How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Sharing tips about the best way to care for a fiddle leaf fig tree, how usually 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 house.

Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on the best way to care for a majority of these vegetation.

I hesitated to put in writing 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 concern 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 suggestions right here and my fellow fiddle leaf lovers, please share your high suggestions within the feedback.

What Is A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

A fiddle leaf fig plant can be referred to as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical bushes that do extraordinarily properly 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 stunning houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your house and could be a gorgeous, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor affect and can be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.

On this publish, I’m sharing tried and examined tips about the best way to care for 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 comfortable and get sufficient gentle. Normally, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it may well get a lot of daylight. These vegetation additionally are likely to do properly in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. For those who dwell in an space that isn’t well-lit, you should use 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 can be blowing immediately on the plant.

Whereas the solar is an efficient factor, be careful for an excessive amount of scorching solar and robust direct daylight on the plant as a result of it may well trigger sunburn. We’ve one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten outdoors and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Vibrant, oblique gentle is normally greatest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly a couple of strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity steadily) 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 occurring. A sport 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 move by extra freely. A superb rule of thumb for the quantity of water to make use of: water till it begins to return out of the drainage holes after which go away it alone.

A be aware: 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 otherwise. 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 is going to dwell. This manner, it may well have time to regulate to the lighting and setting earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just be sure you use one thing that allows water to move 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 properly. Examine together with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate to your local weather.

While you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an unlimited pot as the basis system doesn’t want a ton of room to develop. They really do higher once they’re barely sure, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do properly within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that dimension, or barely greater. Vital: make sure that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply move by. I additionally wish 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. For those who discover that it wants a bit of enhance, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and brought on issues, so I ended utilizing it.) For those who select to make use of fertilizer, do that twice a yr: 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 a bit of humidity. For those who dwell in a dry local weather, misting could make a constructive affect on the leaves. You’ll be able to place a humidifier on low near your plant, or sometimes 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 performed this for Frida, however might do that for Fred.

Enjoyable be aware: 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 might probably trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t wish to stress them out!) Some websites advocate repotting each 2-3 years to get contemporary vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is comfortable, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you may wish to repot: the soil is pulling away from the perimeters and you may see a lot of roots, a bacterial an infection (a lot of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You’ll be able to keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s a lot of drainage and avoiding overwatering.

If you must repot, shake off the surplus soil from the roots, and trim away any of the roots’ ends which are overgrown. (It’s like giving it a haircut.) For those who see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with a couple of inches of soil, encompass with a lot of contemporary new soil, and water.

Okay, pals! That’s all I’ve received for ya, and I’ll add extra to this publish as I consider new suggestions.

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

xo

Gina