When the leaves of a Fiddle Leaf Fig curl, the number one cause is underwatering. Phil the Fiddle in May of 2019. Use a pair of clean and sharp cutters, or a razor if your FLF has a thinner trunk. Fiddle Leaf fig also known as is in the ficus family and out in nature that actually do develop big like fruits. If you’ve done it correctly, some milky white sap will drip. There are fertilizers specially made for fiddle-leaf figs available. Plan to repot a young fiddle-leaf fig annually every spring. 4 – Watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig Too Much Is Also Bad. What you need to know about the Fiddle Leaf Fig . Gently loosen the plant from its current pot, lift it out while supporting its base, and place it in the new pot. During the growing season (spring to fall), water your fiddle-leaf fig when the top inch of soil feels dry. ", Back in May, Fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for Karen, an emergency department nurse. 2. And plants that are kept in very low light conditions will fail to grow rapidly. That way, it will grow evenly, rather than lean toward the light. Fiddle leaf fig does well in indirect light, it grows … As an indoor plant, the FLF has been featured in many home decor magazines and became the ‘It’ plant on Instagram and Facebook according to the New York Times.Its thick dark green leaves with the distinctive fiddle … When your fiddle leaf fig’s soil starts to feel slightly dry to the touch, water it until the soil is moistened. Debra LaGattuta is a certified master gardener with decades of experience with perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. I might re-pot so her roots can spread, but otherwise I’ve been at a loss. In fact, grower pots are perfect. And make sure your plant has adequate air circulation and isn’t sitting in overly damp conditions, which can help to prevent future problems. Fiddle Leaf Fig Mug - Fiddle Leaf Fig Gift - Plant Lady Mug - Please Don't Die - Plant Killer - Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree - Indoor Plant Lover SocialLook. “Bright, indirect light” means a few feet away from a south window, close to an east window, or a foot or two from a west window. If it is wet, hold off watering for a few more days and then check it again. But there are several cultivars available as well, including: Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home.". As this is usually a large plant, it most likely will be in a large container. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, 50 feet tall (outdoors), 10 feet tall (indoors), Rarely flowers outside of its native area. Click here for the full notching tutorial video. There’s no doubt that the fiddle leaf fig is an aesthetically pleasing plant, with their tall stature and luscious, leafy branches. And over the winter months, water slightly less. It looks just like its larger counterpart, but it grows only about 4 feet tall. This should raise a huge red flag since Fiddle-Leaf Figs are typically found in pots, not imperial Shang Dynasty armchairs carved over a millennia by indentured souls. To combat the brown spots on fig leaves, you need to examine the plant closely and check for its requirements. All the fun of fiddle leaf figs in a smaller package. Sadly, there are also people who have the opposite problem and this means that they are watering their fiddle leaf figs way too much. This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. These can cause sudden temperature shifts. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, especially exposure to hot afternoon sun. Fiddle leaf fig brown spots can be of different nature, sizes and causes. Moreover, if you will be doing the potting work outdoors, do so when the temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Seed-Starting Tips and Techniques Webinar, Traveling Plants | Letter from the Editor, A Fool and His Garden | Letter from the Editor, Dahlias Don’t Ask Much | Letter from the Editor. Treat the issue as soon as possible with an appropriate fungicide, pesticide, or other remedy. Fiddle-leaf figs are not especially demanding plants as long as you can get their growing conditions right. A fiddle-leaf fig can get so big that you consider it a piece of furniture. Its best to fertilize your FLF mainly in the growth season, which is Spring and Summer. How & When to Fertilize your Fiddle Leaf Fig. A fiddle leaf fig doesn’t need very much water and overwatering is no bueno. Fiddle-leaf figs don’t like extreme temperature fluctuations. It was a small way to say thank you for the efforts…. Not only does this make the leaves appear shinier and more appealing, but it also allows more sunlight to hit the leaves for photosynthesis. But the tree is far from being easy to take care of.Fiddle leaf figs like bright, filtered light, so ideally you want to place the tree near a … As such, choosing the correct soil is important when potting or repotting your Fiddle