Sharing recommendations on tips on how to maintain 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 house.
Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on tips on how to maintain the following pointers for crops.
I hesitated to write down this submit 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 worry 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 referred to as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical bushes that do extraordinarily properly outside in average and humid environments.
Over the previous 10 years or so, they’ve surged in reputation. Fiddle leaf figs generally grace journal covers, Instagram, and Pinterest posts.
It’s a lovely houseplant that may add to the aesthetic enchantment of your area and generally is 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 submit, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on tips on how to maintain 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 completely happy. Normally, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it could possibly get numerous daylight. These crops additionally are likely to do properly in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. If you happen to dwell in an space that isn’t well-lit, you should use a develop mild. 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 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 could possibly trigger sunburn. We’ve got one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten exterior and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Vivid, oblique mild is often finest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.
Watering
Okay, so there are fairly just a few strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity ceaselessly) or the extra rare methodology (LOTS of watering about as soon as every 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, attempting to determine what the heck was occurring. 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 is not going to disturb the roots. This can assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to move by extra freely. A very good 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 word: 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 otherwise. If it rains, drag your sturdier crops exterior!
Potting Medium
Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, hold it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your own home the place it would 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 remember to use one thing that allows water to move by 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 properly. Verify along with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate in your local weather.
If 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 broaden. They really do higher after they’re barely sure, and plenty 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: be certain that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply move by. 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 by and stop root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is flourishing. If you happen to discover that it wants a bit of enhance, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and triggered issues, so I ended utilizing it.) If you happen to 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. If you happen to dwell in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic impression on the leaves. You may 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 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 accomplished this for Frida, however might do that for Fred.
Enjoyable word: 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 advocate repotting if completely vital. (It might probably trigger stress for the crops 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 completely happy, depart it alone haha. Some indicators you may wish to repot: the soil is pulling away from the perimeters and you’ll see numerous roots, a bacterial an infection (numerous brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You may keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s numerous drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If you could repot, shake off the surplus soil from the roots, and trim away any of the roots’ ends which are overgrown. (It’s like giving it a haircut.) If you happen to see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with just a few inches of soil, encompass with numerous contemporary new soil, and water.
Okay, associates! That’s all I’ve obtained for ya, and I’ll add extra to this submit as I consider new ideas.
Do you’ve got plant infants? Any nice ideas you’ve discovered over time? Please share all the fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!
xo
Gina