Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) sometimes gets a finicky reputation.
If you have a window that receives bright morning light you’re free to grow this fig.
Fiddle leaf fig is toxic to people and pets.
The Spruce / LetÃcia Almeida
Fiddle leaf figs needbright, indirect lightfor about six hours of the day.
Inadequate light can contribute to drainage issues so plan to adjust the watering schedule in low-light conditions.
What jot down of Potting Soil Is Best?
The Spruce / Corinne Bryson
Any qualityindoor plant potting mixis suitable for a fiddle leaf fig as long as it drains well.
A peat-based soil mixed with perlite or a 50/50 combination of cactus and houseplant potting soil provides good drainage.
How Often Do I Need to Water My Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree?
The Spruce / Corinne Bryson
If the plant doesnt get enough water, leaves wilt and lose their bright green color.
Too much water and it might drop leaves and succumb toroot rot.
Aim for humidity between 30 and 65 percent (average household humidity).
The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Leticia Almeida
If you better moisten dry winter air,adding a humidifieris a good option.
Do I Need to Fertilize My Fiddle Leaf Fig?
AnNPK16-5-11 is a good choice with a ratio of roughly three parts nitrogen to one part phosphorous.
The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Leticia Almeida
Want more gardening tips?
Do this in late spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.
Use a sturdy, sharp, hand pruner and make cuts at a 45-degree angle between leaf nodes.
Take care to avoid damaging a branch or the main trunk.
Some growers prefer a tree-like appearance with a branched canopy.
Expert growers suggest waiting until your fiddle leaf reaches 5 feet in height to begin this process.
Then, top the main trunk above a leaf node to encourage branching.
Once new branches form, additional cuts can be made to develop horizontal growth.
Wear gloves and wipe the cut with a damp cloth.
The process is essentially the same with both mediums.
Dip the bottom in rooting hormone and insert it into a pot filled with well-draining potting soil.
A pot at least 6 inches in diameter with drainage holes is usually sufficient.
Firm soil to keep the cutting upright and cover with a plastic bag.
Place in a warm location with bright, indirect light.
After two weeks begin checking for root growth by tugging gently on the cutting.
Potting and Repotting Fiddle Leaf Fig
Plan torepot a young fiddle leaf figannually every spring.
Select a sturdy container that is roughly 2 inches larger in diameter than the existing one.
Fill in around the plant with potting mix.
If your decorative pot lacks drainage, plant in plastic and set it inside the prettier pot.
ensure to drain all excess water before replacing the plant in the decorative container.
Watch for spots, dark patches, or white webbing on the leaves.Neemor horticultural oil often eradicates pests.
Otherwise, treat with a fungicide or pesticide.
This is called leaf sunburn orleaf scorch.
Relocate your plant to a spot with bright, filtered morning light.
Check roots and remove any that are brown and mushy.
Trim back spotted leaves and repot in fresh, dry soil.
Adjust your watering schedule.
Temperature fluctuations also causebrown spots.Check for drafts and relocate to a spot with consistent temperatures if necessary.
Yellowing Leaves
If new leaves are yellowing, the plant may have a bacterial infection.
This is tougher to correct but try removing affected leaves and repotting in fresh soil.
Isolate it until it recovers.
Assess the plant’s light situation and move it away from drafty or particularly hot areas.
Fiddle leaf fig plants do well indoors.
No, fiddle leaf figs prefer bright, indirect light over direct sunlight.
Fiddle leaf figs are hard to care for because they’re very particular about their growing conditions.
It’s not a very forgiving plant.
You Might Also Like
Ficus lyrata.North Carolina State Extension.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Zarei, Mahvash et al.Evaluation of NaCl Salinity Tolerance of Four Fig Genotypes.Hort Science,vol.