Leaf Fig. Ensure that the soil drains well. First of all, make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter. As with any houseplant, though, it is imperative to pick the right place for it in your home. Typically I water my FLF weekly. I like to keep them after I repot plants so I can reuse them but you can also buy them at … Native to the rainforests of western and central Africa, the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree (Ficus lyrata) is a stunning plant with huge green leaves and an even larger following of houseplant fans.Despite its popularity, it's certainly not the easiest houseplant to look after, but its visual impact in a space is unmatched when given proper conditions and care. While they can be pretty low maintenance plants (we promise! Above: Photograph by … A room that’s between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit is typically fine, though you must position the plant away from drafty areas, as well as air-conditioning and heating vents. They certainly make a statement. Anything colder can cause too much stress for the fiddle-leaf fig. These plants don’t have serious pest or disease issues, but they can be prone to spider mites, scale, and bacterial or fungal diseases. “Finicky-leaf fig” is the moniker many people have given the fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). Bambinos are adorable and a great cultivar for the fiddle leaf fig curious or those with limited space. Wait until your fig plant is 5 feet (1.5 m) tall. This won't delete the recipes and articles you've saved, just the list. The Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource is committed to giving back and helping others in our community and collaborating with other fiddle leaf fig lovers. Fiddle-leaf figs require bright, filtered light to grow and look their best. Or you can place it on a tray of pebbles filled with water, as long as the bottom of the pot isn’t touching the water. Any quality indoor plant potting mix should be suitable for a fiddle-leaf fig. The Ultimate Guide to Fiddle Leaf Fig Insect Problems. Furthermore, these plants are sensitive to high salt levels in the soil. The fiddle-leaf fig tree is a slow grower; in winter it goes dormant. Fill in the spaces around the plant with potting mix. Root rot, or root disease, is a condition that, if left untreated, will kill your fiddle leaf fig tree. Leave it there, and then check it in a few minutes. This makes them somewhat challenging for the home grower, who is likely to have trouble duplicating these steamy conditions. of the member-only content library. With the right conditions and care, however, you can grow a thriving fiddle leaf. The main species, Ficus lyrata, is the most common fiddle-leaf fig plant that gardeners grow. Many vegetables, annual flowers, and even perennial plants can be started from seed using a…, With so many events canceled in the last year, we sure are happy that the plant breeders still decided to unveil a healthy crop of new plants for us to…, After my husband and I moved into our home in 2004, I waited four years before starting a garden. And don’t expect immediate miracles even then. Also known as Ficus lyrata, fiddle leaf figs can grow up to 10 to 15 feet or more inside your home, says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf of The Houseplant Guru. How to Learn More About Fiddle Leaf Fig Care. About Fiddle-leaf figs We don’t believe in plants being fashionable - they’re all classics - but the fiddle-leaf fig is definitely having ‘a moment’. (Most indoor specimens reach around 10 feet tall.) Fiddle Leaf Figs are known for their beauty, grace, and of course, finicky nature. Gently loosen the plant from its current pot, lift it out while supporting its base, and place it in the new pot. But unlike a lamp or a recliner, this thing has needs: decent light and moisture. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest But unlike a lamp or a recliner, this thing has needs: decent light and moisture. With this method, you will need to make a slanted cut on a stem to encourage new root development. If you need to supplement humidity, mist your plant with clean water in a spray bottle daily. Its huge, fiddle-shaped leaves (hence the name) and the fact it can grow over six-feet tall means it has maximum impact in any room. 10 Tips on How to Care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig 1. 