Sharing tips about the right 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 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 the right way to care for these kinds of vegetation.
I hesitated to write down this submit 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 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 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 known as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical timber that do extraordinarily properly 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 could be a gorgeous, 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 submit, I’m sharing tried and examined tips about the right way to care for 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 vegetation, and home vegetation is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be pleased and get sufficient gentle. Often, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it could get numerous daylight. These vegetation additionally are likely to do properly in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. When you reside in an space that’s not well-lit, you need to use a develop gentle. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and plenty of members use develop lights on their vegetation. Have a look across the space and ensure you don’t have AC vents that might be blowing immediately on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an efficient factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar and robust direct daylight on the plant as a result of it could 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. Vivid, oblique gentle is often greatest. 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 continuously) 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 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 stage 2 or 3, after which I soak the heck out of it. I’ll use 4 giant 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. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to movement by means of 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 go away it alone.
A observe: 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 otherwise. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation outdoors!
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 should reside. This manner, it could 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 allows water to movement by means of 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. Examine along with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate in your local weather.
Whenever 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 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 dimension, or barely larger. Necessary: make certain the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply movement by means of. I additionally prefer to put small rocks on the backside of a pot earlier than including the plant and soil, so water can simply transfer by means of 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 somewhat increase, 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 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 somewhat humidity. When you reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a constructive influence 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 could do that for Fred.
Enjoyable observe: 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 vegetation are greatest left alone, so I’d solely advocate repotting if completely vital. (It could trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t need to stress them out!) Some websites advocate repotting each 2-3 years to get recent vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is pleased, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you would possibly need to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides and you may 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’ll want to 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 numerous recent new soil, and water.
Okay, mates! That’s all I’ve obtained for ya, and I’ll add extra to this submit as I consider new suggestions.
Do you will have plant infants? Any nice suggestions you’ve realized over time? Please share all the fiddle leaf fig care suggestions with us!
xo
Gina
