Category: Plant Review

Don’t be fooled by the word “ficus”!  This is not your grandmother’s dusty sunroom ficus that may or may not be real.  Once you set your eyes on a well-pruned fiddle leaf fig, it is easy to see why they are the number-one indoor plant.  With its slender stem and broad, violin (or fiddle/lyre)-shaped leaves, the fiddle leaf fig has been a favorite for indoor plant lovers for over a decade.  From the crisp green leaves to the pencil-thin trunk, this house plant is an attention getter that is welcomed as a focal point for even the most luxurious locales.  Let’s dive in to the basics!

Getting to Know the Ficus lyrata

Taxonomic Hierarchy:

• Kingdom:  Plantae
• Phylum: Spermatophyta
• Class: Dicotyledonae
• Order: Rosales
• Family: Moraceae
• Genus: Ficus
• Species: Ficus lyrata or lyrata

 

• Growing Conditions: As natives of western and central Africa, the fiddle leaf fig thrives in warm, moist conditions with access to moderate amounts of sunlight.  Humidity plays a key factor in maintaining a happy and healthy plant.  Providing enough space for this plant to grow will help it reach its full potential, approximately 10 feet tall in its container.
• Temperature Range: Maintaining a consistent 60°F – 80°F range with high humidity will ensure your plant thrives. For our friends across the pond, 15°C to 27°C is ideal.
• Sunlight: This plant loves sunlight!  But not too much.  Approximately 5 to 8 hours of moderate sunlight from an east, south, or west-facing window will keep your plant happy.  Too much direct light will cause the leaves to burn, while too little light will cause leaves to yellow, ultimately leading to the leaves dropping from the plant.
• Water: Fiddle leaf figs are healthy drinkers.  However, the precise amount of water necessary can be difficult to determine as a new lyrata owner.  Once you’ve welcomed your plant to its forever home, check the soil.  If it is dry, water it.  Then check it weekly for about the first two months to get a feel for your plant’s habits.  Once settled, these plants can go two or more weeks without watering with the use of a proper sub-irrigation system.  For the best results, order your new fiddle leaf fig from Plantz with their PlantAssure Kit.  These systems eliminate the guess work from the watering cycle by creating a reservoir of water for the plant to access without any fear of damaging your new fiddle leaf fig by overwatering it. Please refer to our Watering Guide for detailed information on proper watering techniques.
• Winter Care: Winter brings new challenges for the fiddle leaf fig, even as an indoor plant.  As the seasons change, so does the amount of available sunlight.  As many people turn on the heat to get warm, the heat can dry out the air and reduce the humidity your plant needs to thrive. Keeping your plant away from vents or drafts will help its winter survival. One side effect of this seasonal change will be less growth by your beloved plant.  At this point a reduced water schedule is also recommended.  Transitioning your plant from outdoors to indoors may require further attention including potentially using grow lights to maintain your plant’s health.
• Nutrition: Plants need food, and this one is no exception.  However, much like people, it is important to moderate how much food is provided.  Too much or too little food are both bad.  Purchasing a fiddle leaf fig from a well-respected source, like com, will ensure your plant is happily fed at the time of purchase and should not require nourishment for approximately six months.  After those six months, a complete fertilizer created for indoor plants is required.  Ideally, this would be a high-quality fertilizer like Dyna-Gro Plant Nutrition.  After 12 months have elapsed since purchase (or six months after your first feeding), a quarterly feeding is enough to maintain the glory of your fiddle leaf fig .  As new leaves grow, make sure they are not coming in yellow.  If this is the case, your plant may need supplemental nutrition.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Frequently Asked Questions

Are fiddle leaf figs good indoor plants?

These plants require bright light.  As long as there is a south (preferable), east or west facing window in front of which your plant may call home, the F. lyrata should thrive in an indoor setting.  Of course, temperature, water, and nutrition are vital factors to maintaining a lush plant, without access to adequate sunlight, the plant will not thrive.  Simply, the fiddle leaf fig is a stunning indoor plant as long as it is provided the proper care and sunlight.

Are fiddle leaf figs hard to take care of?

Fiddle leaf figs are not for the faint of heart.  These are not the ideal plants for plant parents prone to forgetfulness. They require specific care.  However, much like adapting to a newborn baby, part of the process is learning and growing with your new plant.  The plant will show you if there is a problem, and you will need to adapt to your plants needs.  In return, this plant will grow to be a lush showstopper in any adequate space.

How much light does a fiddle leaf fig need?

