You recently bought or already have a fiddle leaf fig. What’s next?
The Ficus lyrata, commonly known as the Fiddle Leaf Fig, is featured on the covers and in images of numerous design journals. Its tall stature and large, graceful leaves add drama and height and unify entire rooms. Despite where you’ve seen Fiddle Leaf Figs in pictures, some individuals don’t aware that they need to be placed just in front of a window. They can be challenging to care for until the plant adjusts to your environment and until you figure out when to water them. Continue reading to discover how to keep your fiddle leaf fig alive and healthy for many years to come.
Light
The best setting for Fiddle Leaf Figs is in front of a window that gets direct morning or afternoon light. The ideal window to choose has a primarily unobstructed eastern, western, or southern exposure. You don’t want the window to be shaded by nearby trees or buildings. If your Fiddle Leaf is positioned right in front of the window, a north facing exposure can also work if there is enough room and nothing blocking your view of the sky. You should gradually adapt your tree to being in several hours of direct sunshine if you plan to set it in front of a southern exposure. The leaves could burn and develop brown scorch scars if they receive too much direct sunshine too rapidly. Over the course of 1 to 2 weeks, gradually increase the amount of time it spends in front of a southern window.
The amount of light your Fiddle Leaf Fig need to thrive depends in part on its size. The amount of light a plant needs will increase with its size. For instance, a window would need to be much taller to accommodate a 7′ tall tree than it would a 4′ tall tree.
In general, your fiddle leaf fig will require more light to preserve its existing leaves and spur the growth of new ones the more leaves it has. In order to tell us that it isn’t getting enough light to support all of its leaves, a plant will respond when it isn’t getting enough light by losing lower and interior leaves.
It’s crucial to maintain your plant in front of the window during the winter months when natural light isn’t as abundant but also ensuring sure it doesn’t catch any chilly air from drafts that blow in. If your windows are drafty, try moving your Fiddle Leaf 2 to 3 feet away from the window to observe how it reacts. In most cases, keeping plants at this distance allows them to avoid any sporadic cold air blasts while yet receiving an equivalent quantity of light. For more advice on winter maintenance, keep reading.
Which direction grows fiddle-leaf figs best?
The Fiddle-leaf Fig, or Ficus lyrata to us nursery people, is a houseplant whose appeal has grown recently. The big, waxy, violin-shaped leaves, tree-like form, and sculpture-like habit of this plant have made it a well-liked houseplant for indoor gardeners as well as a fashionable subject for design blogs and articles. The uninformed may find fiddle-leaf figs to be a little volatile despite the high acclaim. But it’s not as difficult as you may imagine to take care of them. Simply adhere to the recommendations given below, and you’ll be able to appreciate a Fiddle-leaf Fig’s beauty without the drawbacks.
Watering
Overwatering is among the serious errors that most Fiddle-leaf Fig owners make. Like many other members of the Ficus family, fiddle-leaf figs require some time to dry out in between waterings. You may notice leaf browning at the edges, a musty odor close to the base, and even leaf drop if the soil is persistently moist. To prevent this, water plants only when the top three to four inches of soil are dry. Water should also be allowed to completely drain through the pot to avoid oversaturation. Additionally, keep in mind that Fiddle-leaf Figs are indigenous to the forests of West Africa, so water with lukewarm water to help prevent shock.
Light
Fiddle-leaf Figs favor intense, filtered light. The ideal window is one that faces east or north and has good exposure, but not direct sunshine. Daily brief exposure to direct sunlight is acceptable, but avoid the mid-afternoon sun at all costs. The midday sun’s harsh rays will be too strong for your fig and may scorch the leaves.
Temperature
Warm temperatures, typically between 60 and 75 degrees during the day and no lower than 50 to 55 degrees at night, are ideal for fiddle-leaf fig growth. Maintain the temps as uniformly as you can. Rapid temperature changes can cause shock, which causes leaves to fall. Avoid placing your Fiddle-leaf Fig close to any vents for heating or cooling or windows that could be affected by a draft from the outside. Another suggestion is to lightly spray the leaves in the winter. During the winter, heating your home depletes necessary humidity. Your Fig will benefit from the additional moisture in the air that you can provide on occasion.
Repotting
Unless you observe strong root development peaking from the bottom of the container, fiddle-leaf figs often don’t require repotting until the spring of every other year. This timetable can be followed until it becomes impossible to follow. After that, all that will be required of you is to replace the top layer of soil once a year. Make sure your Fiddle-leaf Fig is potted in a loose, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil to help with moisture difficulties. By doing this, water won’t collect in the soil and soak the roots excessively.
A Note About Pets
Unluckily, pet owners might want to stay away from having a fiddle-leaf fig in their house. Pets that have consumed any part of a fiddle-leaf fig plant may experience stomach upset and inflammation.
Fiddle-leaf Although growing figs can be difficult, with a little perseverance and good care, you can produce a lovely specimen that will complement any home’s decor.
How much sun is required for 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.
Can a fiddle-leaf fig be planted in a bedroom?
