Sharing recommendations on easy methods to maintain 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 dwelling.
Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I typically get questions on easy methods to maintain these kinds of vegetation.
I hesitated to put in writing this publish as a result of I was a infamous plant killer and killed a number of indoor vegetation. 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 high suggestions within the feedback.
What Is A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
A fiddle leaf fig plant can also be referred to as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical bushes that do extraordinarily properly open air 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 stunning houseplant that may add to the aesthetic enchantment of your area and generally is a beautiful, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor influence and can also be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this publish, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on easy methods to maintain 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 vegetation, and home vegetation is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be blissful and get sufficient gentle. Often, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it could possibly get a number of daylight. These vegetation additionally are inclined to do properly in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. When you stay in an space that’s not 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 vegetation. Have a look across the space and be sure to don’t have AC vents that will probably be blowing straight on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an effective factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar and robust direct daylight on the plant as a result of it could possibly 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. Shiny, oblique gentle 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 steadily) or the extra rare methodology (LOTS of watering about as soon as per 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 won’t disturb the roots. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to stream via extra freely. A great 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 depart it alone.
A notice: fiddle leaf figs LOVE rain and I really feel like rainwater is so significantly better for vegetation than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply in a different way. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation 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 manner, it could possibly have time to regulate to the lighting and setting earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just remember to use one thing that permits water to stream 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 properly. Verify along with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate on 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 properly within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely greater. Essential: ensure that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply stream 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 stop root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is flourishing. When you discover that it wants a little bit increase, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and triggered issues, so I ended utilizing it.) When you 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 a little bit humidity. When you stay in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic influence on the leaves. You possibly can place a humidifier on low near your plant, or often mist by hand. I exploit 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 completed this for Frida, however might do that for Fred.
Enjoyable notice: 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 vegetation are finest left alone, so I’d solely advocate repotting if completely essential. (It might trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t wish to stress them out!) Some websites advocate repotting each 2-3 years to get contemporary vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is blissful, depart it alone haha. Some indicators you may wish to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides and you’ll see a number of roots, a bacterial an infection (a number of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You possibly can keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s a number of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If that you must 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.) When you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with a couple of inches of soil, encompass with a number of contemporary new soil, and water.
Okay, mates! That’s all I’ve bought for ya, and I’ll add extra to this publish as I consider new suggestions.
Do you will have plant infants? Any nice suggestions you’ve realized over time? Please share the entire fiddle leaf fig care suggestions with us!
xo
Gina