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.
How quickly does Ficus lyrata expand?
Ficus lyrata trees can grow up to 12 to 18 inches annually, or roughly 1 inch every month.
However, depending on a few variables, this growth rate fluctuates considerably. Fiddle leaf figs grow far more slowly indoors, as many homeowners have discovered. They might barely grow 2-4 inches a year.
The natural habitat of these plants is a tropical one. They are now often used as indoor houseplants due to their enormous, magnificent foliage. Taking children out of their ideal habitat has a big impact on how they develop.
A Ficus lyrata Bush can grow to be how big?
Ficus lyrata is one of our most popular plants at Flora Grubb Gardens, our nursery in San Francisco, and we almost always have it in stock. Come get yours right now! Continue reading for advice on how to grow and take care of these plants.
The fiddle-leaf fig, or Ficus lyrata, is the ideal interior specimen plant. The plant has erect, violin-shaped leaves that are enormous, densely veined, and tall. Our retail plant shop in San Francisco almost always has Ficus lyrata on hand.
These plants are indigenous to the tropics, where they flourish in hot, muggy weather. As a result, the home grower may find it difficult to replicate these steamy circumstances, making them a little more difficult. Fortunately, they are rather resilient plants that can endure less-than-ideal conditions for a fair amount of time. Last but not least, F. lyrata are really produced as larger specimen plants. If you can place them in a floor-standing planter that will allow the plant to grow to at least 6 feet, that would be ideal. In tropical settings, trees frequently reach heights of 40 feet or more. These are not naturally trimmed down to reasonable sizes due to their enormous leaves, though they can be shaped with light trimming.
Ficus lyrata plants don’t require much maintenance. Spotting on the leaves, which is particularly obvious in a plant with such huge leaves, is one of the most prevalent complaints about these plants. This spotting is typically brought on by a leaf injury, such as mechanical harm or a mite infestation. When exposed to air, the sap of Ficus lyrata can produce these brown patches. The plants are also vulnerable to a number of leaf-spotting and fungus diseases, which are often brought on by poor air circulation and an excessive amount of moisture that collects on the leaves. By keeping the plant well-trimmed and eliminating any dead leaves or twigs that you spot, you can assist stop this form of attack.
However, if your plant is dropping leaves, it’s probably due to inadequate moisture at the roots, low humidity, and cold, dry air. To raise the surrounding humidity, try spraying the plant frequently. Finally, because these plants are particularly sensitive to high salt concentrations, flush your potting soil completely on a regular basis, preferably once a month, to avoid salt buildup.
Pests include aphids, mealybugs, mites, scale, and whiteflies can harm Ficus lyrata. If at all feasible, locate the infestation as soon as you can and use the least hazardous remedy.
Repotting: Healthy specimens have vigorous, quickly developing roots (which is pretty typical for any ficus). Try to repot the plant once a year, increasing the pot size by two to four until the plant is the required size or you can no longer handle the container. After placing plants in large containers, remove the top few inches of soil and replace it once a year with new potting soil.
Advice: Avoid often turning or moving this plant. The plant should be placed permanently, and to keep it clean, use an old T-shirt to dust it. As necessary, stake and prune. Only leaves facing the light will remain on Ficus lyrata; ones facing a darker wall or corner will wither away. If you move or reposition your ficus, be prepared for leaf loss.
Ficus lyrata need strong, filtered light. Even a little sun won’t kill them, especially if they’re in an eastern-facing window. When housed in a too-dark environment, plants won’t develop quickly.
Water: Keep it moist, but don’t let it stand in water because that will cause it to lose leaves and develop root rot.
Fertilizer: For plants that are not in ideal conditions or are recuperating from stress, apply Maxsea All Purpose Fertilizer seasonally and up to monthly.
How large may a fiddle-leaf fig tree grow?
Fiddle-leaf figs instantly create a jungle-like atmosphere in any room with their enormous, wavy, green leaves that can reach a length of more than a foot. This lush, sculptural tropical plant can reach heights of up to 50 feet in the rainforest where it lives. It may be kept for many years indoors and grows extremely slowly, eventually reaching the ceiling.
However, even if you have the room to grow one, a fiddle-leaf fig tree can be difficult to maintain over time. This cold-sensitive native of the rainforest has a well-deserved reputation for being picky, and it requires the ideal circumstances to flourish indoors. It might not be the best indoor plant for those who live in apartments or have little experience with gardening, but those who are prepared to give it the extra care it needs will be rewarded.
Are fiddle leaf figs fond of little pots?
Select a larger pot to replant your Fiddle Leaf Fig in if it is root-bound. It’s ideal to select a pot that is just a few inches wider than the one it is currently in.
This is due to two factors. First of all, fiddle leaf figs prefer their pots to be small. And secondly, these plants frequently expend their energy filling out a much larger pot if they are given one. In other words, the plant will prioritize developing its root system before producing new leaves!
This may be the cause of your Fiddle’s failure to develop if it is in a pot that is too big.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you must use a pot with drainage holes at the bottom. Your Fiddle Leaf is vulnerable to a variety of harmful situations, such as overwatering and root rot, without sufficient drainage. Check to see whether your FLF is being overwatered here.
If you want to plant your Fiddle Leaf in a decorative pot that doesn’t have drainage holes, make sure you first plant it in a pot with drainage holes before putting that pot inside the decorative one.
How long is the lifespan of a fiddle leaf fig?
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.
The size of fiddle-leaf fig leaves increases.
Therefore, it is extremely frustrating when something interferes with the desired aesthetic.
The top of the plant produces new fiddle leaf fig leaves, which should enlarge to the same size as or surpass those of the leaves below them. This helps create the lovely lollipop tree shape that so many of us adore and aim for.
