How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tr...

Sharing recommendations on the best way to care for a fiddle leaf fig tree, how usually to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these necessary 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 the best way to care for a majority of these crops.

I hesitated to put in writing 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 also be known as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical bushes that do extraordinarily effectively 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 attraction of your area and generally is a beautiful, 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 submit, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on 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 blissful and get sufficient mild. Normally, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it could possibly get plenty of daylight. These crops additionally are inclined to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. When you dwell in an space that isn’t well-lit, you should use 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 might 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 could possibly trigger sunburn. We have now 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 normally finest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly a number of strategies right here: the cup technique (watering a small quantity steadily) or the extra rare technique (LOTS of watering about as soon as every 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 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. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to stream via extra freely. A superb 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 word: 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 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’s going to dwell. This manner, it could possibly have time to regulate to the lighting and surroundings earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just be sure you use one thing that allows water to stream via as an alternative of holding the water, which may 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 together 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 infinite pot as the foundation system doesn’t want a ton of room to increase. They really do higher after they’re barely certain, and plenty of fiddle leaf figs do effectively within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that dimension, or barely greater. Necessary: make sure 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 enhance, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and precipitated issues, so I ended utilizing it.) When you 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 a little bit humidity. When you dwell in a dry local weather, misting could make a constructive 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 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 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 executed this for Frida, however could do that for Fred.

Enjoyable word: 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 crops are finest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely crucial. (It might probably 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 possibly can 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 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 number of inches of soil, encompass with plenty of contemporary new soil, and water.

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

Do you’ve gotten plant infants? Any nice ideas you’ve realized over time? Please share the entire fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!

xo

Gina