5 out of 5 stars (542) 542 reviews. "Its large, shiny, fiddle/violin shaped leaves make this architectural plant unique and one of the most popular houseplants on the planet," she says. I finally had to stabilize her with a bamboo rod. If the dowel is dry, it is time to water. If you would like to inquire about collaborating, click here to send us an email. My sweet fiddle leaf fig (Cordelia) has been with me for years, but I can’t seem to figure out how to strengthen her trunk! Placing a fiddle-leaf fig in a dark corner behind the couch because it looks good is not conducive to growing a healthy plant. Grow plants in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix, as it contains coconut coir, which holds and releases water and helps soil easily re-wet.Add it to a container that is 1/3 wider than the plant’s root ball and has several drainage holes. Give one a try! It also likes to be kept warm, with no cold drafts. © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Water your fiddle leaf fig about once per week when the soil feels dry. With these issues, you might notice leaf damage, such as spots or dark patches, as well as small bugs on the leaves. Also unfortunate is that they can have different causes, so you’ll have to really evaluate the situation to pinpoint what’s going on here. This is also a good time to give the leaves a hose-down to get any dust off. Plan to repot a young fiddle-leaf fig annually every spring. It could be a year before a recovering fiddle-leaf fig tree starts to look really good again. Get complete site access to decades of expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. Do this above a leaf node. The best way to provide adequate humidity is to place a local-use humidifier near the tropical plant. How can you help your fiddle-leaf fig thrive in your home? Lisa Eldred Steinkopf is the author of several books on house- plants, including Houseplants: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Growing, and Caring for Indoor Plants. Rotate the Plant More Often or Move it Outdoors. Air layering is another technique for propagating fiddle-leaf fig trees or other woody tropical plants. When grown as a houseplant, be prepared to rotate your fiddle-leaf fig every few days so a different part faces the light source. They’re fairly fast growers and can be potted at any point in the year if you're like most gardeners acquiring a nursery plant to keep indoors. This helps to prevent salt build-up. When we're growing fiddle figs in our homes, they require bright light. Yes, of course, a plant needs water, but fiddles can be picky. Fill in the spaces around the plant with potting mix. It can be hard to tell if such a large plant is thirsty or not, so when you think it needs a drink, insert a dowel into the soil deep enough to reach the bottom of the pot (above left). From shop paperwhalecards. It is hard to spot root rot because it occurs in the dirt – where it can slowly fester unbeknowst to the gardener. The fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is a popular indoor specimen plant featuring very large, heavily veined, violin-shaped leaves that grow upright. Select a sturdy container that is roughly 2 inches larger in diameter than the existing one. "However, it is also known for its finicky properties." From shop SocialLook. It can be hard to tell if such a large plant is thirsty or not, so when you think it needs a drink, insert a dowel into the soil deep enough to reach the bottom of the pot (above left). Select a sturdy container that is roughly 2 inches larger in diameter than the existing one. After a few minutes, remove the dowel to see if it is wet or dry (above right). You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. Get our latest tips, how-to articles, and instructional videos sent to your inbox. This will minimize the risk of root rot. Other causes include insufficient sunlight, a lack of nutrients, and too small a pot. When grown as a houseplant, be prepared to rotate your fiddle-leaf fig every few days so a different part faces the light source. Don’t expect to see any improvement before April (and warmer temperatures). 1. An occasional dusting of the leaves is also appreciated. It starts with the right light. It is best to water the plant until water runs out of the drainage hole, but if a fiddle-leaf fig is left standing in water, it may develop yellowing leaves that start to drop off the plant. Use a pot with drainage holes for the same reason. 1. You can buy a fiddle-leaf fig tree for $12.99 from Ikea. And if you wish, you can prune off the top of the main stem for a bushier growth habit. Also, every week or two dust the leaves with a damp cloth. Aim for a humidity level between 30% and 65%. Consequently, they need different treatments. Without sufficient water, the leaves will start to curl. Furthermore, these plants are sensitive to high salt levels in the soil. Plus, fiddle-leaf figs can benefit from being in a room with a humidifier. Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law's Tongue) Profile, 9 Species of Fig (Ficus) Trees for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening, Six of the Most Expensive Houseplants—And Why, The 5 'It' Plants of 2021, According to the Pros. Although it will never reach its mature outdoor height of 50 feet (thank God), a potted fiddle-leaf fig tree can grow as tall as 10 feet indoors. