Sharing tips about tips on how 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 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 tips on how to handle a lot of these vegetation.
I hesitated to jot down this put up 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 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 be known as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical timber 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 lovely houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your house and generally is a gorgeous, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor influence and can be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this put up, I’m sharing tried and examined tips about tips on how to handle 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 vegetation, and home vegetation is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be glad and get sufficient mild. Often, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it may possibly get a lot of daylight. These vegetation additionally are inclined to do nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. In case you dwell in an space that isn’t well-lit, you should utilize a develop mild. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and plenty of members use develop lights on their vegetation. Have a look across the space and ensure you don’t have AC vents that shall be blowing straight on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an effective factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar and robust direct daylight on the plant as a result of it may possibly 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 greatest. 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 ceaselessly) or the extra rare methodology (LOTS of watering about as soon as every 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, 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 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 won’t disturb the roots. This can assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulate 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 depart it alone.
A observe: fiddle leaf figs LOVE rain and I really feel like rainwater is so significantly better for vegetation than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply in another way. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation outdoors!
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’ll dwell. This manner, it may possibly have time to regulate to the lighting and setting earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just remember to use one thing that allows 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. Verify along with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest on your local weather.
Once 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 broaden. They really do higher after they’re barely sure, 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 larger. Vital: be certain that 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 forestall root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. In case you 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 brought on issues, so I finished utilizing it.) In case 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 a little bit humidity. In case you dwell in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic influence on the leaves. You possibly can 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 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 performed this for Frida, however could do this for Fred.
Enjoyable observe: 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 greatest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely crucial. (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 recent vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is glad, depart it alone haha. Some indicators you would possibly need to repot: the soil is pulling away from the perimeters and you may 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 you 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.) In case you 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, pals! That’s all I’ve bought for ya, and I’ll add extra to this put up as I consider new ideas.
Do you could have plant infants? Any nice ideas you’ve discovered over time? Please share all the fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!
xo
Gina
