The Zen Succulent | Durham’s Neighborhood Plant & Gift Shop: Caring For A Fiddle Leaf Fig
Can I plant fiddle leaf figs in succulent soil?
In a well-lit space, the fiddle leaf fig tree creates a striking living sculpture with its tall, columnar structure and large, gangly leaves. Fiddle-leafs are a bright, eye-catching indoor plant that may be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 10 and 11.
The ficus lyrata, sometimes known as the fiddle-leaf fig, is known for being picky. It is true that fiddle-leaves suffer when the soil is either too dry or too wet, when there is either too much or too little sunlight, when the air is either too dry or too humid, and when the region is cool and drafty. But if we take care of a fiddle leaf fig plant properly, it can live for many years indoors. Fiddle leaf fig maintenance is simple and enjoyable!
Best Soil for Fiddle Leaf Figs
Your fiddle-leaf plant should be planted in a loose, humus-rich, well-drained potting medium. Use our Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil or an indoor potting mix. To increase the drainage and aeration around the roots, we advise adding one-third to one-half of a cactus potting mix, such as the one created especially by Perfect Plants for succulents and cacti, to the soil of indoor houseplants.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Watering
Carefully water your indoor fiddle leaf fig tree. Watering the violin-shaped leaves too much or too little has a similar affects, causing them to wilt and eventually drop. Water deeply with tepid water till water drains out the bottom after waiting until the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch down to approximately an inch deep.
Your fig will require less watering in the winter and more watering in the summer (perhaps once a week) (maybe once a month). Overwatering is the most frequent reason for early death in fiddle-leaf figs. You can tell when your fiddle leaf needs a drink by paying attention to it. You don’t want water at the bottom of the pot, damp feet, warm, humid temperatures, or root rot.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Light Requirements
The fiddle-leaf fig prefers filtered indirect light to direct sunlight. A fig’s leaves will scorch, become yellow, and fall off in full sun; in an overly dark location, the green leaves will shrivel and fall off. A window facing east that provides intense indirect light and is not too close to the sun so that the sun’s rays touch the leaves is the ideal location. Dropped leaves are a warning sign that something is amiss with your plant, so keep an eye on it.
Keep in mind that the amount of sunshine that enters a sunny window changes with the seasons. When the sun is higher in the sky during the summer, its direct rays do not reach as far into the room as they do in winter when it is closer to the horizon. As the indoor plant grows and leans toward the indirect light, rotate it occasionally. Our goal is to keep its symmetry. For a large houseplant, a rolling plant stand can be quite helpful.
Other Plant Requirements
To stop fungus diseases from taking root, there should be a moderate air flow surrounding the plant. A ceiling fan works wonders for this. Avoid chilly drafts from the air conditioner in the summer or from drafty windows in the winter. Cold drafts can cause leaves to drop, dry down, turn yellow, or brown with patches. If you think your plant might become cold or have leaf drop, move it.
Warm up your fig. Fiddle-leaves require a minimum temperature of about 50F during the winter. The ideal summertime temperature range is 60 to 75 F, with the cooler nighttime lows.
Because it is a native of the tropics, the fiddle-leaf fig needs a warm, humid climate, particularly in the winter when most homes have extremely dry air. In contrast to most homes, which have relative humidity levels of around 10% in the winter, fiddle-leaf figs thrive in environments between 30% and 60% RH. The ideal location for a local-use humidifier is close to the tropical plant to ensure appropriate humidity.
Regular misting of the fig’s leaves is a nice backup option. Grow numerous more indoor plants close by to increase the humidity in the area. Place the grow or container of the fig over a tray of water: In a big saucer, spread a layer of gravel, then add water until it is just below the gravel. Over the gravel, place the fig’s container. The humidity around the plant will increase when evaporation from this “humidity tray” occurs.
Best Fertilizer for Fiddle Leaf Fig
For best results, use slow-release fertilizer on fiddle leaves. Use Perfect Plants Fiddle Leaf Fig Fertilizer on your fiddle-leaf roughly every six months throughout the spring and summer growth period. Follow the label’s instructions for adding fertilizer to the current pot’s top layer of soil. It will specify how much to use for each pot size.
Fertilize not during the winter. This fertilizer is also available on Amazon Prime for no shipping fees. To maintain the flow of vital nutrients, ficus lyrata needs fiddle leaf fig plant food. A 16-5-11 NPK ratio is used.
When to Repot Fiddle Leaf Fig
Each year to three years, repot your fiddle leaf fig. We don’t want the roots to get root bound and obstruct the drainage openings in the container. Untie root systems that are confined to pots and cut off any that are overly lengthy. Repot the plant in a container that is only slightly bigger than the original after shaking out part of the old potting soil.
After carefully pruning the root ball and adding fresh potting soil, you can put your fiddle-leaf back in the same container if it has already grown to the desired size. Don’t remove more than 20% of the root ball when trimming. By trimming the roots, you can prevent the plant from growing too large. Spring is the ideal season for repotting. sturdy trunk to support the slender plant stem. The light may pull a plant in any direction, allowing it to grow. When the huge fiddle leaf fig tree is the desired height, pinch off the top of the main stem. A stronger and more tightly packed houseplant will result from this. Repotting and trimming should be done in the spring to give the fig a full growing season to recover.
Pests on Fiddle Leaf Fig Indoors
Pest insects including aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, or whiteflies occasionally affect figs. Regularly check the large leaves and young stems for signs of infection, and if any appear, spray or clean the leaves with an insecticidal soap. You can create your own bug-killing solution by mixing one quart of water with two tablespoons of a light liquid soap, such Dawn or Castile.
Wipe your fig leaves occasionally with a moist towel to keep them bright and clean. By removing the covering of dust, which can obstruct vital metabolic activities including transpiration, CO2 intake, and photosynthesis, the fig not only looks better.
A fiddle leaf fig is what kind of 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.
How much sunlight are required by fiddle leaf figs?
The fiddle-leaf fig will not withstand situations with both low light and high light, in contrast to other plants (looking at you, monsteras!). It must be placed in an area with lots of bright, indirect light. Furthermore, it requires a few hours of direct sunlight each day.
“Lighting is the first and most crucial factor you should take into account before purchasing a fiddle. Little did I know that by placing my fiddle in a room with a north-facing window when I first took it home, I was sort of setting myself up for failure “Greene explains. “Fiddle-leaf figs like lots of light, and they frequently need up to five hours of direct light each day,” says the author. It thrives “near to south- or west-facing windows, or directly in an east-facing window,” according to Greenery Unlimited, and nothing can be anything blocking that light (like a building or trees). Additionally, because it grows toward the sun, you must rotate it once a month.
In addition to these lighting requirements, you also need to gradually introduce sunshine; you cannot expose it to too much sunlight at once. Otherwise, the lovely green leaves of the fiddle-leaf fig can burn and get brown spots. On the other side, too little sunlight will cause its leaves to become brown or yellow, or even worse, fall off. It also hates being moved around a lot since it could lose its leaves. Most likely out of spite. Even if your plant sustains some combat wounds in the process, you’ll finally locate the best location for it, even if it takes some trial and error.
“Adding a grow lamp ($23) is one of the things you can do to supplement that light if you already have a fiddle-leaf fig but feel like it’s not getting enough,” advises Greene. They’re fantastic since you can automatically control how much light it receives each day, especially if they include a timer.
How often should fiddle leaf figs 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.