This is annoying because, well, the tree ends up looking asymmetrical and bottom-heavy, which you might not like. Additionally, it’s a sign that your tree is in need of something.
The challenge with leaf growth is that it consumes a lot of the plant’s resources and energy. A scarcity of resources, like as nutrition, light, or water, is indicated by smaller leaves (aka fertilizer).
One of the three requirements must be met if the new leaves aren’t developing sufficiently.
Why should I Wiggle my Fiddle leaf fig?
Your indoor tree’s trunk can be moved to simulate wind, which will help you become more resilient outside. You can also leave your tree outside for extended periods of time to strengthen its trunk and expose it to the elements. Once you get the leaves inside, be sure to inspect them for bugs.
What are the best growing conditions for an indoor fiddle leaf fig tree?
Know that your fiddle leaf fig tree prefers moderate temperature changes and place it in a sunny spot within the house. The tree should be planted in a container with well-draining soil that is kept humid but not soggy since this might cause root rot.
Why isn’t my fiddle leaf fig tree flowering?
You should be careful not to overwater your fiddle leaf fig because it is prone to root rot. When storing the fig within a container, make sure the bottom has lots of holes to allow for proper drainage.
How do I fix a leggy fiddle leaf fig tree?
Give a leggy or tilted fiddle leaf fig tree bright, filtered sunshine as treatment. Please place your plant in the area of the house that gets the most indirect sunlight, which is usually six to eight hours per day. Don’t keep it in the Sun for too long, though; doing so could scorch the leaves.
Will wiggling my fiddle leaf fig tree weaken its roots?
Every one to two weeks, wiggle your fiddle leaf fig tree for 1.5 to 2 minutes to significantly thicken the trunk. Beginning with light shaking, progressively build up the force. If your plant is stake-supported, move it about at first with the support in place. You can take the stake out once your fig tree has gotten used to this practice.
Is the fiddle-leaf fig the same as Ficus lyrata?
The evergreen tropical tree species known as Ficus lyrata, sometimes known as the fiddle leaf fig, is indigenous to the tropical lowlands of western Africa. It is a member of the Moraceae family, which includes fig and mulberry plants, and gets its common name from its enormous, elongated fiddle-shaped green leaves. The Fiddles and other members of its family are notable for having alternately oriented leaves that display foliar polymorphisms (encompassing trees, shrubs, and lianas). In plainer language, this indicates that the forms of the leaves might vary depending on the stage of life. In reality, the majority of other plants’ leaves maintain the same forms over their whole lives.
Floppy Leaf Fig trees can be challenging to maintain: They are temperamental and highly susceptible to environmental factors, especially the cold, like the majority of figs. Because of its lush and bushy appearance, this plant has earned its reputation as the “it” plant of the design world. However, with a few simple tips, you may care for it successfully.
How much sunlight does a Fiddle Leaf Fig need?
From Sierra Leone to Cameroon, where this plant originally came from, the lowland climate is hot and humid, with frequent but light rain and drying sun. By putting your Fiddle in bright indirect light with sporadic full sun exposure, you may mimic these conditions. Put it in a window, rather than next to or a few feet from one, for example.
Keep in mind that the Fiddle uses the energy from the sun to fuel its cells, just like any other plant. Its leaves, which are much larger than those of most other plants, will require more sunshine than you would generally give a plant. Drooping leaves are a clue that it needs more light if you are unclear whether you are giving it enough.
How often should you water a Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Watering should be done every one to two weeks, depending on the light and temperature in your house or office. Consider yourself to be the rain and the sun for your plant. Be a downpour when the soil is dry and water with 1/4–3/5 of the pot’s volume to soak the soil just enough before allowing it to dry out. Be like the sun when something is wet and wait for it to dry. In brighter light, water more frequently, and in less-bright light, less frequently.
Overwatering is indicated by yellow leaves and damp potting soil, and a need for additional water is indicated by crispy, curling leaves.
Do Fiddle Leaf Figs need humidity?
Although a normal level of room humidity is adequate, the Fiddle Leaf Fig will benefit from higher humidity; in fact, leaf crispness may indicate that more humidity (as well as more regular waterings) is required.
How big does a Fiddle Leaf Fig get?
In the open, this plant will eventually grow to a height of roughly 30 feet (10 meters) with a spread of roughly 10 feet (3.2 meters). It will be smaller as a houseplant and reach a maximum height of about six feet (1.8 meters).
Are Fiddle Leaf Figs easy to care for?
Although fiddles require a lot of attention, as we’ve mentioned above, they aren’t any more difficult to care for than many other plants. Leaf drop is always a possibility because they require strong sunlight, humidity, stable temperatures, and little to no drafts. Additionally, compared to other plants, fiddles are more vulnerable to plant pests and diseases. They are quite easy to infect, and they draw the majority of pests. They require relatively little upkeep in other areas, like as watering, and they frequently let you know when they need something by dropping leaves.
Fiddles are one of the most distinctive and fashionable indoor plants, as we’ve already discussed, so taking the extra time to care for and monitor the environment in your home is well worth it.
Are Fiddle Leaf Figs safe for pets?
Fiddle Leaf Figs are dangerous to animals. If swallowed, they are poisonous to both people and dogs and cats. The best course of action is to always keep houseplants out of tiny children’s and animals’ reach.
Precautions
Fiddles should always be placed directly in or close to a window because they thrive in steady environments. Keep away from air conditioners, heaters and drafts. Following our aforementioned advice, if you do detect leaf drop, treat the leaves cautiously and be patient—they take a while to regrow.
The plants should be maintained out of tiny children and animals’ reach, as was previously specified. If consumed, the species is hazardous, including its latexy sap.