How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Sharing recommendations on the right 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 beautiful fiddle leaf fig plant that greets everybody who walks into our dwelling.

Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on the right way to care for these kinds of 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 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 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 timber that do extraordinarily effectively outdoor in average 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 area and generally is a beautiful, 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 recommendations on the right way to care for a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and hold it wanting 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, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it may possibly get plenty of daylight. These vegetation additionally are inclined to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. In case you reside in an space that isn’t well-lit, you should use a grow light. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and plenty of members use develop lights on their vegetation. Have a look across the space and be sure to don’t have AC vents that can be blowing instantly on the plant.

Whereas the solar is an effective factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar and powerful direct daylight on the plant as a result of it may possibly trigger sunburn. We now have 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 gentle is normally greatest. Lightening circumstances make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly just a few strategies right here: the cup technique (watering a small quantity incessantly) or the extra rare technique (LOTS of watering about as soon as every week). I discovered that the cup technique 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 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 degree 2 or 3, after which I soak the heck out of it. I’ll use 4 massive measuring bowls stuffed 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 won’t disturb the roots. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to stream by means of extra freely. A very good 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 depart it alone.

A notice: fiddle leaf figs LOVE rain and I really feel like rainwater is so significantly 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, hold it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your home the place it can reside. This fashion, it may possibly have time to regulate to the lighting and atmosphere earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just be sure you use one thing that permits water to stream by means of 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. Test along with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest to your local weather.

If you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an infinite pot as the foundation system doesn’t want a ton of room to increase. They really do higher after they’re barely certain, and plenty 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 sure the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply stream by means of. 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 means of and stop root rot.

Fertilizing

You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. In case you discover that it wants somewhat increase, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and brought about issues, so I finished utilizing it.) In case you 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 somewhat humidity. In case you reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a constructive affect 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 fashion, 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 this for Fred.

Enjoyable notice: 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 suggest repotting if completely needed. (It could trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t need to stress them out!) Some websites suggest repotting each 2-3 years to get contemporary vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is comfortable, depart it alone haha. Some indicators you would possibly 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 should 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.) In case you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with just a few inches of soil, encompass with plenty of contemporary new soil, and water.

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

Do you will have plant infants? Any nice suggestions you’ve realized over time? Please share the entire fiddle leaf fig care suggestions with us!

xo

Gina