One of the trendiest indoor plants currently is the Fiddle Leaf Fig (ficus lyrate). Its huge, leatherlike as well as shiny fiddleshaped leaves include a specific architectural beauty to a room, especially when potted up in an advanced planter. Help your fiddle leaf fig thrive with these suggestions on pruning, propagating, watering, fertilising as well as repotting. Right here’s everything you need to recognize when it concerns taking care of your fiddle fallen leave fig.
About the Fiddle Leaf Fig plant
The ficus lyrata, more typically referred to as the fiddle leaf fig, is among today’s “it” plants. You’ve more than likely seen this lovely plant enhancing the web pages of magazines and the floors of lavish houses. Its iconic, fiddle-like fallen leaves and also dainty veins earned this plant its distinct name. The plant is known for its graceful shape. However, it also has a strong track record in the wild for somewhat different factors:
Fiddle leaf figs come from the exotic jungles of West Africa as well as can reach at the very least 40 feet in elevation. They are natural epiphytes in the wild. This means that they start their lives by embedding their seeds in addition to one more tree, then expanding downwards. As they expand, they may suffocate the host plant as it completes for light. Luckily, the domesticated variations are gentle in residences and will happily share their space with you.
The fiddle leaf fig comes from the moraceae household similar to the ficus elastica, also known as the rubber plant. Fiddle leaf fig trees expand well in hardiness zones 9-11. You can take a look at the USDA’s plant strength area map to read more regarding the various strength zones.
Fiddle leaf figs can grow a couple feet annually if given the proper treatment. These preferred houseplants can climb up to 6 feet or even more in your house. Their eco-friendly and shiny fallen leaves, paired with their special shape make this plant your go-to option for amusing areas.
Most fiddle leaf fig trees serve as flooring plants thanks to their imposing size. Younger fiddle leaf figs can temporarily reside on racks while they’re little. The F. lyrata compacta and suncoast cultivars are smaller sized as well as bushier selections of the traditional fiddle leaf fig, however the main F. lyrata variety is the one you’re more than likely to discover.
The best-known range is Monstera Deliciosa, or Mexican Breadfruit, in reference to its corncob-shaped fruit (which is claimed to taste like a combination of pineapple, banana, as well as mango). It’s not all tasty, nevertheless: The rest of the plant is dangerous and also consuming the fruit before it’s ripe can trigger mouth inflammation.
It’s extremely common for monsteras to be confused with split-leaf philodendron, specifically in less mature plants. Though the two are related (they’re component of the exact same plant family members), a simple means to tell these plants apart is to look at the leaves: split-leaf philodendrons have perforated fallen leaves but lack holes.
How to plant and care for your Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle Leaf Fig Planting Guide
It’s time to repot your fiddle leaf fig plant. Be sure to do these steps outside, as they’ll obtain a little bit unpleasant. If going outdoors isn’t an option, put down an old bedsheet to catch the excess dirt.
- Load the new container with 4 inches of soil.
Include a layer of soil to your brand-new container to give a bed for the root ball to remainder. Ensure your origin sphere will certainly not rest too expensive once it’s in place, as the top of the soil should be somewhat less than the top of the container. Add more soil if it’s resting also reduced. - Remove the plant from the old container.
Next, you’ll want to eliminate your origin ball from the existing pot. Be careful not to damage the origins. If your origin sphere is stuck, think about reducing the side of the container with scissors. I don’t suggest sprinkling your plant prior to you repot, as that can cause the origin sphere to be messier as well as most likely to disintegrate.
Here’s the simplest way to repot a fiddle leaf fig tree and add an ornamental container. Be sure to choose the best drainage and also potting soil for your plant.
- Location the plant in the new container as well as full of dirt.
Holding the plant upright, placed handfuls of dirt around the base to fill in the sides of the container surrounding the root round. Delicately portable the soil around the root ball until your container is complete. Don’t over small, as your plant requires room for the origins to grow.
Below’s the most convenient means to repot a fiddle leaf fig tree and include an ornamental container. Make sure to select the most effective drain and also potting soil for your plant.
- Water your plant kindly.
Water your plant kindly, swamping the pot to make certain any big air bubbles are completed with soil. You may require to add more dirt now if the edges of your soil are lower than the center. Once you’ve watered your plant and also the soil is also across the top of the container, you’re done! Offer the fallen leaves of the plant as well as the container a quick rinse to eliminate any kind of dirt or dirt. - Let your plant dry as well as drain pipes the tank.