As noted above, for optimal care, this plant should have moderately bright light for approximately 5 to 8 hours.  South facing windows are ideal, but east and west facing windows tend to also provide adequate sunlight.  While it does thrive in bright sunlight, keep an eye on the leaves.  They will alert you to any issues the plant may be having, including too much or too little light.

Why are fiddle leaf figs hard to keep alive?

Fiddle leaf figs require more attention than plants like the Sanseveria, or snake plant.  These plants require consistent love and attention in the form of food, water, space and sunlight.  Maintaining that consistency is vital to your plant’s health.  For some plant parents life gets in the way, and plants may be forgotten.  This particular plant requires consistency to thrive.  Without it, plant owners will find this plant difficult to maintain.

Do you find yourself to be more of a visual learner?  This video is packed with the information needed to get you started with your fiddle leaf fig.

Interior Design

What design style does a fiddle leaf fig look good in?

Fiddle leaf figs work well in sleek, modern spaces with a lot of head room.  The splash of color against white or light neutral-colored walls provides a stark contrast and allows those lush, vibrant green leaves to really stand out to become the focal point of the room.  These plants are great space fillers due to their leaf size and height.  Farmhouse designs also benefit from the use of fiddle leaf figs as it brings a bit of the outside environment to the indoors, providing the homeowners the added bonus of biophilic design in the home.  Further, including F. lyrata in your biophilic home design brings the added benefit of air purification and that sense of peace that only living plants can bring to the home.  Once these plants fully mature to their potential, proper placement will allow you to shrink the size of any overly elevated ceiling, bringing a sense of warmth to the room.

Are fiddle leaf figs good for a home or office?

The simple answer to this is a resounding YES!  As long as there is adequate sunlight, the fiddle leaf fig is the perfect addition to any home or office.  Both homes and offices benefit not only from the aesthetic beauty of these unique plants, but also, through the inclusion of biophilic design the people serving these locations, whether they are residents, employees, or simply visitors to location, through the many health benefits created by the incorporation of plants into our many spaces.  From increased feelings of well being to air purification, incorporating plants into our spaces makes us healthier. The fiddle leaf fig is no exception, as long as it is placed in a space that provides proper sunlight.  Once these plants reach maturity, much like in home design, they are excellent ways to fill blank, dreary office walls or create separation between spaces.  The days of the laminate, chipboard cubicles are over.  Plants are the new cubicle divider!

Is a fiddle leaf fig a tree or a bush?

Plant lovers will be happy to note that the fiddle leaf fig can be a tree or a bush!  It is all a matter of pruning.  The differences between the bush form and the tree form lie in the height, trunk and branches of the plant.  The plant will tend towards the bush form; however, with careful attention and precise pruning, training your bush to become a tree is worthwhile work.  First, be patient.  Your plant will need time to grow before you can train it to be a tree.  When the bush has grown to the desired height, that is when the branching begins.  This may be achieved through pruning or notching.  Pruning the tip sends a signal to the plant that its upward growth has been impeded and creates new branched out shoots as a means of survival.  Finally, the last piece of the puzzle is the trunk.  Many plant owners want to maximize the visibility of the slender trunk characteristic of fiddle leaf figs.  However, be careful not to prune too much from the bottom as they will not grow back.  Have an idea of the length of bare bark you are looking for before you bring out the shears.  There’s no going back once they are trimmed.  Some plants will surprise you with multiple trunks!  Many times this is due to multiple plants in the same container.  You then have the option of separating these into multiple plants in different containers.

What style of pot would you put your fiddle leaf fig in and how will it change the look of the room?

In order to determine what pot to use and how it will affect the flow of your interior design, there are some basics to be addressed.  First, the pot should have access to drainage, so any excessive water has a place to go instead of remaining in the soil.  Second, the pot should not be too big.  When repotting, aim for an increase of 6 inches in diameter.  Applying both proper drainage with a proper pot size will reduce the likelihood of root rot in your plant. One way to ensure you are using the right pot is to utilize nursery pots as they have the perfect drainage holes, then put the nursery pot inside a decorative pot that is coordinated with your chosen décor.  For those recreating the rustic farmhouse interior, decorative pots in neutral colors or made of natural materials, like jute or wood, will blend seamlessly with the interior design.

