Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig is a tropical and sculptural tree that can be grown indoors. Many homeowners crave the sculptural form of the plant and the bold, tropical leaves. It’s often seen in gorgeous rooms designed by well-known interior designers or in architectural publications.
This plant has a reputation for being short lived or being fickle about the conditions it grows best in. To grow a fiddle leaf fig tree try to mimic its natural, tropical environment. It also likes consistent care and sunlight. It doesn’t need pampering but stick to a schedule for watering, fertilization, and moisture.
If given the proper care they can live quite long and grow to over 10 feet tall indoors. There are also dwarf varieties that are nice for small spaces in your home such as bathrooms or for apartments.
When selecting your fiddle leaf at a garden center, be sure to inspect it thoroughly. You want to look for signs of neglect which will often show in the leaves. If the leaves have brown spots or they are drooping, yellow, or brown at the ends, then avoid buying the plant. You want to start with a healthy plant.
You’ll also want to check for new leaves. During the growing season (Spring into Fall), they should be sprouting and looking healthy (not brown or withered). Look for any pest issues along the branches and trunk as well.
A few damaged leave is most likely fine but avoid plants where all the leaves have issues.
REPOTTING: Once you get your fiddle leaf home, it’s often best to repot your tree. Nursery containers can confine the roots and are designed for ease of transportation and economics, not what’s best for your home or the long-term health of the tree. Select a pot that’s 2 to 4 inches larges than the root ball. This will provide room for the roots to spread out.
Repot using an indoor planting mix. Once repotted you may also want to water in using a liquid indoor plant food fertilizer or specific fiddle leaf fig plant food. Often the nutrients in the soil have been used up by the time it reaches your home—so it’s time for more. Top dress the soil with a gravel or mulch to keep the indoor pot neat. It will help keep the soil and moisture in the container.
SUNLIGHT: When grown indoors year-round, find a location that has bright sunlight. In many climates, bright indirect to direct sunlight is best to ensure your plant has enough sunlight to grow. You just don’t want hot summer sun shining through directly onto the leaves. This can cause scorching. Just watch your plant and don’t be afraid to move your plant around to find a spot it grows best in your home.
HUMIDITY: One of the best things you can do for your fiddle leaf fig is provide moisture and humidity. This can be done by keeping it in a location that’s naturally more humid (such as a bathroom) or by misting the foliage on a weekly basis.
CLEANING: The leaves also need to be cleaned regularly to keep them healthy. Use a damp cloth to wipe the leaves down. This can be done every few weeks.
WATERING: You should water about once every 2 weeks with about a half-gallon to a gallon of water. If you’re unsure how often to water your fiddle leaf fig, then use a moisture meter. You can also check the soil with your finger. If the top 2 inches of soil are dry, then it’s time to water.
TEMPERATURE: You’ll also want to keep it at a consistent temperature—60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You also want keep fiddle leaves away from hot or cold windows because the trees are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature.
NOTE: Some people prefer more frequent watering, such as giving it a few cups of water once a week. The watering frequency and amount will depend on your climate as well as how much natural humidity is in your home.
FERTILIZATION: To fertilize your fiddle leaf, use a house plant fertilizer roughly once a month from spring to fall during the growing season. Fertilization doesn’t need to be done during winter.
The most common signs of stress are leaf drop, yellowing, or browning leaf tips. If you have leaf drop, it could be a lack of sunlight, poor nutrition, or under-or-over watering. Drop back to the basics and make sure your tree has bright light, regular watering, and fertilization about once a month. You can also try using filtered tap water. Sometimes tap water can have trace chemicals that can cause browning.
This plant takes some getting used to but once you find the right spot, you’ll have a tree that performs well if your consistent with your care.
The nice thing about fiddle leaf figs is they are available at good prices at many local garden centers these days. Try one out, learn how it grows best in your home, and follow these guidelines and you be rewarded with a tropical-looking, sculptural tree for your home.