When you bring your fiddle home, you might occasionally wish to repot it because not all nursery pots are created equal.
Generally speaking, it’s best to keep your fiddle in the nursery pot for the first few weeks as it gets used to its new surroundings. You don’t want to add root shock to the transition from a nursery to your home if you don’t have to. If it seems healthy, repot it after letting it settle for about a month.
But be careful to maintain a very close check on the soil’s moisture content. When you bring them home, this can be an issue because many nursery pots, especially those from large chain retailers (looking at you, Home Depot), are made to keep the roots extremely dry with great drainage so they can be watered every day.
Repot your soil if it dries out too quickly or doesn’t drain from the nursery pot.
Fungus
If you notice mushrooms or fungus on the soil’s surface, try first scooping them out with a spoon. Then, add cinnamon, which has a built-in antifungal, to the soil, check to see whether your plant is receiving enough light, and steer clear of overwatering. Repotting the tree should only be done if you see brown spots or if the fungus reappears soon.
When should you repotted a fiddle leaf fig?
For good reason, fiddle leaf figs are popular in the design world. They are a terrific modern accent in homes and businesses thanks to their enormous, architectural leaves, which create a striking statement. Despite the fig’s image as a bit of a prima donna, if you and your fig abide by a few simple rules, you and your fig can enjoy a long-lasting and fruitful relationship.
Here are some fundamental instructions for taking care of a fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). Keep in mind that if you ever need assistance troubleshooting plant concerns, feel free to stop by our store or use the hashtag #heyswansons to share your queries on social media.
SOIL
Fiddle Leaf Figs are native to the rainforest and prefer rich, porous soil. When repotting your fig, we advise using E.B. Stone Organics “Edna’s Best” Potting Soil.
You can either gently remove the plant from its pot and search for roots that develop in a thick circle or check the bottom of the container to see whether the roots are emerging from the drainage holes.
You can repot your fig into a container that is up to a few inches larger if it has outgrown its current one. Fiddle leaf figs typically require repotting every one to two years.
Another choice is to carefully cut the root ball of a huge plant and repot it in its original container with fresh potting soil. Don’t forget to only remove 20% of the root ball.
When your plant has grown as big as your home or office will allow, you have the option of trimming the roots to prevent it from getting any bigger.
LIGHT
Give your fig a strong, indirect light source. Direct afternoon sun can be too strong and burn the leaves. If your single window is facing South or West, try relocating the plant a little bit away from the window or put a sheer curtain in front of the window to block the sun’s rays.
WATER
Consistent watering helps fiddle leaf figs stay hydrated but not drenched. Water slowly and thoroughly until water drains out of the drainage holes in the pot, let the soil dry to about 1, and then water slowly and thoroughly one more. To prevent the plant from sitting in water, make sure to dump any remaining water from your caching pot or tray.
During the spring and summer growing seasons, water slightly more than in the winter.
If figs do not receive enough water, their leaves may start to turn brown or yellow around the margins before dropping. The roots could decay if the plant is kept too moist because they won’t be able to get oxygen. Yellowing, browning, and the dropping of the lower/older leaves are indications of overwatering, which are comparable to those of underwatering.
HUMIDITY & TEMPERATURE
The warm, muggy climate of the rainforest is favorable to figs. You might put a shallow tray of water near or under your plant to boost the humidity in your house or place of business. If placing the tray under the plant, fill it with pebbles and keep the water level below them, so the roots of the plant are not sitting in standing water.
To increase the humidity around the leaves, you might also want to mist your plant a few times each week. In the winter, a humidifier can also work wonders to boost humidity and keep your plant content.
Floppy Leaf Figs don’t like drafts or sudden temperature changes very much. The leaves may fall from exposure to air conditioning or cold drafts from windows. When evening lows do not go below 60 degrees, they are happiest.
FERTILIZER
Fertilize with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer during the growing season. To avoid overfertilizing, you can either follow the instructions on the packaging or halve the recommended dosage. Additionally, if you are not repotting that year, you can add an inch or two of new potting soil each year.
PESTS
A plant under stress may become more susceptible to pests. A contented plant that is misted and well-watered will be less likely to encounter pest problems!
Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites can all harm figs. Always be sure to check your plant’s foliage on a frequent basis. Depending on the pest attacking the plant, if you find insects, send us a picture or bring a sample in so we can suggest a suitable natural insecticide.
The plant’s leaves turning yellow and falling off are another sign. However, problems with irrigation could also be to blame. If you don’t see any pests on your plant, experiment with different watering schedules to see if the problem goes away.
OTHER TIPS
Those big, gorgeous leaves can be dust magnets! To keep your Fig gleaming and healthy, give it a once-over with a gentle, dry cloth.
Keep in mind to frequently rotate your plant to maintain uniform growth and avoid tilting!
Send us photos of your fiddle leaf figs! Show off your beauty by using the hashtag #heyswansons!
Don’t wait to repot your new plant.
Your plant most likely arrived in a plastic pot if you bought it from Home Depot or another supplier.
To keep the roots bone-dry, these pots incorporate drainage holes on the side. That’s because growers regularly moisten plants’ roots with water, and growing containers are made to allow water to drain quickly. This lessens (or completely eliminates) the chance of root rot, but once you get your plant home, it becomes hazardous.
Don’t put off repotting your plant because fiddle leaf figs can dry out and sustain severe harm in just a few days in these containers. If you have to wait a few days or weeks, make sure to water your plant every day while it is in the grower’s pot. Pour the water on the plant gently so it has time to soak in rather than simply draining out the side drainage holes.
Understand proper drainage.
Understanding correct drainage is the most crucial long-term investment you can make in the health of your fiddle leaf fig plant.
