Sharing tips about how one can deal with a fiddle leaf fig tree, how usually to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these vital 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 usually get questions on how one can deal with the following pointers for crops.

I hesitated to put in writing this put up as a result of I was a infamous plant killer. 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 put up, 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 prime 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 bushes that do extraordinarily nicely outdoor 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 stunning 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 affect and can be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.

On this put up, I’m sharing tried and examined tips about how one can deal with a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and maintain 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 glad. Often, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it might probably get plenty of daylight. These crops additionally are likely to do nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. When you reside in an space that’s not well-lit, you should utilize 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 will probably be blowing instantly on the plant.

Whereas the solar is an effective factor, be careful for an excessive amount of scorching solar on the plant as a result of it might probably trigger sunburn. We have now one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten exterior and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Vibrant, oblique gentle is normally greatest. Lightening circumstances make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly a number of strategies right here: the cup technique (watering a small quantity regularly) 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, making an attempt to determine what the heck was taking place. 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 four 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 can 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 return 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 crops than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply in another way. If it rains, drag your sturdier crops exterior!

Potting Medium

Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, maintain it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your home the place it’ll reside. This fashion, it might probably have time to regulate to the lighting and atmosphere earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just be sure you use one thing that allows water to move via as a substitute 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 nicely. Examine 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 foundation system doesn’t want a ton of room to broaden. They really do higher after they’re barely certain, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do nicely within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely larger. Necessary: ensure 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. When you discover that it wants slightly increase, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and brought on 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. When you reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic affect on the leaves. You may place a humidifier on low near your plant, or sometimes 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 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 finished 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 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 needed. (It may trigger stress for the crops and we don’t need to stress them out!) Some websites suggest repotting each 2-Three years to get contemporary vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is glad, depart it alone haha. Some indicators you may need to repot: the soil is pulling away from the perimeters and you’ll 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 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.) 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, buddies! That’s all I’ve acquired for ya, and I’ll add extra to this put up as I consider new ideas.

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

xo

Gina