One of the most frequent problems we hear about when it comes to moving fiddle leaf figs is how rapidly the leaves can sunburn.
Owners of fiddle leaf figs all too frequently place them in the car without any protection from the sun, which causes the leaves to burn.
Put the leaves in a shaded area of the car and cover them with paper, a light blanket, opaque plastic, or a sheet to keep them out of the direct sunshine.
Drafts and Heat
Position the leaves away from a vent if you can to keep them from becoming dangerously heated. This can assist, but you should also be covering the leaves.
If you have to decide between allowing your fiddle leaf fig become too warm or blasting it with air, go for warm if you can.
Tearing
When you transfer the tree in and out of a car or if they shift during transit, your fiddle leaf fig leaves may tear.
Secure the tree so it won’t move and other objects can’t bump it, then cover the leaves with paper or a thin sheet.
If you must tip the tree over, support the trunk so that the foliage won’t be damaged.
Uprooting
Fiddle leaf figs dislike being relocated in the first place, thus uprooting them can result in a lot of unneeded shock that makes the tree acclimate to its new habitat more slowly and lose more leaves than is normal.
If you plan to tip the plant on its side to put it in a car, secure it in the pot by wrapping the base of the trunk and the pot in plastic wrap, a towel, or a blanket.
Breaking
Finally, if the trunk of your fiddle leaf fig is thin, you run the risk of shattering the branches or possibly the trunk.
Consider wrapping the trunk in a protective blanket or wadded-up packing paper if you’re carrying the tree in a moving truck with many other items, or use furniture to erect a barrier of protection around the tree.
The risk of breaking a branch or the trunk is lower when driving a car, but you should still support the trunk with boxes, pillows, the center console, etc. Additionally, it prevents the leaves from ripping from bearing too much weight.
How would you drive a fiddle leaf fig tree?
You should have a solid plan in place to safeguard your prized Fiddle Leaf Fig whether you’re relocating it to a new home or city. See our advice for how to make the journey go as smoothly as possible by reading through our list of tips.
Tip #1: Plan Ahead
Although it may seem more like common sense than a recommendation, having a strategy in place will help you avoid many of the difficulties that could arise when shipping a fiddle leaf fig. It also entails gathering your packing supplies, assessing the weather, and car space. As soon as you decide to relocate, begin considering this so that when moving day arrives, you are prepared.
Tip #2: Secure the Soil
You should secure the dirt in the pot to prevent it from overflowing into your vehicle. Fortunately, fiddle leaf figs only often have one stem in a pot, making this task simple. Use whichever is most convenient for you from the range of viable possibilities.
One suitable solution is a plastic bag secured around the trunk and wrapped around the pot. To prevent soil from falling into the bag and dirtying the outside of the pot, I also prefer to wrap a rubber band around the lip of the pot. Cardboard is a fantastic alternative. Tape the cardboard to the container after cutting it to the proper size. It also works with plastic wrap!
Additionally, you should make sure the drainage holes are sealed off to prevent water and soil from harming your car as you carry your fiddle leaf fig. The simplest method for doing this is to simply tape a plastic bag around the pot’s base.
Tip #3: Protect the Leaves and Trunk
Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves are fairly resilient, but if they are moved around too much in a moving car, they can easily snap off. If as all possible, try to transport your fiddle leaf fig standing up and away from any other objects in your car. However, a taller tree may find it challenging to maintain, in which case you’ll need to take additional precautions to safeguard the leaves.
The leaves can be properly bunched and tied with twine, or they can be covered with an old bedsheet, bubble wrap, or a plastic bag. For longer moves, you might look for a box that fits the entire plant inside (be sure to secure the leaves, though). If you must turn the plant on its side, give it lots of cover and support the trunk of your Fiddle Leaf Fig at various spots to distribute the strain evenly. By doing this, the likelihood of the trunk breaking will be reduced.
Tip #4: Consider Cutting It Back
Your extremely enormous fiddle leaf fig might prove to be too difficult to transport. In such scenario, trimming it down to a more manageable size might be a wise decision. Fiddle Leaf Figs are quite hardy and can bounce back from even fairly severe pruning.
A sterile cutting tool should be used, and if at all possible, Fiddle Leaf Figs should be pruned just before the growing season. After being pruned, your Fiddle Leaf Fig might not appear quite as lovely, but it will rapidly rebound with new growth and might even grow even more fast than before.
Tip #5: Prepare for Shock
The biggest shift a plant may go through is probably relocating to a new habitat, and fiddle leaf figs are notoriously sensitive to change. Your Fiddle Leaf Fig is likely to endure shock, whether you’re bringing it home from the perfect conditions of a nursery or relocating to a new house. Due to the rapid and dramatic nature of shock symptoms, witnessing this can be upsetting. The entire plant could appear wilted, and some leaves might fall off.
Once shock has set in, there isn’t much you can do to prevent it, however Fiddle Leaf Figs typically bounce back in due course. It’s better to mimic as much of the similar conditions between the old and new sites as you can to lessen shock.
Give your Fiddle Leaf Fig a few weeks to get used to its new location before making any other adjustments, such as repotting or fertilizing. Avoid overwatering during this time, especially if it starts to lose any of its leaves. It is still important to maintain consistency and implement any modifications gradually once your fiddle leaf fig has adjusted and is putting on new growth.