Because fiddle leaf fig trees are prone to root rot, you must ensure that your container has excellent drainage and that your plant never sits in water. To keep your root ball dry, you’ll need a container with a drainage hole and some cactus mix or other materials, such Smart Gravel.
My preferred planters are those made of ceramic with drainage holes, such as this one or the following one, both of which are available at Home Depot.
Select the right container.
You’ll need to purchase a new container that is 3–4 inches wider in diameter (across the top) than the one your plant is now in. Grab a tape measure to make sure your new container is bigger than your old one in both width and height. Avoid going overboard because oversized pots might encourage root rot. The new pot should have a maximum diameter increase of 6 inches over the old one. A 16- or 18-inch pot will work as the majority of the large fiddle leaf fig trees at Home Depot are in 12- or 14-inch pots. Your new pot must have drainage holes at the bottom, otherwise, plant homicide will have occurred. A sizable ceramic pot like the one below works best for me as a container.
Get the right potting soil.
Your plant needs nutrients from the soil in order to grow, as well as for proper drainage and moisture management.
I always plant fiddle leaf figs in our premium potting soil. Don’t give in to the temptation of using soil or dirt from your garden for succulents or other plants. Houseplants require soil that is prepared to promote airflow and water retention.
Are fiddle leaf figs root bound in their favor?
Fiddle leaf figs thrive well in the pot they were purchased in and are generally content as root-bound plants. Place it into a larger decorative container or basket and cover the plastic store-bought pot with some beautiful moss. We’ll discuss more about repotting later.
How should a little fiddle leaf fig be replanted?
It’s time for soil after you’ve chosen a container for your fiddle leaf’s new home.
Fiddle leaf figs require potting soil that drains well and has a lot of organic content. It performs best on a peat-based soil with some perlite. For good reason, this is staple fare for the majority of indoor potting mixtures.
A fundamental ratio would be around two-thirds peat and one-third perlite. Though many other, more complex recipes might also be effective. I merely want to give you a rough idea of what constitutes adequate drainage in this area.
What causes my fiddle leaf fig to droop after being replanted?
Like people, fiddle leaf fig trees experience some stress when they move into a new place. For them, moving into a new, larger pot might serve as a basic form of relocation. After repotting, symptoms like drooping leaves are completely typical. The symptoms might take a few days to manifest, but with the correct environment and care, your plant should adapt to the new container and return to normal in a matter of weeks. After repotting, keep a check on your fiddle to make sure the symptoms do not persist for too long.
If your Fiddle has been relocated to a new location in your house, it could also exhibit signs of stress. Your Fiddle could experience shock if the light or temperature suddenly shift. After a few weeks, if your plant is still receiving adequate light and the temperature change is not too drastic, it should easily adapt to its new surroundings. A few leaves may have drooped after your transfer because of the bumps it may have met, but this shouldn’t cause you any long-term concern.
Avoid placing your plant next to any radiators or air conditioning/heating vents. Drooping leaves are one among the stress indications that your fiddle will exhibit as a result of the drafts or heat pockets that are formed. You might invest in a compact humidity sensor, which is useful for identifying dry areas in your house.
If the leaves on your Fiddle are drooping but none (or very few) have fallen off, you’re in luck since you should have noticed the problem quickly enough to be able to fix it. After you have identified the problem and made the necessary changes to the environment or care, your plant should recover fully after a few weeks. If you’ve suddenly realized that it’s lost a lot of leaves, don’t panic. With the correct care, you should be able to resurrect your dying fiddle. Simply put, it can take a little longer and demand a closer look.
Do fig plants benefit from coffee grounds?
Coffee grinds might be an excellent addition if you have alkaline soils or want to lower the pH level of your garden soil because fig plants like acidic soil. The addition of coffee grinds close to the root zone will aid in moisture retention and generate soft spots for new roots to enter. If adding coffee grounds close to the tree, make sure the soil is thoroughly mixed with them before spreading them to prevent hard, dry spots from forming.
Are self-watering containers favorable to fiddle leaf figs?
PRO TIP: Rinse the leaves of your plant with room temperature water every three months. This makes sure they can absorb and photosynthesize sunlight more effectively by clearing away any dust that has accumulated.
Always evaluate your plant’s watering requirements as soon as you get one. It is important to check the soil’s moisture content first to make sure it isn’t wet directly under the surface before giving your plant a drink. Additionally, think about aerating your plant’s soil before to the first watering. Aerating can help with drainage, let the soil breathe, and let moisture escape because many farmers compact the soil to prevent it from shifting while being transported.
As it originates from a region of the world where it gets extremely dry in between rainstorms, the fiddle leaf fig like its soil to be kept continuously, uniformly moist with a brief drying out interval between waterings. When the top two inches of soil have dried, thoroughly water the plant. Check the soil frequently until you establish a habit with your plant. If you allow the soil to dry deeply to the lower root system, leaf loss will result. On the other hand, excessive soil moisture can induce leaf drop and root rot.
A soil probe, which enables you to check your plant’s moisture level at the root level and may also be used to aerate the soil if ever overwatered, is the finest method we have found to obtain an accurate moisture reading throughout the soil. Choosing our Monitor Brass Soil Probe is a classy move.
We strongly advise potting your fiddle leaf because it is difficult to keep it alive for a long time in its nursery container. Just be sure to use a permanent planter with sufficient of soil mass and, most importantly, drainage. You must be extremely careful not to overwater your Fiddle Leaf Fig if it was planted in a container without a drainage hole. In this situation, we advise giving your Fiddle Leaf Fig a little extra time to dry out in between waterings and checking the soil’s moisture content at the roots with a soil probe before watering. Particularly in our self-watering containers, these plants thrive!