How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Sharing tips about methods to handle 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 beautiful fiddle leaf fig plant that greets everybody who walks into our residence.

Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on methods to handle all these crops.

I hesitated to jot down 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 also be known as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical bushes 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 house and could be a gorgeous, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor affect and can also be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.

On this submit, I’m sharing tried and examined tips about methods to handle a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and hold 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 blissful and get sufficient mild. Normally, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it might get plenty of daylight. These crops additionally are likely to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. For those who dwell in an space that’s not well-lit, you need to use a develop mild. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and lots of members use develop lights on their crops. 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 scorching solar and powerful direct daylight on the plant as a result of it might 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. Shiny, oblique mild is often finest. Lightening circumstances make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly a couple of strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity incessantly) 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 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 degree 2 or 3, after which I soak the heck out of it. I’ll use 4 massive 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 via 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 observe: 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 a different way. If it rains, drag your sturdier crops 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 should dwell. This manner, it might have time to regulate to the lighting and atmosphere earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just remember to use one thing that permits water to move via 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 effectively. Test along with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest in your local weather.

Whenever 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 increase. They really do higher after they’re barely sure, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do effectively within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely larger. Vital: be sure that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply move via. 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 via and forestall 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 slightly enhance, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and precipitated issues, so I finished 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 slightly 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 take advantage of 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 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 executed this for Frida, however could do that for Fred.

Enjoyable observe: 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 crops are finest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely needed. (It could 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 blissful, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you would possibly wish to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides 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 essential repot, shake off the surplus soil from the roots, and trim away any of the roots’ ends which might 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 a couple of inches of soil, encompass with plenty of contemporary new soil, and water.

Okay, pals! That’s all I’ve acquired for ya, and I’ll add extra to this submit as I consider new ideas.

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

xo

Gina