Why are fiddle-leaf figs resistant to movement?
There is one thing you can do to give it a chance, keeping that in mind.
Fiddle-leaf figs can become unruly if transported, according to Angie Thomas, a horticulture consultant for Yatessays.
Fiddle-leaf figs can also sulk and lose some of their leaves if you move them, according to Angie. “Weeping figs are renowned for dropping their leaves when they’re relocated,” she said.
“Move your fiddle-leaf fig to a better place if it doesn’t seem pleased in its current location and doesn’t seem to like it (such as with brighter light or away from a draft). Otherwise, attempt to move your fig as little as possible or, if you must, move it gradually in the hopes that it won’t notice.”
Where to place your fiddle-leaf fig
If you put the fiddle-leaf fig in the appropriate area, it makes a great indoor plant.
“They adore a well-lit area indoors that is shielded from the sun. Every two weeks, it’s a good idea to rotate the pot by half a turn to ensure that the plant gets some light on all sides. This will lessen the likelihood of unbalanced growth “Judith argues.
“Fiddle-leaf figs dislike air conditioning or window drafts. They like a protected humid environment because they are native to damp tropical rainforests.”
Re-water your fiddle leaf fig only when the top few centimeters of the soil feel dry, she advises. Also, don’t forget to feed it during the warmer months of the year with a liquid fertilizer like Yates Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food.
Do fiddle leaf figs need direct sunlight?
Although they can withstand moderate sunlight, it’s not their preferred environment. It’s a good idea to put the plant near a south or west-facing window, but not directly in the sun, as it prefers steady, ambient light. They can tolerate up to six hours a day of direct sunlight, if necessary.
Finding a location where the conditions are as consistent as possible throughout the day is the finest thing you can do for these plants as they are creatures of habit. Placing your plant in low light is one thing you must never do.
Can my plant go outside?
Of course, you can take care of your fiddle leaf fig outside given the correct circumstances. It might perhaps act and develop to a height of more than 40 feet if you locate it in the ideal location. Your garden should, however, be entirely frost-free and never drop below 50 degrees at night in order to prevent any issues.
On summer days, you should use caution as well. Keep your plant from getting too hot too quickly and water it frequently so the roots have access to moisture all the time. Similar to when you keep it as a house plant, you should be watchful of how much direct sunshine it gets.
Why do the leaves turn brown?
You have some homework to complete if the leaves on your fiddle leaf fig are starting to turn brown. There are several potential causes, but light and water are the most frequent ones.
In most cases, water is the culprit if the edges of the leaves are becoming brown. If just the lower leaves are impacted, overwatering has created root rot. The likelihood of the plant being thirsty increases if all of the leaves are going crispy. Unhappy leaves that are going brown in the middle show that the plant needs more humidity since it is receiving too much light.
What’s the difference between a fiddle leaf bush and a tree?
An established fiddle leaf tree can cost hundreds of dollars, so you’ll probably end up nurturing a smaller plant to grow tall. Ficus lyrata likes to grow straight up if left unattended, but you can encourage branching by either pruning the new growth or notching the stem.
To notch, choose where you want a new branch to grow and make a 1/8-inch cut into the stem just above a node using a clean knife. The node should produce a new branch. The lower leaves can then be removed when your plant appears very healthy.
Should I mist my plant?
When caring for any rainforest plant, especially in the winter, misting is a need. Fiddle leafs prefer a humidity level of 65 percent, which is substantially higher than that of most houses.
Filling a spray bottle and leaving it next to the plant is the ideal method for misting. You can regularly spritz it with room-temperature water in this manner. Misting your plant is very crucial after dusting its leaves. For your plant, a humidifier is ideal if you can afford one, but regular misting with a spray bottle should suffice.
How long does it take for the plant to grow?
Most fiddle leaves can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors. They might even outgrow your home if they’re truly content. However, that may take up to 15 years. Of course you two want to stay together for that long, but it can be difficult to wait for a plant straight out of a magazine.
These are not the quickest-growing plants, but with proper care and fertilization, the 18-inch bush you purchased from the garden center should mature into a respectable-sized tree in 34 years.
Should I cut off brown spots off the leaves?
Although brown stains on the leaves are unsightly, you shouldn’t immediately remove them. After all, in order to photosynthesize, the plant requires its leaves. Your plant won’t thrive if the leaves are pulled out as soon as spotting appears.
Your plant is attempting to tell you something when its leaves turn brown, whether it’s water, fertilizer, sunshine, or pest control. The best course of action is to try to identify the issue, fix it, and then postpone pinching off the damaged leaves until your plant has produced some healthy new growth.
Are fiddle leaf fig toxic?
Yes. We’re not talking about plants that are aesthetically pleasing but dangerous here, but if you have kids or animals in your house, you should be cautious of them around any Ficus family plant, including your fiddle leaf fig.
A healthy adult won’t suffer long-term consequences from ingesting the plant, but cats, dogs, and small people can get hurt from the calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves. A burning, irritated mouth, trouble swallowing, drooling, and vomiting are indications of an adverse response. Consult a doctor straight away if you believe that your child or pet may have consumed a portion of the plant.
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.