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.
Fiddle leaf figs come in two varieties, right?
Most likely, you’ve encountered two varieties of fiddle leaf figs.
the short bushy kind with leaves that begin at the base and the tall, tree-like variety with a long, naked trunk. These two plants are the same one, but one has undergone shape and pruning. It is best to shape a plant in the spring when it has had time and energy to grow back. Patience is essential because it takes 18 months to get a fiddle to your desired level.
Pruning is done for two reasons: to eliminate dead leaves and to promote new growth. It is advisable to remove leaves when they begin to brown noticeably (as a result of stress or root rot) so they don’t sap the plant’s energy. Wearing gloves, cut the leaf stem at an angle, about half an inch away from the trunk, using sharp, clean pruning shears. Although pruning is an essential component of plant maintenance, you should take care to just remove 5–10 leaves at a time to prevent shock. For a tree-like shape, you can also remove lower leaves using this technique.
Cut, pinch, and snap off the bud at the top of the plant to promote fresh top growth. You know you’ve done it correctly when you see the sap begin to run. When a plant starts to grow too tall, you can even completely take off the top of it (this is sometimes referred to as radical pinching).
Are there various Ficus lyrata species?
Ficus lyrata refers to all varieties of fiddle leaf fig plants. Due of how they have been pruned, they occasionally seem to be different varieties. Although smaller Ficus lyrata species like “compacta” and “bambino” don’t reach the same heights as the more common fiddle leaf fig tree, they are all the same plant and require the same maintenance.
As a result, the many varieties of fiddle leaf figs aren’t essentially different plants in and of themselves. There are numerous fiddle leaf fig kinds available, it is true. As a result, if you’re a true admirer of ficus, you may absolutely purchase a variety of them to spice up your collection.
Do figs come from Ficus lyrata?
Some fig trees, like Ficus carica, the common fig tree that produces the fruit we consume most frequently, produce both male and female blooms, allowing pollen from fruits on the same tree to fertilize the female fruits. These figs are thought to be monoecious and yield fruit that is edible or at least tolerable.
Other fig trees, such as the dioecious ficus lyrata, produce fruit that is both male and female. Producing fruit requires multiple trees, which is another reason why fiddles hardly ever produce fruit inside.
Fruit from these dioecious trees typically has a poor flavor. Occasionally, this fruit is utilized as animal feed, but usually it is discarded.
Due to the two-month lifespan of these wasps, ficus trees can yield fruit all year long. So you might see fruit at any time of the year if you have an outside fiddle leaf fig with the right temperature and pollinators!
Why does Ficus lyrata cost so much?
The fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata), which can reach heights of up to 10 feet inside under ideal conditions, may reach about 50 feet in tropical rainforests. It has become the “it” plant of the past ten years thanks to interior designers’ admiration of its unique foliage. The price has increased due to the demand.
Fiddle leaf plants are very sensitive to the state of the air. The list of things they dislike includes dry air, drafts, too much or too little sun, and so on.
A mature tree requires a significant investment. A huge fiddle leaf fig may be simpler to cultivate for a professional, but unless you know how to take care of one, owning one will be difficult. For this new addition, think about adding a humidifier to your home.
What distinguishes a fiddle leaf fig?
The fiddle leaf fig plant is a rock star among houseplants as far as plants go. The fiddle leaf fig, a staple of Instagram, is still going strong. You’re an excellent fit for the fiddle leaf fig if you enjoy a challenge. The plant has broad, elongated leaves with a fiddle-like form. The key to success is humidity, thus getting a good humidifier for your plant is crucial. To ensure a healthy and robust plant, make sure your fiddle leaf fig receives plenty of indirect sun, check the soil’s wetness before watering your plant, and spend money on a high-quality fiddle leaf fig plant food. Fiddle leaf figs give back by eliminating pollutants and producing clean oxygen, which helps to purify the air like no other.
Are fiddle leaf plants available in a variety of varieties?
The lowland rainforests of western Africa are home to the tropical plant known as the fiddle leaf fig. Its popularity as a houseplant is through the sky, but because it prefers warm, humid, and bright conditions, it can be a little picky when cultivated indoors.
But don’t be concerned! Given the proper circumstances and attention, this robust plant won’t be afraid to flaunt its striking profile and profusion of foliage.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees don’t have as many interesting stories or symbolisms as most flowering and attractive plants, but they are very compatible with the Taurus zodiac sign. But there is one certainty. Your house or business will undoubtedly benefit from the lush greenery and calming atmosphere that this “it plant” brings.
Types of Fiddle Leaf Plants
You can get two different types of fiddle leaf fig plants, often known as FLF, as indoor houseplants. The first one is a shrub called a fiddle leaf fig, which may reach heights of 3 to 4 feet and has a bushy appearance. Ficus lyrata ‘Compacta,’ ‘Bambino,’ and ‘Suncoast’ are popular cultivars. The Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is the common name for the other plant kind. It grows up to 7 feet tall indoors and is much taller.
Numerous reputable plant stores offer year-round delivery of fiddle leaf fig trees.
Can a Ficus lyrata be left outside?
Ficus lyrata, also known as the fiddle fig or fiddle-leaf fig, can be grown outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, however it may thrive best in zones 10b through 11. It may be grown indoors anywhere. Although the fiddle fig can handle full daylight outside, it thrives in medium light indoors, so pick a window that doesn’t receive a lot of afternoon sun.
Does fiddle leaf fig work well in bedrooms?
Given how frequently it appears in home publications, television shows, and blogs, the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is one of the most popular houseplants right now. The appropriate lighting is crucial to keeping your plant healthy in a bedroom environment because its huge leaves are its focus point.
The gloomy understory of the jungle is ideal for fiddle leaf figs, but indirect light from an east-facing window also promotes their growth. To improve the humidity around the plant, place your fiddle leaf fig on a plate of stones with water in it. In conclusion, the fiddle leaf fig prefers everything in moderation, including temperature, water, and light. Your plant will suffer if there is an imbalance between these components.