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) The fiddle leaf fig hails from the jungle, so a bright bathroom would be … Fiddle-leaf fig does best with a relative humidity between 30% and 60%, whereas most homes are around 10% RH in winter. Fertilize throughout the growing season with a high-nitrogen plant food, following label instructions. Starting plants from seed opens a world of possibilities to gardeners of all skill levels. How to Plant Fiddle Leaf Figs Managing soil moisture is critical to success with fiddle leaf figs. Options: A smaller selection is still special Are you sure you want to delete your notes for this recipe? Misting the fig’s leaves regularly is a good second choice. Notching a fiddle leaf fig tree encourages the tree to develop a branch at that location. So it's ideal to flush the soil until water comes out the bottom of the pot at least monthly. In that case, remove the first few inches of soil each spring and replace it with fresh soil. With it’s famous broad and glossy leaves, as well as the ability to grow as large as a tree (and form many different shapes), there’s something retro and fab and bold about the fiddle leaf … ), setting them up in ideal conditions is key to success in their care. If you believe a smaller plant is a better choice, there is a fiddle-leaf fig called ‘Little Fiddle’ or ‘Bambino’. Let’s just say that many home-decorating shows use plants for decorative accents without considering the needs of those plants. WATER REGULARLY (but not too much) Duh. Now bright light is basically the brightest light. A good way to determine this is to insert a wooden dowel into the side of the pot, pushing it all the way down to the bottom. Fiddle-leaf figs are perfect as focal points of a room if you can situate them in a floor-standing container where the plant is allowed to grow to at least 6 feet. However, they are relatively tough plants that can withstand a less-than-perfect environment for a fairly long time. If your plant is less than 5 feet (1.5 m) tall, wait several weeks or months until the plant has grown more. A fiddle leaf needs bright, indirect light, meaning it doesn’t need direct sun shining on it for it to grow well. Fiddle leaf fig brown spots. You generally won’t have to feed your plant over the winter. The ideal dirt for fiddle leaf fig trees is fast-draining. These plants are native to tropical parts of Africa, where they thrive in very warm and wet conditions. Moreover, you can trim off any damaged or dead leaves as they arise, as they no longer benefit the plant. Notching a Fiddle Leaf Fig may seem scary but it shouldn’t be! Then once a month (or every 4 weeks) I’ll take it outside to fertilize as I water it. When you are deciding whether to water your fig, it is crucial to find out what is going on at the bottom of that large container. Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig plant sits atop a jade throne in the Fifth Court of Feng-Du. Cut around 1/3 of the way across the trunk and around 1/3 deep, at an angle. And if it gets too much water, the plant might drop its leaves and suffer from root rot, which ultimately can kill it. The other method of branching is called “pinching.” Here’s how it works: First, locate the newest growth on top of … The same thing happens with underwatering, but the edges of the leaves normally turn brown and crispy before falling off the plant. This West African native likes consistent moisture around its roots—not standing in water but not completely drying out either. The potting medium might be dry at the top and even down a few inches, but it might be quite moist in the bottom of the pot. Brown spots on fiddle leaf fig leaves are unfortunately pretty common. Here are causes we have supported in the past. A fiddle-leaf fig can get so big that you consider it a piece of furniture. These plants should be watered when the surface of the soil feels dry. In this case, it would not need to be watered. Fiddle Leaf Figs like to dry out a bit in between waterings so don’t use a moisture control type potting mix. The fiddle leaf fig has rocketed in popularity as one of the most stylish and trendy indoor plants one can have. Once the plant is mature, it likely will be too large to repot. Starting from the base of the plant, use a measuring tape to check the exact height of your fiddle leaf fern. When you water a fiddle leaf fig too much, it’s going to be possible for brown spots to start forming. If the plant doesn’t get enough water, its leaves will wilt and lose their bright green color. Leave the plant in the sink or outside for a few hours to let the water drain out the bottom so that the roots don’t start to rot. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Fiddle-leaf figs like a moderate amount of moisture in the soil. This is called fiddle leaf fig notching. The idea of creating a new design from scratch was daunting.…, "As a recently identified gardening nut I have tried all the magazines and this one is head and shoulders above the pack.