How to Take Proper Care of the Fiddle Leaf Fig

• Repotting: Repotting is necessary for your fiddle leaf fig in order to allow it the right amount of space to grow and thrive.  As the plant grows, the roots continue to grow and expand in the container, eventually running out of room.  To keep the roots healthy and capable of absorbing nutrients, they need their space.  Younger plants may need to be repotted once a year depending on their growth spurts.  When repotting, the general rule of thumb is to use a pot that is 6 inches wider in diameter than the current pot.  This allows the plant enough room to grow without increasing its susceptibility to root rot.  Because of their tropical nature, it is best to repot these plants during the spring or early summer, depending on the temperature of your area and coinciding with your locale’s growing season.  This allows the plant to acclimate to its new home during its peak growing season, minimizing the effects of shock from the repotting process.  Soil that has a mildly acidic pH and drains well is vital to repotting.  Watering the freshly repotted plant also aids the plant in recovering from the shock that occurs, plus it helps the roots settle in their new container.

 

• Lighting Guide: Sunlight is the most crucial component in the care of your fiddle leaf fig.  Without the right amount of light, no amount of fertilizing, watering or repotting is going to help your plant reach its full vibrant potential.  For indoor plants, placing them in south facing windows, mimicking the pattern of the sun through the sky, provides the right amount of sun necessary for these plants to thrive.  East and west facing windows are also great locations, with some extra attention being required for west-facing windows, as the heat from that afternoon sun could potentially burn the leaves, especially in the southern portion of the United States.  In the winter, as the amount of daily sunlight is limited, especially in the very northern latitudes, it may be necessary to supplement natural sunlight.   Fortunately, scientists have developed grow lights that will help keep tropical and semitropical indoor plants thriving, even in tundra regions.

 

• Other Helpful Tips and Suggestions: com has a wealth of knowledge on the F. lyrata.  From tips on cleaning those big green leaves (especially important in the winter when any dirt and debris may interfere with the plant’s ability to absorb sunlight) with water or a solution of mild soap and water to the best ways to prune your plant and the effects pruning will have on your plant (to maintain the plant’s height and girth, the cuts should be made just above the area where the leaf attaches to the stem) to warnings to pet owners about any portion of the plant that may be harmful to our multi-legged friends (for the fiddle leaf fig, the sap is poisonous to dogs, cats, and horses, and is even a known irritant to humans), Plantz.com is a great guide for beginner and well versed fiddle leaf fig owners.  They will even ship your new fiddle leaf fig directly to you!

Little Known Facts about the F. Lyrata

Does it flower or bear fruit?

At the end of the day, F. lyrata is still a fig tree, and in its natural habitat, it regularly flowers and bears fruit.  However, once removed from its ideal conditions in the wild, the indoor versions of these plants rarely, if ever, flower and bear fruit.  For outdoor plants, not confined to container living, on the rare occasion, these plants will flower and bear fruit.  Unfortunately, the figs produced by this particular species are not the ones your family uses to make a warm figgy pudding.  While these fruits may not be toxic if eaten, they are not known to delight the tastebuds.

Is this an indoor plant or an outdoor plant?

Well, it’s true to say that all plants are “outdoor” plants because that’s where they all come from, with some consistent care and attention, these plants make beautiful additions to any room with the right amount of sunlight.  They can be integrated into almost any well light space, pruned to the perfect size or given free range to grow to its full splendor.  They also excel as outdoor plants.  The best way for them to succeed outdoors is to find a way to mimic its natural humid habitat, with full mid-day sun and some protection from the intense afternoon rays.  Aside from the fiddle leaf fig being the perfect focal point in a well-appointed room, the other real advantage of the indoor version of this plant is that you can adapt its surroundings to optimal growth conditions during any season of the year, in ant location around the world.

Is What Is the Spiritual Meaning of a Fiddle Leaf Fig?

The fiddle leaf fig has long been symbol of fertility, abundance, and good luck. This plant is also popular for use by people who adhere to feng shui spatial arranging principles. For many who practice feng shui, it is more than simply an aspect of interior design, it is a way of life that directs the flow of energy through a given space.  It is believed that with the proper feng shui placement of a fiddle leaf fig, the plant’s broad, green leaves will cleanse the air by neutralizing negative energy and allowing more positive energy to flow through the room thereby increasing the chances for good luck and prosperity.

What are the benefits of the fiddle leaf fig?

It has been well documented that the incorporation of plants into our indoor spaces has a marked improvement on both our physical and mental well-being.  Employers are now using the incorporation of plants into the workspace as a way to bring people back into the office and away from telecommuting.  They are trying to mimic the peace and tranquility of the home through the use of greenery.  From air purification to reduced blood pressure levels, it is clear that plants are good for people.  The fiddle leaf fig is no exception.  When the general aesthetic pleasure of the fiddle leaf fig is combined with general plant traits that are attributed to a healthier human well-being, it is easily understood why this plant has been the number one most popular house plant for the last several years.

Where Can I Buy a Fiddle Leaf Fig?

