How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Sharing recommendations on the right way to deal with a fiddle leaf fig tree, how typically to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these vital questions!

Meet Frida Kahlo. She’s our attractive fiddle leaf fig plant that greets everybody who walks into our residence.

Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I typically get questions on the right way to deal with all these vegetation.

I hesitated to write down this publish as a result of I was a infamous plant killer and killed a number of indoor vegetation. Over the previous handful of years, I’ve FINALLY discovered my groove, and whereas I really feel fairly assured about my routine, I’m nonetheless scared to jinx something.

I can’t assist however worry that as SOON as I publish this publish, Frida’s leaves begin to recoil and burst into flames. However I’m going to go for it.

I hope you discover some useful ideas right here and my fellow fiddle leaf lovers, please share your high ideas within the feedback.

What Is A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

A fiddle leaf fig plant can also be known as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical timber that do extraordinarily effectively outdoor in reasonable and humid environments.

Over the previous 10 years or so, they’ve surged in recognition. Fiddle leaf figs generally grace journal covers, Instagram, and Pinterest posts.

It’s a lovely houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your house and could be a beautiful, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor influence and can also be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.

On this publish, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on the right way to deal with a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and preserve it trying lush, wholesome, and thriving for a very long time.

How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Correct Placement and Lighting Necessities

The important thing with fiddle leaf figs, tropical vegetation, and home vegetation is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be completely happy and get sufficient mild. Normally, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it might probably get plenty of daylight. These vegetation additionally are inclined to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. Should you stay in an space that isn’t well-lit, you should utilize a grow light. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and lots of members use develop lights on their vegetation. Have a look across the space and be sure you don’t have AC vents that shall be blowing instantly on the plant.

Whereas the solar is an efficient factor, be careful for an excessive amount of scorching solar and powerful direct daylight on the plant as a result of it might probably trigger sunburn. We have now one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten outdoors and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Brilliant, oblique mild is often greatest. Lightening circumstances make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly a couple of strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity ceaselessly) or the extra rare methodology (LOTS of watering about as soon as every week). I discovered that the cup methodology did NOT work for me. She was dropping leaves like loopy and I used to be pacing across the plant, making an attempt to determine what the heck was taking place. A recreation changer: the water meter! I ordered this from Amazon and checked her water each 7-10 days. I ONLY water the plant when the soil dries and the meter reaches a moisture stage 2 or 3, after which I soak the heck out of it. I’ll use 4 giant measuring bowls filled with filtered water and drench the soil. (Frida prefers filtered water from the fridge and never from the sink. Our ranges right here in Tucson are too acidic and it was affecting her leaves.)

Earlier than watering, use the water meter or a chopstick to poke holes within the soil – don’t fear it is not going to disturb the roots. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulation by extra freely. A very good rule of thumb for the quantity of water to make use of: water till it begins to come back out of the drainage holes after which go away it alone.

A observe: fiddle leaf figs LOVE rain and I really feel like rainwater is so a lot better for vegetation than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply in a different way. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation outdoors!

Potting Medium

Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, preserve it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your own home the place it’s going to stay. This manner, it might probably have time to regulate to the lighting and surroundings earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just remember to use one thing that allows water to circulation by as a substitute of holding the water, which might trigger root rot. They promote particular soil for fiddle leaf figs, and I do know many who’ve had good luck with cactus/succulent soil. I used Miracle Develop potting soil and it labored effectively. Verify along with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate in your local weather.

If you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an unlimited pot as the foundation system doesn’t want a ton of room to increase. They really do higher after they’re barely certain, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do effectively within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that dimension, or barely greater. Necessary: be certain that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply circulation by. I additionally prefer to put small rocks on the backside of a pot earlier than including the plant and soil, so water can simply transfer by and forestall root rot.

Fertilizing

You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. Should you discover that it wants just a little increase, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and brought about issues, so I ended utilizing it.) Should you select to make use of fertilizer, do that twice a 12 months: as soon as in the summertime and as soon as within the winter.

Routine Upkeep

Misting! As I discussed earlier than, FLFs love humid environments and thrive in just a little humidity. Should you stay in a dry local weather, misting could make a constructive influence on the leaves. You possibly can place a humidifier on low near your plant, or often mist by hand. I use this mister from Amazon and solely mist the leaves after I water (as soon as each 7-12 days). I mist the leaves after which wipe off any mud with a paper towel. This manner, dusty leaves don’t hinder the power to get daylight.

Weak trunks: I’ve heard of individuals gently shaking their tree’s trunks each few days, particularly in the event that they’re weaker/smaller. That is to stimulate the excessive winds and encourage a stronger trunk. I haven’t completed this for Frida, however could do this for Fred.

Enjoyable observe: fiddle leaf figs will develop as excessive as their ceiling permits. Our ceilings are 30 ft tall, and I HOPE SHE GROWS THIS HUGE with all my coronary heart.

Repotting

I’ve discovered that these vegetation are greatest left alone, so I’d solely advocate repotting if completely essential. (It could possibly trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t need to stress them out!) Some websites advocate repotting each 2-3 years to get recent vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is completely happy, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you may need to repot: the soil is pulling away from the perimeters and you may see plenty of roots, a bacterial an infection (plenty of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You possibly can keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s plenty of drainage and avoiding overwatering.

If you have to repot, shake off the surplus soil from the roots, and trim away any of the roots’ ends which might be overgrown. (It’s like giving it a haircut.) Should you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with a couple of inches of soil, encompass with plenty of recent new soil, and water.

Okay, associates! That’s all I’ve bought for ya, and I’ll add extra to this publish as I consider new ideas.

Do you may have plant infants? Any nice ideas you’ve discovered over time? Please share all the fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!

xo

Gina