Sharing recommendations on handle 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 beautiful 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 handle these kinds of 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 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 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 referred to as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical bushes that do extraordinarily effectively 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 stunning houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your area and is usually a beautiful, 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 recommendations on handle a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and maintain 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 vegetation, and home vegetation is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be joyful and get sufficient mild. Normally, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it may possibly get a lot of daylight. These vegetation additionally are likely to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. In the event you reside 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 vegetation. Have a look across the space and be sure to 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 may 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 mild is often greatest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.
Watering
Okay, so there are fairly a number of strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity incessantly) 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, attempting to determine what the heck was occurring. 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 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 is not going to disturb the roots. This can assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to circulation by means of extra freely. A superb 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 word: 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 in a different way. 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 home the place it can reside. This fashion, it may possibly 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 circulation by means of as a substitute 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. Test together with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest to your local weather.
If 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 once they’re barely sure, and plenty of fiddle leaf figs do effectively within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that dimension, or barely greater. Vital: be certain that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply circulation by means 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 means of 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 just a little enhance, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and brought about issues, so I finished utilizing it.) In the event 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. In the event you reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic influence on the leaves. You’ll be able to place a humidifier on low near your plant, or often mist by hand. I exploit 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 fashion, 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 executed this for Frida, however might do that for Fred.
Enjoyable word: 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 vegetation are greatest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely crucial. (It may well trigger stress for the vegetation 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 joyful, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you would possibly wish to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides and you may see a lot of roots, a bacterial an infection (a lot of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You’ll be able to keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s a lot of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If it’s good 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 number of inches of soil, encompass with a lot of recent new soil, and water.
Okay, buddies! That’s all I’ve bought for ya, and I’ll add extra to this put up as I consider new ideas.
Do you’ve plant infants? Any nice ideas you’ve discovered over time? Please share all the fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!
xo
Gina