear.
- Brown patches can be found on the plant’s leaves all around, not only near the bottom.
Here is a picture of a leaf from one of our plants during a dry spell.
Do figs enjoy moist ground?
First of all, I want to express my gratitude to the wonderful readers who have been so kind as to write insightful comments about my earlier articles on pomegranate fruit and customized landscape stepping stones.
Let me introduce you to a fruit that grows well in this area, is fairly winter-tender, and is a personal favorite of mine: the fig. This fruit is produced by a little tree that can be kept at a modest height by occasional light trimming. Beware: Excessive pruning might send a plant into vegetative state, and vegetative plants cannot bear fruit. I first encountered this fruit when I was a young child in northeast Texas during the 1970s. The kind that grew at our house was probably “Texas Everbearing,” which blooms from late May to August and yields large, less than 2-inch-diameter fruit. You may make “to-die-for” preserves out of the fruit. The type of fig we raised in Texarkana had closed eyes, which are less susceptible to disease than open-eye varieties. The male and female flowering components of the fig are inside the fruit because of its inverted bloom. Small insects must enter through the “eye” aperture at the base of the fruit opposite the stem end fruit in order for the flower to be pollinated.
This plant does not fare well in heavy, poorly draining soils since it dislikes having its feet wet. Consider some form of irrigation as supplemental moisture for fig trees during the growing season. Bark mulching is a great way to keep moisture in the soil. There is no need for high nitrogen fertility.
Each year, very little, if any, pruning is required. If grown in a container, fig trees can be planted virtually all year long. In the dormant season, the bare-rooted stock plants are planted (January and February).
I’ll recommend some of the following:
- Small, sweet, brown to purple fruit, strong cold tolerance, and the closed eye are all characteristics of “Celeste.”
- The medium to large reddish-brown fruit of “Brown Turkey” might crack during a wet growing season.
By exposing a branch to moist soil until it starts to form roots throughout the growing season, fig plants can be easily propagated. “Air-laying” is the name of this asexual reproduction technique. To anchor the branch to the ground, place a large weight (such as a brick) on it. Keep the ground moist beneath the limb. Normally, this is carried out between February and June. The limb from the parent plant may be removed and transferred after roots begin to form.