Sharing recommendations on the best way to maintain a fiddle leaf fig tree, how typically to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these essential questions!
Meet Frida Kahlo. She’s our attractive 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 typically get questions on the best way to maintain all these crops.
I hesitated to put in writing this publish 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 worry that as SOON as I publish this publish, 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 referred to as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical bushes that do extraordinarily properly outdoor 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 stunning houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your house and is usually a gorgeous, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor affect and can be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this publish, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on the best way to maintain a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and preserve 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 satisfied and get sufficient gentle. Normally, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it could possibly get a lot of daylight. These crops additionally are inclined to do properly in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. In case you reside in an space that isn’t 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 shall be blowing straight on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an efficient factor, be careful for an excessive amount of scorching solar and robust direct daylight on the plant as a result of it could possibly trigger sunburn. We now have 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 often greatest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.
Watering
Okay, so there are fairly a couple of strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity often) 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 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 won’t disturb the roots. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to move by extra freely. 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 be aware: 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 a different way. If it rains, drag your sturdier crops exterior!
Potting Medium
Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, preserve it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your home the place it’s going to reside. This manner, it could possibly 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 by 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 properly. Test along with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate on 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 develop. They really do higher once they’re barely sure, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do properly within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that dimension, or barely larger. Essential: be certain that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply move by. 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 and forestall root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. In case you discover that it wants somewhat enhance, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and induced issues, so I ended utilizing it.) In case 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. In case 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 often mist by hand. I take advantage of 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 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 be aware: 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 advocate repotting if completely needed. (It could actually trigger stress for the crops 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 completely satisfied, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you would possibly need to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides and you’ll see a lot of roots, a bacterial an infection (a lot of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You may keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s a lot of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If it’s good to 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.) In case you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with a couple of inches of soil, encompass with a lot of recent new soil, and water.
Okay, pals! That’s all I’ve obtained for ya, and I’ll add extra to this publish 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
