Why Isn’t My Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing

Because it is expertly prepared with the ideal N-P-K ratio for fiddle leaf figs, we adore Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food. The best aspect is that it is so mild you can incorporate it into your weekly watering schedule! In this manner, you can guarantee that your tree receives the ideal dosage each time and that you never have to remember a fertilizer plan.

Repot your fiddle.

Fiddle leaf figs frequently have limited growth as a result of outgrowing their pot or becoming root-bound.

This occurs when the roots encircle themselves so tightly that they are unable to branch out or absorb the nutrients or water needed to maintain growth.

It’s usually time to repot your plant if you see a bunch of roots poking out of the top of the soil or the bottom of the pot. Since most fiddle leaf figs require repotting every two to three years, you should consider doing so if you haven’t done so already.

Although repotting seems frightening, it need not be. You can learn everything you need to know about repotting your fiddle leaf fig from this article. The top 4 inches of soil can be removed and replaced with new soil if your fiddle leaf fig is too large to be repotted.

Your fiddle leaf fig can develop and thrive after the appropriate watering schedule, nutrients, and pot size are in place because environment is important for a healthy plant (indoors or outdoors)!

How do you promote the growth of a fiddle leaf fig?

How to Grow Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Bigger and Quicker in 7 Easy Steps!

  • OPTIMIZE THE POT SIZE IN STEP 1.
  • Step 2: GUARANTEE OUTSTANDING DRAINAGE.
  • 3rd step: COMPLETE, REGULAR WATERING.
  • Step 4: Verify the soil’s aeration.
  • Do an annual soil treatment in step five.
  • Step 6 is to fertilize less frequently.
  • STEP 7: TURN ON THE LIGHTS!

Why aren’t my figs growing?

First, we shall discuss the reasons why a fig tree won’t bear fruit in this post. If you’re looking for that information, read our page on fig trees that don’t produce fruit.

There are a number possible causes for a fig tree’s failure to bear fruit. The three main causes of a fig tree not bearing fruit are the age of the tree, too much nitrogen, and water.

Fig Tree Not Fruiting Because of Age

A fig tree’s age is the most frequent cause of its fruitless state. Similar to animals, trees must mature before giving birth to children. Fig trees produce seeds in the form of fruit. The fig tree won’t bear fruit if it isn’t old enough to produce seeds.

A fig tree won’t typically start bearing fruit until it is two years old, although it can take some trees up to six years to achieve the proper maturity.

There is nothing you can do to hasten a tree’s rate of development. The only solutions are patience and time.

Fig Tree Not Producing Fruit Because of Too Much Nitrogen

Too much nitrogen is another typical cause of fig trees not bearing fruit. This frequently occurs when you apply fertilizer that has an excessive amount of nitrogen. Nitrogen makes the plant’s leaves and branches grow lushly, but it produces very little fruit, if any at all.

If you believe that too much nitrogen in your soil is preventing your fig tree from producing fruit, switch to a lower nitrogen fertilizer or add some phosphorus to the soil.

Fig Tree Will Not Fruit Because of Watering Conditions

A fig tree may cease producing figs or never start producing if it experiences water stress from either too little or too much water, especially if the tree is young. The fig tree won’t have the energy to devote to producing fruit since water stress will put the tree into a survival mode.

Increase the water if your fig tree isn’t receiving enough moisture. Remember that when the temperature rises above 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), fig trees in pots require daily watering and twice daily watering when the temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 C.).

Reduce your watering or improve the drainage in the region or in the pot if your fig tree is receiving too much water. Never allow fig trees to grow in water that is still.

These are the most frequent causes of fig trees failing to produce fig fruit. There are other additional, less frequent causes, most of which are related to the nutrients in the soil. If you believe that your fig tree is not being affected by the aforementioned factors, test the soil and make adjustments based on the results.

Fiddle leaf figs grow slowly, right?

Fiddle leaf fig trees have gained popularity in recent years among bloggers. I enjoy looking at the lovely interior design photographs on Instagram, which frequently feature potted fiddle leaf figs. One that I purchased last year perished slowly and sadly, leaf by leaf. Recently, I struck it lucky and paid only $12.99 each for a pair of fiddle leaf figs at Home Depot. Since these plants are elusive, I was thrilled to find them since I was determined to show myself that I could maintain one (or two) of them.

One of my plants was already displaying symptoms of distress when I came home. The few leaves at the top were withered. Because I want mine to live this time, I have been investigating this plant. I discovered that the experts frequently emphasized the following: Growing a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree: Tips and Tricks

  • Avoid overwatering. a weekly glass of water
  • It requires good lighting. The plant prefers consistent bright (indirect) light, although if placed in an Eastern-facing window, it can endure occasional full sun. Once it starts to slant toward the light, rotate the plant every several months.
  • It’s crucial to maintain a stable atmosphere. Maintain a temperature range of 60 to 75 degrees.

During the (growing) summer, fertilize once every month, then repot as the roots expand. Also, bear in mind that this plant grows slowly.

This plant is indigenous to West Africa’s tropical regions, where it can naturally reach heights of 40 feet or more. In their natural environment, fiddle leaf plants will first produce blooms and then fruit, but this rarely occurs indoors.