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.
Is a fiddle-leaf fig OK for the restroom?
Due to Southern California’s dry coastal desert climate and the aridity of air conditioners, humidity-loving plants can occasionally be challenging to maintain indoors. The humidity from the shower or bath is delightful to many of our tiny green companions, even if the bathroom is occasionally the last place someone thinks to put a plant. If a window that provides full or indirect light is present, the situation will be at its best. However, some plants can survive low light levels and enjoy the moist shower sprinkles.
FLAT-LEAF FIG The Fiddle-leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata), sometimes known as Fiddle-dee-dee, grows well in warm, moist environments. It can live in other rooms of the house because it is a highly tolerant plant. Its preferred hangout, though, would be the steamy bathroom. It would thrive in a gorgeous floor-standing pot in a master bathroom because it is a rather large plant. The fiddle-leaf is content when exposed to bright filtered light or even a small amount of full sun through an east-facing window. The soil needs to drain quickly while being consistently moist. Its leaves will fall off and the roots will decay if you leave it submerged in water. Use a weak fertilizing solution, or don’t fertilize at all. Instead of the taller, smaller leaves found with F. lyrata, there are certain compact, bushier cultivars like ‘Compacta’ or ‘Suncost’ that are shorter with larger leaves.
BEGONIA Begonias thrive in humid environments, therefore a specific spot in the bathroom with plenty of bright indirect light would be ideal. Begonias come in three varieties: tuberous, fibrous, and rhizomatous. The two other species of begonias, fibrous and rhizomatous, though they also enjoy dampness, survive dryer parts of the house far better than the tuberous begonias do. Be cautious because root rot and excessive watering can harm the plants. Just when they need it, water. Sometimes, experts advise waiting until there are obvious signs of dryness, like droopy foliage, before watering. Although these plants are naturally resistant to pests, if water remains on them for an extended period of time, they may get powdery mildew. A happy morning bath can be had thanks to the variety of colors in bathrooms!
and other BROMELIADS, AIR PLANT One of the simplest plants to grow is the tillandsia, sometimes known as the air plant. They are an ideal option for a high humidity environment because they employ small capillaries called trichomes, which are distributed throughout their leaves, to absorb nutrients and moisture from the air. Tillandsias can be imaginatively placed inside of a glass bowl, hung from the wall, or anywhere else because they use their roots to tie themselves to an object. Indirect window lighting or sufficient levels of artificial light are crucial for an air plant. Additionally, they thrive in the bathroom’s damp vapor. An air plant requires less watering the more humid the surroundings are. Water the air plant by setting it face down in a bowl, sink, or other container, and letting it soak for 10 to 20 minutes. Since standing water can promote rot and eventually kill the plant, be careful to gently shake out any excess water from the plant’s base. It is best to water in the morning and let it dry for 4 hours.
Other varieties of bromeliads that are grown inside have minimal requirements and little pest issues. High humidity is ideal for these plants, but they are quite sensitive to overwatering. They can survive longer without water than with too much. So use a soil that drains quickly. Additionally, to prevent salt buildup, irrigate the soil thoroughly so that it can drain. When the top 2 inches of soil are dry, water. Make careful to frequently flush the bromeliad’s “tank, where the leaves form a cup at the top, with filtered water if it has one. There are different lighting conditions for the plant; some types require strong indirect light while others prefer less. Avoid exposing leaves to direct sunlight for long periods of time because it can harm them. The ideal window is one facing south. They don’t need much fertilizing, however every six months with a water soluble fertilizer, they can benefit.
POLITY LILY Spathiphyllum, often known as the peace lily, is a perennial choice for adding beauty to a home. With its white blossoms and glossy, deep green foliage, it is not only graceful but also helps to purify the air. The Peace Lily releases essential oxygen into the air while dissolving pollutants like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide in its pores. It is also a highly forgiving plant that requires little maintenance. If you don’t water it, it could become droopy and appear rather lifeless. However, thoroughly watering the plant will immediately wake it up such that its soil is saturated but not soggy. Use quick-draining soil to avoid having it sit in wet since it dislikes it. The best option is filtered water, or you can leave the water out overnight to let the chlorine gas out. The peace lily thrives in the humidity produced by taking a shower in a bright bathroom with indirect lighting. In the spring and summer, fertilize once a month with a 20-20-20 at 1/2 to 1/4 strength plant fertilizer to keep the blooms coming.
How can a fiddle leaf fig be kept content?
Placing your fiddle leaf fig in the ideal location within your home will ensure its success. Put it in a location that is not exposed to wind or drafts (stay away from air vents! ), receives sunlight without being overly hot, and, on top of that, some humidity won’t harm. Greenery NYC offers a light-measuring guide if you’re unsure whether a particular location in your home is perfect for a fiddle leaf fig to live its best life.
Added advice? Your fiddle leaf fig tree should be rotated frequently, not moved. Fiddle leaf figs usually grow toward the sun, so rotating your planter once a month might promote more balanced growth and prevent it from bending in different directions.