The fiddle leaf fig is one of the most well-liked plants. It seems to be continually popular on social media thanks to its easily recognizable big leaves. But do fiddle leaf fig trees cost more given their popularity? It differs, but in general you will spend a little bit extra for the reputation of this plant.
A mature fiddle leaf fig tree typically costs around $100. The plants can cost anywhere between $20 to $250, depending on their age, source, and health. The best place to look for a fiddle leaf fig tree on a budget is during regional plant swaps.
Let’s investigate why fiddle leaf figs are so costly and how to identify a good one.
A fiddle leaf fig tree is it a true fig tree?
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. Avoid using heaters, air conditioners, 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.
Is the fiddle leaf fig a healthy houseplant?
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 long do fig trees with fiddle leaves 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.
Do fiddle leaf figs cost a lot?
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.
What stores sell fiddle leaf figs?
- Examine the state of the leaves. Do they have any brown patches on them?
- Consider the size and shape of the leaves. Are they huge, bright, and powerful, or are they little, dirty, curled, or drooping?
- Hunt for fresh growth. The perfect plant is capable of producing new leaves.
- The new growth ought to be in good condition. A failing bud should be overlooked in favor of a fresh, cheerier-appearing new leaf.
- Use the flashlight on your smartphone to search the cracks and crevices for microscopic bugs. Just pass it up and remember to tell the garden center if you find anything.
The first thing to understand is that each online live plant shop has a unique way of presenting their inventory.
Therefore, you are unable to predict how far a knife will penetrate before coming into contact with live tissue. A razor-sharp knife is therefore very necessary. Simply using the least amount of pressure is ensured, lowering the possibility of a mistake.
A layer of bubble wrap serves as protection for my first fiddle leaf fig package. Despite popular belief, this is not only a better practice than the norm. And I appreciate that extra measure of security.
The soil is then covered with masking tape so that when I tip them upside down, no dirt spills out. It’s just clever.
I paid between $4 and $5 for each of the tiny, immature fiddle leaf figs I ordered, each of which is around 2 inches tall. They will treat me nicely in the future if I treat them good now. I’m eager to provide them with the best care I can.
I have to approach unboxing a more mature two-footer plant differently.
Once more, having a sharp knife is essential. I can’t get my arms far enough into the box to reach that pot and pull it out since the packing is so tight. Instead of reaching down to lift the pot and the plant out, you will need to cut away the box.
I lightly press down one corner’s side with the tip of my X-Acto knife. Just to the pot, not all the way to the bottom. I can now open one side of it like a door. You can now remove the pot from the box.
I weigh it when I remove it from the packaging to gauge how saturated the soil might be. I had noticed a few little brown stains on those upper leaves. I’ll startle them in a moment to see whether they move. Since they are likely spider mites if they do.
Compared to the little babies, this plant’s evaluation is something I take very seriously. That’s not just because it costs five or six times as much, but also because there is a lot more foliage at this point to look for signs of issues.
Don’t be startled if loose dirt falls across your work surface as you remove the tape and paper. When you discover that there are no overt indicators of suffering, this is always a thrilling discovery.
You don’t need to use the stick to support the plant if it can stand upright on its own with a little pressure applied to the trunk. In fact, if you allow the trunk to rely too on that stick, you risk weakening it.
Test your plant’s ability to return to an upright position by giving it a little wiggle. I’ve been happy with the size of fiddle leaf figs I’ve been getting from online vendors. The more experienced ones are the ones that have caused me problems.
I was initially impressed by what I saw: a phenomenally robust, massive trunk, and few, if any, curled, dried, or brown-spotted leaves.
Along with the tree, a few insects that resembled fruit flies appeared. That indicates fungus gnats. I unwrapped the plant and started root-to-top inspection.
Experience has taught me that the top two inches of soil are home to white fly larvae. However, because they are minute, I knew that if there was a problem, I would only be able to see the adult fungus gnats. And I did see them.
The roots are protruding from the top of this dirt, and I can see them as I proceed up in my strategic inspection.
This is a sign that it’s time to repot other houseplants. However, our ficus lyrata rolls in this direction of its own accord. Thus, for this particular plant, you don’t need to be concerned with exposed top roots.
Then, once more, I see a big, sturdy trunk. Excellent. You might be wondering why the last plant I unboxed resembled a bush, but this trunk is naked. This one resembles a tree more.
Again, you’ll need to read another piece on our website titled Pruning and Shaping Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant to Keep it Healthy to find the simple solution. Your favorite plant will grow from a bushy shrub into a towering tree as described in that useful article, which will also teach you what to expect at different ages and stages.
It’s time for me to look at the vegetation right now. One thing I notice is a little hole that appears to be an injury in one of the leaves. Therefore, it is not an insect’s lunch. It won’t fix itself, but it also won’t become any bigger.
I’ll now set the plant down here so I can study the top leaves. And once more, I’m happy to see some new growth, which is the telltale sign of a healthy plant.
As I adapt the plant to its new environment, I rely on this clue to provide me comfort if the plant experiences shock. The nicest feature of this new development is that it is distinguished by large, fresh leaves rather than by little, underdeveloped, or reluctant little shoots. They merely boost my self-assurance as a caretaker.
The last thing I notice is the abundance of loose dirt. Many of the leaves and branches are being covered by it. So all this plant needs is a bath. I use 75-degree water because I want to emulate the tree’s native tropical West Africa, and I hope the tree will appreciate my thoughtful gestures like this while it adjusts to its new existence here with me.
We appreciate you learning more about the best ways to buy a fiddle leaf fig from a store or online. Make sure you know how to care for your plant after you bring it home. Happy expanding!