Sharing recommendations on methods to deal with a fiddle leaf fig tree, how usually to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these vital 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 usually get questions on methods to deal with a lot of these vegetation.
I hesitated to jot down this publish as a result of I was a infamous plant killer and killed a number of indoor vegetation. 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 high ideas 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 bushes that do extraordinarily nicely open air 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 stunning houseplant that may add to the aesthetic enchantment of your area and could be a beautiful, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor affect and can also be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this publish, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on methods to deal with 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 vegetation, and home vegetation is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be comfortable and get sufficient gentle. Often, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it might probably get a number of daylight. These vegetation additionally are likely to do nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. When you stay in an space that’s not well-lit, you should use a develop gentle. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and lots of members use develop lights on their vegetation. Have a look across the space and ensure you don’t have AC vents that will likely be blowing instantly 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 might probably trigger sunburn. We’ve 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 normally finest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.
Watering
Okay, so there are fairly just a few strategies right here: the cup technique (watering a small quantity incessantly) or the extra rare technique (LOTS of watering about as soon as per 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 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 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 is not going to disturb the roots. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulation by way of 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 depart it alone.
A notice: fiddle leaf figs LOVE rain and I really feel like rainwater is so a lot better for vegetation than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply otherwise. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation exterior!
Potting Medium
Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, maintain it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your own home the place it would stay. This manner, 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 allows water to circulation by way of as a substitute 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 nicely. Examine together with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest in your local weather.
Whenever you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an unlimited pot as the basis system doesn’t want a ton of room to broaden. They really do higher after they’re barely sure, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do nicely within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that dimension, or barely larger. Vital: ensure the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply circulation by way of. 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 way of and stop root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. When you discover that it wants just a little enhance, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and prompted issues, so I finished utilizing it.) When 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 just a little humidity. When you stay in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic affect on the leaves. You’ll be able to 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 completed this for Frida, however might do that for Fred.
Enjoyable notice: 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 vegetation are finest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely mandatory. (It may possibly trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t need 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 comfortable, depart it alone haha. Some indicators you may need to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides and you’ll see a number of roots, a bacterial an infection (a number of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You’ll be able to keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s a number of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If you’ll want to 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.) When you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with just a few inches of soil, encompass with a number of contemporary new soil, and water.
Okay, pals! That’s all I’ve received for ya, and I’ll add extra to this publish as I consider new ideas.
Do you will have plant infants? Any nice ideas you’ve realized over time? Please share all the fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!
xo
Gina
