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 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 typically get questions on the best way to care for all these crops.
I hesitated to write down this publish 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 publish, Frida’s leaves begin to recoil and burst into flames. However I’m going to go for it.
I hope you discover some useful suggestions right here and my fellow fiddle leaf lovers, please share your prime suggestions 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 timber that do extraordinarily nicely outside in reasonable 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 is usually a gorgeous, 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 publish, 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 wanting 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, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it will probably get plenty of daylight. These crops additionally are likely to do nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. For those who stay in an space that’s not well-lit, you should utilize 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 to don’t have AC vents that can be blowing immediately on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an efficient factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar and powerful direct daylight on the plant as a result of it will probably trigger sunburn. We’ve got one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten outdoors and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Vivid, 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 technique (watering a small quantity regularly) 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, attempting 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 may assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulate via extra freely. 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 significantly better for crops than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply in another 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 stay. This fashion, it will probably 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 circulate 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 nicely. Test along with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest on your local weather.
Once you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an infinite pot as the basis system doesn’t want a ton of room to develop. They really do higher once 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 dimension, or barely larger. Essential: be 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 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 just a little increase, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and brought on issues, so I finished utilizing it.) For those who select to make use of fertilizer, do that twice a 12 months: 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. For those who stay in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic 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 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 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 achieved 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 essential. (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 contemporary vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is joyful, 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 possibly can keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s plenty of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If you should 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 just a few inches of soil, encompass with plenty of contemporary new soil, and water.
Okay, mates! That’s all I’ve obtained for ya, and I’ll add extra to this publish as I consider new suggestions.
Do you’ve plant infants? Any nice suggestions you’ve realized over time? Please share the entire fiddle leaf fig care suggestions with us!
xo
Gina