As I previously indicated, my previous attempt to raise a fiddle leaf fig failed miserably. The poor thing quickly grew weaker as it started losing its leaves. Upon further investigation, I discovered that if your plant is dropping leaves, it either requires more hydration or is exposed to a draft. A good approach to raise humidity is through misting. In order to remove dust and enhance the glossy appearance, you should also clean the leaves with a soft sponge and water. Its leaves could dry out and fall off because to cold drafts coming in through windows, doors, and air conditioners.

How long does it take for fiddle leaf figs to produce new leaves?

Fiddle Leaf Figs are infamously difficult to grow. There are a few typical maladies of this plant, like brown spots and leaf drop, that can make it sick or, worse, fast bring about its demise. The secret to keeping your plant happy and healthy is to keep an eye out for them and catch them early. Keep an eye out for these indications of a possibly sick fiddle leaf fig.

Brown spots on the leaves

The leaves of fiddle leaf figs are incredibly prone to browning. Brown spots that start to form and spread should be investigated even though a few small markings here and there are not a cause for concern.

Due to two opposing factors—either overwatering or underwatering—most brown patches on fiddles are unfortunately difficult to diagnose. Here’s how to distinguish between them:

Overwatering, which results in root rot, is probably to blame for brown patches that appear in the center of the leaf and spread outward. A fungal illness called root rot will eventually kill your plant by spreading to the leaves. You should repot your plant as soon as possible if it has root rot. Take the plant out of the ground, wash the roots thoroughly, and cut off any that are brown or mushy. After that, repot the plant in new soil with adequate drainage and remove the damaged leaves.

Are the brown spots on your fiddle beginning at the outside border of the leaves and moving inside? The plant is probably too dry for this to be the cause. Give your Fiddle a thorough rinse, and make sure it’s not too close to any heaters or air vents because that will likely cause the plant to dry out more quickly than is desired.

Finally, trauma may cause brown spots to form at random. A plant can suffer trauma just by changing homes (i.e. changing environments). If only one or two of your plant’s brown, damaged leaves are present, remove them at the stem and give your plant some time to heal.

The new growth is smaller than the older leaves

A healthy plant always shows new development, and if your Fiddle’s leaves are getting big and strong, your plant is doing fine.

The presence of little, stunted new leaves, however, may indicate that your plant is deficient in nutrients. Consider repotting your plant if it has been a while since you gave it fresh soil, or just fertilize it in the spring and summer to give it the extra nutrients it requires.

Dropping leaves

Fiddle Leaf Figs can appear to drop their leaves out of nowhere. One leaf here and there is normal; but, if several leaves have fallen off in a short period of time, you must act quickly to rescue the tree. Once more, underwatering or overwatering are the most likely causes of leaf drop in fiddle leaf figs. How then can you distinguish between them? Look at the direction in which the leaves are falling from the plant: if the older leaves (at the bottom) are dropping first, overwatering is probably the cause. On the other hand, if the plant’s leaves are falling off all around, it’s probably not getting enough water. Here are a few more techniques for differentiating.

Leaves turning yellow

Do your fiddle leaf fig’s leaves appear to be yellow? There are several potential reasons:

inadequate lighting Fiddle Leaf Figs require as much direct, strong light as they can get. Even a little direct sunshine is acceptable, but stay away from locations with medium or low light. Remember that a Fiddle that receives insufficient light is more likely to overwater.

a lackluster diet. Due to a deficiency of nutrients in the soil, your Fiddle plant may have yellow leaves. You may want to attempt fertilizing it with liquid fertilizer.

Pests. If fiddles are being attacked by insects, their leaves may also turn yellow. If you have a suspicion that this is the case, thoroughly check the leaves’ top and bottom surfaces for any potential bugs.

Stunted or slowed growth

During the spring and summer, healthy fiddles typically produce new leaves every four to six weeks. It’s possible to see your plant add numerous new leaves in only a few days or weeks because growth usually occurs in spurts. It’s typical for there to be no new growth during the winter. Again, if you don’t observe the expected growth in this plant, it may require new nutrients in the form of a quality plant fertilizer.

Dirty or dusty leaves

When was the last time you washed your plant’s leaves? Plants breathe through their leaves in addition to absorbing sunlight through them. Your plant won’t be able to carry out either of these tasks as effectively as we’d like if a layer of dust is present on its huge leaves. A fantastic technique to keep your Fiddle Leaf Fig plant bright, healthy, and vibrant is to clean the leaves every few months. You may read about various cleaning techniques for your fiddle leaf fig here.

Fiddle Leaf Figs are known to be pickier than most plants, despite the fact that they can be quite low maintenance. Maintain a regular watering routine, fertilize in the spring and summer, and most importantly, ensure that your plant receives enough light year-round (yes, this may require moving it in the winter!). Keep a watch out for any of these symptoms since treating them quickly is essential to keeping your plant healthy and looking nice.

This article was modified from Claire Akin’s Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource. For additional information on how to take care of the fiddle leaf fig, see their website.

How can you promote the growth of leaves?

You may make a fertilizer by mixing baking soda, household ammonia, and epsom salts. This fertilizer promotes plant development and helps plants keep healthy foliage.

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.