How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Sharing recommendations on the way to care for a fiddle leaf fig tree, how typically to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these essential 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 typically get questions on the way to care for all these vegetation.

I hesitated to put in writing this put up 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 put up, 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 bushes that do extraordinarily nicely open air 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 stunning houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your house and is usually a beautiful, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor impression and can also be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.

On this put up, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on the way to care for a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and maintain 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 satisfied and get sufficient gentle. Often, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it might get plenty of daylight. These vegetation additionally are inclined to do nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. For those who stay in an space that isn’t well-lit, you need to 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 ensure you don’t have AC vents that can be blowing straight on the plant.

Whereas the solar is an effective factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar and robust direct daylight on the plant as a result of it might 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 gentle is normally finest. Lightening circumstances make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly just a few strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity steadily) or the extra rare methodology (LOTS of watering about as soon as per 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 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. This can assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulate by means of extra freely. A superb 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 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 another way. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation outdoors!

Potting Medium

Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, maintain it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your own home the place it’ll stay. This manner, it might 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 permits water to circulate by means of as an alternative 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 nicely. Verify together with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest to your local weather.

Whenever 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 broaden. They really do higher after they’re barely sure, and plenty of fiddle leaf figs do nicely within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely larger. Vital: be sure the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply circulate 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 flourishing. For those who discover that it wants a bit of enhance, I like this fertilizer blended 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 stay in a dry local weather, misting could make a constructive impression on the leaves. You possibly can 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 carried out this for Frida, however might do that 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 finest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely vital. (It could actually trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t need to stress them out!) Some websites suggest repotting each 2-3 years to get recent vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is completely satisfied, 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 it is advisable repot, shake off the surplus soil from the roots, and trim away any of the roots’ ends which can be 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 just a few inches of soil, encompass with plenty of recent new soil, and water.

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

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

xo

Gina