Sharing tips about the best 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 vital questions!
Meet Frida Kahlo. She’s our beautiful 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 typically get questions on the best way to care for a lot of 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 concern 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 known 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 impression and can be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this submit, I’m sharing tried and examined tips about the best way to care for 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 joyful and get sufficient gentle. Normally, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it may well get plenty of daylight. These crops additionally are likely to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. If you happen to reside in an space that isn’t well-lit, you should use a develop gentle. 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 you don’t have AC vents that might 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 may well trigger sunburn. We’ve 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 often greatest. Lightening situations 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 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 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 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 can assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulate via extra freely. An excellent 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 significantly 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 would reside. This fashion, it may well 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 circulate via 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. Verify along with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest in your local weather.
Once you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an unlimited pot as the basis system doesn’t want a ton of room to develop. They really do higher once they’re barely certain, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do effectively within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that dimension, or barely greater. Essential: make sure that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply circulate via. 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 via and forestall root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. If you happen to discover that it wants just a little increase, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and triggered issues, so I finished utilizing it.) If you happen to 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 just a little humidity. If you happen to reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic impression on the leaves. You may place a humidifier on low near your plant, or often mist by hand. I exploit 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 fashion, 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 accomplished this for Frida, however might do this for Fred.
Enjoyable be aware: 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 greatest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely crucial. (It may possibly trigger stress for the crops and we don’t wish 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 joyful, 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 may keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s plenty of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If you might want to 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.) If you happen to 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, pals! That’s all I’ve acquired 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 the entire fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!
xo
Gina