Due to their immense popularity, the fiddle leaf fig is a mainstay in many corporate, big box stores; however, from one plant lover to another, if you want a well-treated, fresh, and healthy plant to grace your home, locating a vendor that treats these little beauties with love and respect is important.  While local nurseries will usually fit the bill, businesses like Plantz.com will exceed your expectations, offering plants of varying sizes in a wide array of containers to fit your décor needs.  Plantz.com is not just your every day run of the mill online plant vendor.  Starting as a small plant business in the 1970s, Plantz.com has grown into the business that people know they can rely on for the delivery of high-quality indoor plants from almost every region of the world.  They love your fiddle leaf fig almost as much as you do!

 

 

 

Cleo came to Tamara about 8 months ago. After sending us her progress in July, she just sent us another update.

The beautiful Cleo is a 14″ Standard Tree Fiddle Leaf Fig. “Cleo is now 8 months old and doing great as you can see. I finally figured out how to water her in the fall/winter.”  

We at Plantz love to hear about the green babies you’ve at home. Please send us your stories and pictures of your favorites Plantz.

Some of our customers took the time to email us with their thoughts on the latest green installations in their homes and offices. Here is what they said.

Derek in AK- Lyrata “The plant made it to Kodiak yesterday on a sunny and balmy almost 60 degree

day, which was well timed. Thank you so much for the moss which was a great addition and the soil sleuth,

which I expect will be helpful keeping it going!

We recently delivered some greenery to our friends at Rite Aid!

With little window exposure and minimal natural sunlight, we had to make sure we found PLANTZ that could stay healthy in these conditions.

They made the perfect choices, with a beautiful Janet Craig and a low-maintenance natural air purifier, a Snake Plant!

Janet Craig found her home in the corner, and as a low-light lover she is going to thrive here.

On the other hand, the Snake Plant was placed perfectly in between some waiting room chairs in the pharmacy.

Not only does this provide personal space to the customers and patients, but the Sansevieria serves a second purpose, as a natural air purifier. NASA conducted a clean air study, and they found the Snake Plant does an excellent job of eliminating pollutants from our air space.

About a year after a beautiful Bamboo Palm landed in Longboat, FL, Debbie has caught back up with PLANTZ to flaunt her foliage!

Debbie’s 14″ Bamboo Palm thrives in medium-light, and next to the window is clearly where she is meant to be. Besides its striking similarities to Bamboo, a fun fact about the Bamboo Palm is that this baby is on NASA’s list of air-purifying plants from their Clean Air Study.

It’s starting to seem like plants do more for us than we do for them!

But, we do spy a yellow soil sleuth! The sleuth is truly a staple for any plant parents’ toolbox, solving the age-old mystery of gauging how wet your PLANTZ’ soil is and allows you to water accordingly.

If you’re looking for a versatile plant – this is your guy.

We were so excited to receive this update from Debbie and her beautiful Bamboo Palm, and we are eagerly awaiting our 2nd-year update!

 

 

Sharon surprised her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson with a giant Kentia Palm and the Chicago family is LOVING their live addition.

Topped with Preserved Mood Moss, their 12″ Kentia is doing what it does best and making a tropical statement in their brand new Chi-Town living room!

The Kentia Palm is grown in both Florida and Hawaii, but both prefer evenly moist soil. Florida soils hold more water, while lava-rock Hawaiian soils drain more readily. Thoroughly water your Kentia for best results, and with a PlantAssure Sub-Irrigation System, this baby can go up to a month without a fuss.

Kentia’s also have one of the lowest light requirements of all palms, but keeping them in medium to bright filtered light will be best to keep your Kentia thriving, and keep your neighbors and friends jealous!

 

Sharon said, “The plant looks very healthy and in good shape. My daughter, son-in-law, and grandson like this Kentia Palm very much. Thanks, again, for your help!

Thank you for sharing, Sharon! We can’t wait to keep up with this Kentia.

 

Daniel is accumulating quite the plant collection in California and we are LOVING the updates that come with it!

Charlie and Ollie, Daniel’s doggies, can make anyone smile! Add PLANTZ to the mix and you get perfection.

Since we last shared Daniel’s plant journey, he has added at least half a dozen greens to the group!!!

To start simple, he went with a classic Snake Plant to compliment his office, as a low-light, low-maintenance plant that also purifies the air, it seems like a no-brainer to add one of these babies to any empty corner! Ollie and Charlie took a field trip to check this one out and, they seem impressed.

Next up, an Aglaonema and a Monstera found their forever homes in Daniel’s living room – right next to his Bamboo Palm that you might recognize!

