- Wrap the pot, support the trunk, and cover the foliage.
- If you can, move the tree upright, perhaps in a moving truck.
- To prevent the leaves from being torn and the tree from being shattered, try constructing a wall around the tree out of furniture or other items. To cushion the trunk, you can also use crumpled packing paper.
- Use pillows, folded blankets, a folded tarp, or something else to support the trunk if you must turn the tree on its side. The tree should be kept as close to its original shape as it lies on its side.
Can I relocate my fiddle leaf fig to a different space?
You could think I’m lost! After informing you that I moved my fiddle leaf fig and it survived, why am I now urging you not to move your fig?
Yes, keep your Fig where it is. We really relocated to a new town, so I had to transfer mine because it required more light. If your fig is flourishing and is located in an area with bright, indirect light, don’t relocate it to rearrange your living room furniture or improve the appearance of your home. It will not enjoy it!
Only three justifications exist for moving your fiddle leaf fig:
- You are relocating to a new house.
- Your plant requires either more or less light.
- You must rotate your fig so that all of its surfaces receive an equal amount of light.
My fig astonished me by sprouting a new branch in the center of a spindly branch where all the leaves had previously fallen off.
What happens when you shake a fiddle leaf fig?
“To keep my fiddle upright while it was young and immature, I used a wooden dowel. I was able to remove the dowel and it no longer need extra support because it was able to strengthen itself over time as it grew and with frequent shakings, Paige added.
So even though I wouldn’t advise you to shake your plants firmly, giving them a gently rock would not harm them. In addition to your FLF, I can see this idea working well for Rubber plants, Monsteras, Alocasia, and Pilea plants. They all have thick stems that frequently need to support a lot of weight as the leaves enlarge. This will probably become a regular component of how I take care of my plants. Play some music, get moving, and invite my plants to join in. It seems like it would be enjoyable.
Do fiddle leaf figs rotate?
Fiddle Leaf Figs need to be thoroughly watered about once a week to match their love of natural light. You should modify the amount of watering based on the size of the plant and, consequently, the size of the roots. As a general rule, water the plant thoroughly only after the top 2 to 3 inches of soil have dried up. This entails watering it till water drips out the bottom if it’s in a planter with a drainage hole. However, avoid letting the drip tray fill up with water for too long because root rot can readily develop in this situation. Remember to water the plant slowly and in a circular motion around it, making sure to wet all of the soil. Water will then reach all of the roots rather than just some.
A Sustee Aqua-meter is one of the greatest instruments for determining how frequently your Fiddle Leaf Fig requires water (available for purchase in our shops). We have discovered that there are particular seasons of the year when our plants are significantly more thirsty than usual since we started using these in our stores. The Sustee changes color from blue to white when the soil is sufficiently dry to prevent overwatering from occurring after it has become saturated with water.
You should water all tropical plants with water that is room temperature. A plant will undoubtedly experience shock if exposed to hot or extremely cold water, just as it would if the same conditions existed outside.
Prior to watering, aerate and break up the soil to improve water absorption. In order to ensure that water reaches all of the plant’s roots rather than draining out along the planter’s edges, we also advise watering very slowly around the top of the soil.
Maintenance
Fiddle Leaf Figs need some routine care, just like most other plants. One crucial maintenance procedure for your fiddle leaf coincidentally involves its leaves, which are also its most noticeable feature. Wonderful duty in the shape of routine dusting comes with great leaves. Fiddle Leaf Figs require frequent dusting due to the size of their leaves. As dust builds up on plant leaves, dust particles interfere with the plant’s ability to absorb sunlight and carry out photosynthesis. Given how much Fiddle Leaf Figs adore light, giving your plant a frequent dusting will go a long way toward keeping it healthy.
Rotating your plant monthly or biweekly is a good idea in addition to dusting the leaves. By rotating your plant, you’ll ensure that it receives an equal distribution of light, preventing one side from growing much faster than the other and resulting in a solid, symmetrical Fiddle Leaf Fig.
There are a few things you can do to encourage your Fiddle Leaf Fig (or any tree, for that matter) to start developing branches. First, try providing your plant with additional light. Trees naturally sprout branches, and if they have a lot of natural light, they may have more energy to devote to doing so. Cutting off your plant’s highest point of growth is another approach to promote branching. As a result, the plant will be forced to start branching out from the sides rather than continuing to grow vertically. Visit our pruning journal entry to find out more about pruning and branching.
Aerating the soil once every few months prevents the soil from being compacted for people who don’t already do so. The ability of your plant to absorb water is one of many factors that can be badly impacted by compacted soil, which eventually forms tiny pockets of soil where water never penetrates. It is possible to aerate using a variety of tools, including chopsticks and official soil aerators that are of a similar size and shape. To avoid destroying too many roots, gently press the aerator deeper into the earth as you go. By breaking up any areas where the soil has clumped together, do this a variety of times around the soil to keep your plant healthy and happy.
Last but not least, we advise using a “less is more” philosophy when it comes to fertilizing your Fiddle Leaf Fig and other indoor plants. It’s advisable to avoid providing your plants with too many extra nutrients at once. In the spring and summer, we strongly advise adding a slow release pellet fertilizer, such as the Osmocote Plus Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food, into the top layer of the plant’s soil. These pellet fertilizers typically last for a few months.
