Growing Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees: How to Take Care of Them

Growing Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees: How to Take Care of Them

Fiddle Leaf Fig trees have been a trend in home décor for a decade.  They are gorgeous trees with thin stalks and glossy, broad, fiddle-shaped leaves (hence the “fiddle” in Fiddle Leaf Fig).  These trees have a striking appearance and will command attention in any room.

What is a fiddle leaf fig tree?

The fiddle leaf fig tree, or Ficus lyrate, is a plant lover’s dream.  With the proper love and attention, these beauties will stand proudly as a tropical focal point in any well-lit room.  They are native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa and are large, growing up to 50 feet in height in the wild.  With proper care, they will reach a height of around 10 feet indoors.  In its native environment, these trees produce edible fruits, but not the figs we are used to eating in our figgy pudding.  These fruits, while non-toxic, are unpleasant with a tart flavor and a mouth-drying effect. Outdoor fiddle leaf fig trees may bear fruit even when outside of its native environment; however, indoor fiddle leaf figs won’t produce any fruit.  They are ornamental indoor plants.  In order to bear fruit, the tree needs more sunlight than it can get indoors, and it also requires pollination.

The leaves of the fiddle leaf fig tree start out small and light green, but as those leaves mature, they turn a beautiful dark green color.  Because their leaves are so large, fiddle leaf figs are great air purifiers as their leaves capture toxins like formaldehyde and benzene and release oxygen into the air.  Simply having a fiddle leaf fig in your home will boost your mood and your well-being.

Does it matter how much sunlight Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees get?

Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree care can take a little time to get used to.  They can be persnickety when it comes to proper sunlight.  This plant needs a lot of light. Approximately 5 to 8 hours’ worth of bright, indirect sunlight is ideal.  Add in some ambient light when the sun isn’t so bright, and your plant should thrive.  If you are unable to provide a significant amount of sunlight for your Fiddle Leaf Fig, we recommend looking at other plant options for lower light areas.    Avoid north facing windows as these windows generally get less sunlight, and the fiddle leaf fig will not thrive there.  East, west, and south-facing windows are all ideal for this luxurious tree.

Of course, too much direct light will cause the leaves to get brown and crispy, while not enough light will cause the leaves to yellow as the tree’s ability to photosynthesize is reduced with a lack of sunlight.  Other signs that your fiddle leaf fig may not be getting the right amount of light include droopy lower leaves that eventually drop, shedding leaves, or brown leaf margins.

How to water Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees

As fiddle leaf figs require a lot of sunlight, they also get drier quicker and need more water.  However, overwatering your fiddle leaf fig is a bad idea and may cause serious damage like root rot.  The best practice for watering your fiddle leaf fig is to use a system like the PlantAssure Kit from PLANTZ.  These are sub-irrigation kits that take the guesswork out of watering your plant, ensuring no root rot will take down your home’s lush shrubbery.  They function by creating a reservoir at the bottom of the pot and using four wicks that absorb water from the reservoir and bring it up to the soil for the plant.  Using systems like these reduces the number of times your fiddle leaf fig will need to be watered.  If a sub-irrigation system is not right for you, then investing in a Soil Sleuth is the next best thing.  These probes gauge the soil moisture and will show you whether or not it is time to water your plant.  For a more in depth analysis on watering your plants, check out PLANTZ’s Watering Guide.  The watering guide provides useful information not only for fiddle leaf figs, but also for all of your house plants.

Signs your plant may be having water issues include dropping and dropping lower leaves and mushy leaf spots.  The process of elimination will help you in determining whether your plant is suffering from a sunlight or a watering issue.  If you are confident the tree is receiving enough sunlight, make sure you are watering your plant properly, or stop speculating and invest in a sub-irrigation system or moisture gauge to ensure your plant survives.

What is the best fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig trees?

Nutrition is another important factor in fiddle leaf fig tree care.  When ordering fiddle leaf fig trees from PLANTZ, your new plant will not need any additional fertilizer during the first six months of caring for it.  The soil is packed full of the nutrients your plant needs, thereby making fertilization unnecessary when you receive it.  After those six months, a quarterly dose of a complete fertilizer is the best path for your plant.  Foliage-Plus from Dyna-Gro is a great option for the fiddle leaf fig.  It contains a complete set of macro- and micronutrients for long lasting plants.  Your plant will also give you signs that it may need additional nutrition.  Keep an eye out for new leaves.  If they grow in yellow, consider supplementing your normal fertilization routine with an extra dose.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a showstopper plant for your home or office, the fiddle leaf fig tree is for you.  Their large, lush green leaves are breath taking and coupled with their slender stalks, there is no finer focal point for your space.  These plants are perfect for creating a peaceful atmosphere by purifying the air, increasing oxygen, and helping you boost your mood and relax.  Create that zen-like atmosphere in your home or office today.  Contact PLANTZ.com to learn how to get a fiddle leaf fig shipped right to your front door.

FAQs

  1. Is the Fiddle Leaf Fig an indoor or outdoor plant? They can be either. As an outdoor plant, your fiddle leaf fig will have access to brighter light and pollinators which can lead to it bearing fruit.  Indoor plants will not get the same amount of bright light nor access to pollinators, so they will not bear fruit.  If you want the fiddle leaf fig as an indoor plant, remember to find a bright sunny place for it.
  2. Is Fiddle Leaf Fig care worth the work? The simple answer is yes.  They are generally easy to take care of as long as they have a space that provides bright light, and you adapt to the right watering schedule.  Use the PLANTZ Watering Guide to help you navigate the world of indoor plant watering and let that showstopping beauty make you the talk of your neighborhood.
  3. Are Fiddle Leaf Figs a tree or a bush?  They can be either.  The plant tends to grow more in a bush form, but with careful attention and precise pruning you can train your fiddle leaf fig to grow into a tree.  The key here is patience.  It takes a while for these plants to grow before you can train it.