Sharing recommendations on the way to handle a fiddle leaf fig tree, how usually 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 residence.
Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on the way to handle some of these crops.
I hesitated to put in writing this put up 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 worry 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 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 timber that do extraordinarily effectively outside 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 stunning houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your area and generally is a beautiful, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor impression 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 the way to handle a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and hold it trying 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 blissful and get sufficient gentle. Often, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it will possibly get a lot of daylight. These crops additionally are likely to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. Should 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 plenty of members use develop lights on their crops. Have a look across the space and be sure you don’t have AC vents that will likely be blowing immediately on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an effective factor, be careful for an excessive amount of scorching solar and powerful direct daylight on the plant as a result of it will possibly trigger sunburn. We have now one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten exterior and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Brilliant, oblique gentle is often greatest. 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 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 taking place. 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 degree 2 or 3, after which I soak the heck out of it. I’ll use 4 massive 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. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to movement by extra freely. A superb 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 observe: 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 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 should stay. This manner, it will possibly have time to regulate to the lighting and atmosphere earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just remember to use one thing that permits water to movement 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 effectively. Verify along with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest to your local weather.
While 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 develop. They really do higher once they’re barely certain, and plenty of fiddle leaf figs do effectively within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely greater. Essential: make sure that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply movement 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. Should you discover that it wants just a little 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.) Should you select to make use of fertilizer, do that twice a yr: 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. Should you stay in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic impression 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 manner, dusty leaves don’t hinder the flexibility 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 finished this for Frida, however might do that for Fred.
Enjoyable observe: 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 greatest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely mandatory. (It could trigger stress for the crops and we don’t wish to stress them out!) Some websites suggest repotting each 2-3 years to get recent vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is blissful, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you may wish to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides and you’ll see a lot of roots, a bacterial an infection (a lot of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You possibly can keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s a lot of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If it’s essential repot, shake off the surplus soil from the roots, and trim away any of the roots’ ends which might be overgrown. (It’s like giving it a haircut.) Should you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with just a few inches of soil, encompass with a lot of recent new soil, and water.
Okay, buddies! That’s all I’ve received for ya, and I’ll add extra to this put up as I consider new ideas.
Do you will have plant infants? Any nice ideas you’ve realized over time? Please share the entire fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!
xo
Gina