Last but not least, Daniel was one of the first to get his hands on our new Fishtail Palm, and it looks fabulous among his impressive plant collection!

He reported, “The fishtail arrived early and it’s awesome! Even bigger than I expected which is always a pleasant surprise.”

Big PLANTZ are the best PLANTZ, here it is:

Bonus picture of Charlie, Ollie & Co. during playtime! Thank you for always sharing your amazing pictures of your amazing PLANTZ with us, Daniel! We can’t wait to see your next pick.

 

PLANTZ had the pleasure of sending several green roommates to Carl in Greenwich, Connecticut!

As a dedicated plant parent, he could not choose just one (we wouldn’t either).

First up, the Tarzan is one of our favorites, and he chose a stunning arrangement for his 14″ Tarzan Tree.

Placed right next to a window in our Black Phoenix Cylinder Planter and topped with Preserved Mood Moss, Carl’s Tarzan is bound to thrive! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He also went with a White Bird of Paradise to bring an elegant and tropical touch to his Connecticut home. The White Bird needs lots of light to thrive, so Carl set this baby up in front of his other large window!

He finished his living room off by adding an Aglaonema to his end table. Also known as the Chinese Evergreen, these are one of the easiest plants to care for, and their unique patterns stand out among other greens. Carl keeps his near a window for good measure.

We are blown away by Carl’s Connecticut Castle and the fantastic foliage he chose to decorate with. This is his one-month check-in and we cannot wait for the next one!

He shares, “I’ve had my beautiful plants for just over a month now, and they are thriving!  Thank you, Plantz.com, for not only providing me with a beautiful houseplant for my living room, but for the outstanding service and support that goes along with it.  I enthusiastically recommend Plantz.com without reservation!

Massimo’s 12″ Rhapis Palm was recently delivered to his New Hampshire home all the way from Hawaii!

He is thrilled with his choice – “ I love it! Below is a picture of my beautiful new addition to my collection, I am so very pleased with my plant! This is my first time buying a plant from your company and so far very, very pleased! In fact so pleased that yesterday I ordered a second one😊!  Thank you again and again for all your help!!!” Massimo gushed!

The Rhapis does best in moderate filtered light and needs to stay on the moist side to thrive! At PLANTZ, we recommend our PlantAssure Sub-Irrigation System to be safe! Massimo did just that, and even ordered a Soil Sleuth for good measure.

We carry Lady Palm’s from Florida and Hawaii, so you get to choose the source of your new tropical tree.

We are so happy to see the Rhapis Palm flourishing, and we cannot wait to see the second round of greens Massimo chose!

 

A 14″ Ficus Audrey found its home all the way in California!

Ling originally ordered a smaller Audrey but decided to upgrade to the fourteen-inch Ficus instead.

The Ficus Audrey has taken the plant community and the interior design industry by storm. Fitting in just about any corner, it is easy to see why.

 The Ficus benghalensis, better known to us as ‘Audrey’, is racing to beat the Fiddle Leaf as the most popular fig because of its forgiving features and funky foliage!

Ling shared a picture of her fantastic Ficus with a note, “I’m so thrilled with my new tree and really happy I upgraded to a bigger size –  many thanks to you and the team.”

We can’t wait to watch this Ficus and its progress!

Cleo joined Tamara in her home back in April, and we’re back to check on her progress!

Cleo is a 14″ Standard Tree Fiddle Leaf Fig and she is THRIVING!

Tamara knows how to care for a Fiddle, placing her right next to a large window, Cleo was bound to do well.

Tamara shared, “Just wanted to give you an update on how Cleo is doing. She seems to be thriving in her location. I’ve got the watering schedule down now so all is good. I spoil her with a morning spritz every day! Thanks so much for all your help!”

Also know as a Ficus lyrata, the Fiddle Leaf Fig is famous for needing lots of natural light, the perfect amount of water, and overall, a little more attention than your average greens!

We have to mention, Tamara uses a soil sleuth to keep Cleo looking this good!

The PLANTZ team can’t wait for Cleo’s next check-in!

PLANTZ is always pleased to see our customers and their satisfaction when they finally get their hands on the greens!

Karen recently received her Lisa Cane all the way in Birmingham, Michigan and she could not be happier.

The Lisa Cane is from the Dracaena family, and happens to be one of the lowest light requirements of all of our PLANTZ! It also made the trek all the way from Hawaii, so Lisa is used to lower water levels.

Karen did a lovely job potting her Lisa Cane, and even added some of our Fiberex American Moss into the mix to perfect the presentation.

We can’t wait for an update on this flexible foliage!