The Fiddle Leaf Fig, called Ficus lyrata scientifically, has been enjoying its place in the spotlight for a while now and given the love it is getting from both gardeners and interior designers for their beautiful foliage and looks. A single Fiddle Leaf Fig has the presence and looks to turn your home into a Pinterest-worthy frame.
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Native to the rainforests of Western and Central Africa, the Ficus lyrata boasts large floppy green leaves with delicate vein networks that command immediate attention. Their tree like structure stands in beautiful contrast to the interiors of your home and has an immense visual impact to give your décor an edge.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig has been infamous for being a tricky plant, but we believe it is super cooperative when you know how to care for it. The plant has a few specific requirements, which when met result in a happy and stunning plant. With proper care, your Fiddle Leaf Fig can grow up to a couple of feet every year and reach over six feet in your indoor space.
• Quick Facts About the Fiddle Leaf Fig
| Common name | Fiddle Leaf Fig, Banjo Fig |
| Botanical name | Ficus lyrata |
| Famous plant members | Fiddle Leaf Fig Compacta |
| Sunlight | Partial or filtered sunlight |
| Air | Warm and well-ventilated |
| Soil | Very well-draining soil with organic matter |
| Water | When the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil is dry to touch |
| Fertilizers | Once every two to three weeks |
• How to Care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Indoors
Let’s take a look at its care tips and learn how to make show love to your Fiddle leaf fig plant
Watch this video to understand the basics of Fiddle Leaf Fig maintenance help your plant become a STAR!!
1. Fiddle Fig Light Requirements
The fiddle leaf fig is native to the tropical forests and thrives in a well-lit warm environment. It thrives in at least 3-4 hours of sun in a day and bright indirect light for the rest of the day. If you want to keep your fiddle leaf fig indoors, make sure that it gets either morning or evening light and extremely bright light through the day.
2. Placement
Fiddle Leaf Ficus plants do extremely well in south and west-facing corners of your home where they get ample sun through the day. Keep it close to natural sources of light such as windows and balconies. If the corner you are placing it in does not get the required light use lighter wall colors and mirrors to increase reflected light.
3. Watering
The Ficus lyrata likes it when the soil dries out slightly in between watering cycles. Water your fiddle leaf fig when the top two to three inches of the soil dries out. Water the plant till the excess water drains out of the planter and always empty the baseplate, as the plant hates being waterlogged.
When watering extremely dried out soil (visible cracks and soil leaving the planter walls), water in batches. Watering all at once allows the water to simply pass through the soil without getting absorbed. It's like we say - Fiddle Leaf Fig maintenance isn't that tricky when you know what to do. So, every time you water your plant, water it thoroughly till you see some draining out of the drainage hole and always empty the under plate.
4. Soil
The Fiddle Leaf Fig loves a rich but well-draining soil as the plant hates being waterlogged. It is a tropical plant that loves a moist growing medium that can dry out in between waterings. Use an equal mix of Garden Soil, Vermicompost, and Ugaoo's Pot-o-mix. Another alternate is using equal parts red soil, compost, and perlite, with half part cocopeat.
5. Repotting Fiddle Leaf Fig
The Fiddle plants are big rooters plants and easily get root bound. Though they love being root bound, they need to be repotted when roots start coming out of the drainage hole. Repot your Fiddle Leaf Ficus plant once a year in a loose well-draining potting mix in a planter that is not more than three inches bigger than the previous planter. Repot it in late winter (January) so that it gets time to settle in before the growing season of spring rolls in. The best potting soil for Fiddle Leaf Fig is Ugaoo's Pot-o-Mix that will allow for better aeration, drainage, and more space to breathe and grow.
6. Fertilizers
When choosing a fertilizer for Fiddle Leaf Ficus plants, remember to pick just one that will provide all-round and balanced nutrition. You must avoid fertilizer burn at all costs.
Feed your Fiddle Leaf Fig plant with a generic houseplant fertilizer every three weeks, diluted as instructed on the packaging. Fertilizing during the growing period of spring and summer is especially important.
Ensure that the fertilizers have the three major nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Ugaoo’s Plant Tonic is a great option for both root and foliar applications.
7. Pruning
Pruning back a couple of leaves from the top every few months not only promotes branching to make your fiddle leaf fig bushier but also allows it to divert the nutrients to older leaves and make them healthier.
8. Propagation
Fiddle leaf fig can be propagated by stem cuttings. Every time you prune your plant, take cuttings with at least 3-4 leaves, and remove the lowermost leaves and retain the top two leaves and propagate the cuttings in water. Make sure to submerge the lower exposed leaf nodes in water. The cutting will start growing roots in a couple of weeks, post which it can be transplanted in soil.
• Common Plant Problems of the Ficus Lyrata
- Yellow and floppy leaves mean that your Fiddle could be overwatered. Water only when the soil is dry to touch.
- Brownish and dehydrated leaves indicate excessive heat and lack of humidity.
- Etiolated or leggy plants with extra-large spaces in between leaves is a sign of lack of light.
- Stalled growth can be either due to lack of light, no nutrients, or hibernation in winters.
- Brown edges can mean your tree is overwatered, while brown spots can mean it is underwatered. Adjust your watering schedule if you notice its soil is overly-dry or overly-moist.
- Fiddle leaf figs are sensitive to drafts, keep them out of direct cold drafts from ACs and windows and doors in winters.
- Fiddle leaf figs are prone to mealy bugs, aphids, mites, and scales. Check the foliage regularly, and if signs of pests are seen, wipe them down with a cloth and soapy water. Follow it up with thorough spraying with neem oil solution.
To conclude, keep your fiddle leaf figs warm, well lit, let them dry out between waterings, and well-ventilated, and clean leaves once a month to help the plants breathe better.
Happy gardening!