Winter Tips
Winter is a challenging season for indoor plants, including Fiddle Leaf Figs, because of the obvious lack of natural light and the cooler temperatures. As indicated above, keeping an eye out for cold windows is a smart place to start, but there are other things you can do to keep your Fiddle Leaf content throughout the chilly months.
People frequently experience problems with heating vents during the winter, but since they aren’t used for more than half the year, it’s simple to forget about them. Plan to relocate all of your plants away from any heating vents when it is time for them to turn on. Repeated hot air bursts have the potential to scorch leaves and quickly dry out your plants.
Break up the dirt a little with your fingertips before watering your plant in the winter. Soil is easily clumped and compacted in winter due to the dry indoor air. By lightly breaking it up with your fingertips, you can prevent water from dripping through the soil and out the sides of the planter.
It’s also important to note that a humidifier can benefit Fiddle Leaf Figs and other tropical plants all year long, but particularly during the winter when the indoor air turns dry. Your plants are able to flourish as they would in a rainforest thanks to the continuous increase in moisture circulating in the air, which prevents browning leaf tips.
Key points:
Fiddle Leaf Figs thrive when put immediately in front of windows since they require a lot of natural light.
Once a week, thoroughly water the soil, allowing the top few inches to dry out before watering again.
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about caring for fiddle leaf figs below, in person at one of our stores, or by contacting us.
How should a huge fiddle leaf fig be moved?
No matter if you’re moving your plant a few miles or across the nation, the majority of the aforementioned advice is still applicable. To ensure your Fiddle Leaf Fig arrives securely, there are a few extra procedures to take for longer moves. Before moving day, you should start planning several weeks in advance.
Examine your Fiddle Leaf Fig and other plants thoroughly a month before the relocation. pests, and prune as necessary. To make them easier to move, you can think about relocating them from heavy clay pots to light plastic containers.
A couple of days before the relocation, water your plants. The soil should be moist enough to prevent complete drying out during transportation, but not so damp that the plants become too heavy or drip.
Check the weather, paying attention to the temperatures at noon and at night (if the move is more than one day). If the circumstances inside the car might be harmful to your plants, you might wish to make alternate plans.
Where should you put a fiddle leaf fig?
Even while it may be alluring to position your fiddle leaf fig wherever it blends in with your decor, doing so will benefit both you and your fiddle in the long term. Although being close to a window is acceptable, it should be at least a few feet away from any windows. Just keep it out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Even better if you have a sheer curtain that can block off the sun’s rays for your fiddle leaf fig. The window should ideally be facing south or east. Simply told, a Fiddle Leaf Fig shouldn’t be placed close to a north-facing window because it won’t get enough light there.
Use a compass app on your phone to determine the direction the windows in your house face if you are unsure of their orientation. Knowing this will help you take better care of your plants.
Which Direction Should Your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s Window Face?
Avoid placing your Fiddle Leaf Fig in front of a north-facing window if at all possible because they receive the least amount of sunlight. Such windows might get adequate light if you reside in a southern temperate climate, though. There is less light coming through these windows the further north you are from the equator.
East-facing windows benefit from the sun’s early morning light, but they don’t get much of its late-day illumination. Your Fiddle Leaf fig requires at least six hours of total daily sunlight, therefore this is a concern. Carefully consider the window’s size and check to see if it receives any noon light.
Windows facing west get the greatest natural light during the day. The sun’s beams are strongest at this time. Therefore, you should exercise caution if you plan to place your fiddle leaf fig in front of one since its leaves may burn. To protect it, keep your plant at least a few feet away from the window.
The sun shines brightest and for the longest on south-facing windows. They are perfect for fiddle leaf figs as a result. Just be careful not to place your plant too close to a window or you run the danger of burning the foliage.
Despite their reputation for being picky, fiddle leaf figs can adapt to poor illumination. Focus on giving your plant the greatest care possible even if you don’t have the finest lighting for it. Avoid overwatering and use fiddle leaf fig plant food when fertilizing. Additionally, remember to turn your fiddle leaf fig when watering! Your plant will eventually tilt toward its light source because it seeks sunshine. Without consistent sunlight exposure, leaves will also be less wholesome.
This article was modified from Claire Akin’s Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource. For additional information on how to take care of the fiddle leaf fig, see their website.
Are fiddle leaf plants sun-loving creatures?
The light that most homes and apartments naturally provide—not too much, not too little, nothing too bright, nothing too dark—is what the fiddle-leaf fig needs to thrive. An east-facing window is suggested by Harnek Singh, a gardener at Wave Hill Public Garden in New York City. According to him, fiddle leaf figs require both direct sunlight and a lot of indirect light. “South or west-facing windows will receive too much afternoon sun.
So keep in mind that your fig requires adequate sunlight in your home just like the nourishing rays that come through the deep canopy of the jungle. Cacti and succulents that live in the desert should be placed in the south-facing window.
Singh also advises buying fiddle-leaf figs from reliable sellers to prevent encountering the opposite issue. He claims that many of these plants are frequently already declining as a result of spending too much time in the dark. Foliage that is flagging and leaves that are pale, spotted, or wan-looking are indicators of improper light exposure. If your plant displays these signs, try shifting it to a different location for a week or two.