How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Sharing recommendations on methods to maintain a fiddle leaf fig tree, how usually to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these essential 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 methods to maintain most of these crops.

I hesitated to put in writing this submit as a result of I was a infamous plant killer and killed a number of indoor crops. 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 submit, 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 be referred to as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical timber that do extraordinarily effectively outside in reasonable and humid environments.

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

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

On this submit, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on methods to maintain 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 crops, and home crops is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be glad and get sufficient gentle. Normally, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it could get plenty of daylight. These crops additionally are likely to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. In the event you reside in an space that’s not 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 crops. Have a look across the space and be sure you don’t have AC vents that shall 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 could trigger sunburn. We have now one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten exterior and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Shiny, oblique gentle is normally finest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly just a few strategies right here: the cup technique (watering a small quantity ceaselessly) or the extra rare technique (LOTS of watering about as soon as per 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 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 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 is not going to disturb the roots. This may assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulation by extra freely. A great 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 crops than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply in another way. If it rains, drag your sturdier crops exterior!

Potting Medium

Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, preserve it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your home the place it would reside. This manner, it could 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 permits water to circulation by as a substitute of holding the water, which may 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 on your local weather.

While 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 broaden. They really do higher after they’re barely sure, and plenty of fiddle leaf figs do effectively within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely larger. Essential: make certain 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 flourishing. In the event you discover that it wants somewhat 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.) In the event 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 the event you reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic influence on the leaves. You’ll be able to place a humidifier on low near your plant, or often mist by hand. I use this mister from Amazon and solely mist the leaves once 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 flexibility 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 that for Fred.

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

Repotting

I’ve discovered that these crops are finest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely essential. (It might trigger stress for the crops and we don’t wish 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 glad, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you may wish 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’ll be able to keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s plenty of drainage and avoiding overwatering.

If it’s good to 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 the event 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, buddies! That’s all I’ve bought for ya, and I’ll add extra to this submit 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