How do you care for a fiddle leaf fig tree indoors?
Fiddle Leaf Fig Care & Information The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata), is famous for its broad green leaves with prominent veining. These plants are sometimes described as fickle, but they thrive in stable environment with consistent temperatures. Keep it in bright light, and water about once every 1 to 2 weeks. Signs of an Overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig Too much water can be just as harmful, often leading to a condition called root rot. Here’s what to look out for: Brown spots near the center of the leaf: These dark patches often appear along the veins or in the middle, rather than on the edges.Fiddle-leaf figs look amazing when they’re healthy, but even these beauties have bad days. If you’ve got an unhealthy fiddle leaf fig, the signs usually show up fast – yellowing leaves, crispy brown edges, droopy stems, or spots that weren’t there last week.Fiddle leaf figs need more sunlight than you think. Signs that your plant needs more light include yellow or brown leaves, legginess, lack of growth, and leaf drop. Gradually acclimate your plant to the brightest space in your home—or consider other tall, lower-light plants instead.Fiddle Leaf Figs are not big fans of drafts or sudden changes in temperature. Cold drafts from windows or air conditioning can cause the leaves to drop.
Why are fiddle leaf figs so hard to care for?
Most of the big problems with fiddle leaf fig plants stem from too much water, not enough light, and poor drainage. Misting your fiddle leaf fig with regular tap water can cause a buildup of minerals on the leaves (hard water deposits) which prevent the plant from absorbing moisture. Sure, you can clean these spots off, but it’s tricky to do and they make your leaves look dull and dirty.Yes, cutting the lower leaves of your fiddle leaf fig is advisable. Removing these lower leaves encourages upward growth, redirects energy to upper foliage, and enhances the plant’s overall appearance.Bright, Indirect Light: Fiddle leaf figs flourish in bright, indirect light. Place them near a window with sheer curtains or at a distance from south or west-facing windows to shield them from intense, direct sunlight. This replicates the gentle, filtered light they would receive beneath the forest canopy.If your fiddle leaf fig tree has new growth, that’s a good sign. If the newest leaves are larger than the older leaves, that’s a great sign!Yes, Fiddle Leaf Figs like to dry out between waterings because it reduces the risks of overwatering your plant. So, the best time to water a Fiddle Leaf Fig is when the top 2-3” of the soil feels dry to the touch.
How to tell if a fiddle leaf fig is happy?
New growth is always a great sign of a healthy plant, and if the leaves on your Fiddle grow large and strong, that means your plant is thriving. However, if the new leaves grow in small and stunted, it could be a sign that your plant is lacking in nutrients. Fiddles will grow fairly bushy if you do nothing at all, but you might want to grow a few branches or prune a few damaged leaves.Severe leaf loss often indicates a serious problem that could also be affecting the roots, so healing the tree and encouraging it to grow again will take a lot of work, and it will be a long time before your tree is back to anything resembling its former glory. If you’re not up to it, it’s okay to get a new fiddle.
What is the lifespan of a fiddle leaf fig?
A: In general, fiddle leaf figs have a lifespan of 25 to 50 years. If grown indoors, they may live up to 15 years before reaching maturity. The majority of fiddle leaf fig plant owners are novice houseplant growers, and unfortunately, they sometimes see their fiddle leaf figs die between 1-5 years. So the answer to the question of how long do fiddle leaf fig plants live will depend on how well they’re cared for.Use a Fast-Draining Soil Fiddle leaf fig plants are susceptible to root rot and bacterial infections if their root system gets too soggy. To keep them healthy, use a fast-draining soil for houseplants. This provides even moisture and also aeration so the roots can breathe.In their native habitat, fiddle leaf fig trees grow up to 100 feet tall. Indoors, they can grow as tall as your ceilings allow. Many common varieties top out at 6 to 10 feet tall, growing 1 to 2 feet per year.Signs your fiddle leaf fig is ready for a drink includes: Slightly droopy leaves. Some wrinkling in younger leaves. Dry soil 2 to 4 inches below the surface (Use a moisture meter like this one for more accuracy!
Do fiddle leaf figs need direct sunlight?
Unlike other plants that can tolerate both low light and bright light environments (looking at you, monsteras! It needs to be put in a spot that has a lot of bright, indirect light. It also needs a few hours of direct sunlight every day. Do fiddle leaf figs like coffee grounds? Fiddle leaf figs do not like coffee grounds added to their potting medium. Coffee grounds are acidic and can impair the pH balance of your potting medium which will then impact the health of your fiddle leaf fig plant.Fiddle leaf figs don’t like too much water. If you overwater the plant, the soil will become waterlogged, potentially leading to root rot. As a result, your fiddle leaf fig will fail to absorb nutrients from the soil. You’ may notice the signs only when the leaves start to turn yellow and droop.What to put on fiddle leaf fig leaves: Milk? Milk is often used to give the leaves a nice shine for the same reasons as other substances (for its fat content), and any fat-based substance can potentially clog your leaves’ pores and lead to a bunch of problems while also increasing the leaves’ risk of sunburn.Spiritual Meaning of a Fiddle Leaf Fig? The Fiddle Leaf Fig has long been symbol of fertility, abundance, and good luck. The Fig’s large, lush leaves not only contribute to its aesthetic appeal but also symbolize growth, resilience, and the natural beauty of life’s imperfections.The good news is that there’s a foolproof way to water your fiddle leaf fig plant just the right amount: they only need to be watered once a week! Set a calendar reminder to water your plant no more than once a week.