Provide your plant a hr or so to dry off, after that you’ll need to drain pipes the book of the pot by turning it laterally. Ensure you’ve drained as much of the water in the reservoir as feasible before bringing your plant inside to stay clear of leaks. - Wait one month, after that feed.
Offer your plant one month to rest as well as recoup from the transition, after that start feeding it whenever you water with Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food. Thin down 1 teaspoon per mug of water and water typically. Quickly your plant will be expanding new leaves as well as prospering!
Adding a Decorative Pot for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig
Obviously, the reason you got your fiddle leaf fig tree is to look lovely in your house, so you’ll intend to include the final touch of an attractive pot. If you have an ornamental pot that includes water drainage holes, you might plant your tree directly right into that pot. Nonetheless, most decorative pots do not have water drainage openings, so you’ll intend to appropriately pot in an indoor container, then place that container within the decorative container.
Pick an ornamental container a little bigger as well as taller than your interior pot. For a smaller plant, add self-adhesive really felt pads to the bottom of your container to safeguard your surface areas. For a larger fiddle leaf fig tree, location it on a plant stand or rolling plant stand so you can quickly relocate and turn your plant. When your plant is all dressed up, unwind and appreciate your new appeal!
Fiddle Leaf Fig Care guide
WHEN TO WATER
Water your FLF only when it is dry to touch. Stick your finger well into the potting mix and also if it feels dry then it’s time to water. Also if the pot really feels light, it’s time to water it. If the potting mix really feels damp after that leave it for a few days and also inspect it again.
When it’s time to water, among the most convenient ways is to rest it under a shower or area it in bathroom and water well, allowing the excess to recede. The origins do hate damp feet, so prevent them sitting in wet dishes.
LIGHT & POSITION
FLF’s love a light as well as sunny setting. Try to avoid dark corners and also warm western sun coming in from a home window. Avoid a/c and also blasts of cozy air from central heating where you can.
FERTILIZING
It’s good to utilize a liquid feed in Spring/Summer and apply it when you are watering the plant. Utilize a nitrogen based fertilizer or else a basic houseplant food is alright too. Do not fertilize it in Autumn or Winter when there is no development taking place.
The ultimate Fiddle Leaf Fig Care FAQ
What area is best for this tree/shrub?
The most effective location is one with bright, filtered light. Area the ‘fig’ near a large window with eastern or north direct exposure, but no direct sunlight. A percentage of day-to-day sunlight is fine, if it isn’t straight, mid-afternoon sunlight. Mid-day sun from a south- or west-facing window will usually be also solid.
Why are the fallen leaves going down?
When a lot of leaves drop, this is generally caused by insufficient or excessive water. Nonetheless, occasionally leaf decline can also be triggered by exposure to temperatures extremes, either warm or chilly. What should you do?
Temperature level extremes: Since this tree is a native of cozy, exotic forest regions, it grows in constant wetness as well as cozy temperature levels (in between 60-75 levels in day and stay clear of temps lower than 55 levels in the evening). Keep away from heating or cooling vents.
Watering: It is far even worse to overwater than to undersea your Fig. The dirt needs to be wet yet not soggy. Water only when the top 3-4 inches of soil is dry. If the leaves are transforming brownish, evaluate the soil with your finger. If it is soggy, allow the dirt dry out totally before sprinkling once again. During the cold weather when your home is heated up, it assists to haze the foliage for an increase of moisture.
Or, a Fiddle-leaf fig might additionally drop its lower fallen leaves if it was just recently relocated to a new place. Enable some time for adjustment.
How much should I feed?
This Ficus does not have a solid demand for plant food. During springtime and summer season, you can give the plant a diluted, houseplant plant food as soon as a month.
When do I repot it?
When the plant is young and also growing quickly, repot it every springtime. Once it is mature, you just need to replace the leading couple of inches of the soil yearly. Utilize a potting dirt mix which includes composted bark and perlite, such as the BlackGold brand.
Is the Fiddle-leaf Fig hazardous to pet dogs?
The vegetation and sap isn’t healthy for cats as well as pet dogs. They might experience mouth irritability or a short-lived discomfort such as acid indigestion, depending upon just how much your animal has actually munched or swallowed. It’s an excellent concept to play it safe and deal with plants that won’t cause any kind of troubles for your fuzzy close friends.
