Sharing recommendations on how you can deal with 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 dwelling.

Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I typically get questions on how you can deal with the following tips for crops.

I hesitated to write down this put up as a result of I was a infamous plant killer. 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 put up, 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 referred to as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical timber that do extraordinarily properly open air in average 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 influence and can also be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.

On this put up, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on how you can deal with a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and hold 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 comfortable. Normally, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it might probably get a lot of daylight. These crops additionally are inclined to do properly in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. For those who dwell in an space that isn’t well-lit, you should 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 might be blowing instantly on the plant.

Whereas the solar is an effective factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar on the plant as a result of it might probably trigger sunburn. We’ve got one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten exterior and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Vivid, oblique mild is often finest. Lightening circumstances make all of the distinction.

Watering

Okay, so there are fairly a couple 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, attempting to determine what the heck was occurring. A sport 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 massive 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. This can assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to move by extra freely. An excellent 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 a lot better for crops than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply otherwise. If it rains, drag your sturdier crops exterior!

Potting Medium

Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, hold it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your home the place it is going to dwell. This fashion, it might probably have time to regulate to the lighting and surroundings earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just be sure you use one thing that permits water to move 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 properly. Test along with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate to your local weather.

If you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an infinite pot as the basis system doesn’t want a ton of room to increase. They really do higher once 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 measurement, or barely greater. Necessary: ensure the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply move by. I additionally wish 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. For those who discover that it wants a little bit increase, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and induced issues, so I ended utilizing it.) For those who 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. For those who dwell 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 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 this 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 advocate repotting if completely obligatory. (It could possibly trigger stress for the crops and we don’t wish 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 comfortable, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you may wish to repot: the soil is pulling away from the perimeters 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 you should 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.) For those who 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, mates! That’s all I’ve acquired for ya, and I’ll add extra to this put up as I consider new suggestions.

Do you’ve plant infants? Any nice suggestions you’ve realized over time? Please share the entire fiddle leaf fig care suggestions with us!

xo

Gina