Sharing recommendations on the way 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 dwelling.
Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on the way to maintain a lot of these crops.
I hesitated to put in writing this submit 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 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 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 nicely 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 lovely houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your house and could be a beautiful, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor affect and can be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this submit, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on the way to maintain 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 crops, and home crops is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be completely satisfied and get sufficient mild. Often, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it could actually get numerous daylight. These crops additionally are likely to do nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. In the event you reside in an space that isn’t well-lit, you need to 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 ensure you don’t have AC vents that will likely be blowing straight 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 actually 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. Brilliant, oblique mild is often finest. 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 continuously) or the extra rare methodology (LOTS of watering about as soon as per 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, 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 degree 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. This can assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulate by extra freely. A very good rule of thumb for the quantity of water to make use of: water till it begins to come back 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 a lot better for crops than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply in another way. If it rains, drag your sturdier crops 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 can reside. This fashion, it could actually 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 permits water to circulate by as an alternative 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 nicely. Examine together with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest to your local weather.
Whenever 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 certain, and plenty of fiddle leaf figs do nicely within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely greater. Necessary: be sure the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply circulate 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 stop root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. In the event you discover that it wants somewhat increase, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and induced issues, so I finished utilizing it.) In the event 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 the event you reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic affect on the leaves. You possibly can place a humidifier on low near your plant, or sometimes mist by hand. I take advantage of 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 fashion, 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 toes 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 suggest repotting if completely vital. (It will possibly trigger stress for the crops and we don’t wish to stress them out!) Some websites suggest repotting each 2-3 years to get contemporary 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 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 possibly can keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s numerous drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If you might want 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 the event you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with a couple of inches of soil, encompass with numerous contemporary new soil, and water.
Okay, pals! That’s all I’ve received 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 the entire fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!
xo
Gina
