Sharing tips about find out how to care for a fiddle leaf fig tree, how usually to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these necessary questions!
Meet Frida Kahlo. She’s our attractive fiddle leaf fig plant that greets everybody who walks into our house.
Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on find out how to care for the following tips for vegetation.
I hesitated to write down this submit as a result of I was a infamous plant killer. 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 submit, Frida’s leaves begin to recoil and burst into flames. However I’m going to go for it.
I hope you discover some useful suggestions right here and my fellow fiddle leaf lovers, please share your prime suggestions within the feedback.
What Is A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
A fiddle leaf fig plant can also be known as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical bushes that do extraordinarily nicely outdoor 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 house and generally is a beautiful, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor impression and can also be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this submit, I’m sharing tried and examined tips about find out how to care for 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 completely happy. Normally, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it will probably get numerous daylight. These vegetation additionally are inclined to do nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. In case you stay in an space that’s not well-lit, you should utilize a grow light. 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 you don’t have AC vents that will probably be blowing instantly on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an efficient factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar on the plant as a result of it will probably trigger sunburn. We now have one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten exterior and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Shiny, oblique gentle is often finest. Lightening circumstances make all of the distinction.
Watering
Okay, so there are fairly just a few strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity continuously) 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 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 won’t disturb the roots. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to stream via extra freely. A very good 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 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 another way. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation exterior!
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 can stay. This manner, it will probably 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 stream via as a substitute of holding the water, which may 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. Examine along with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate on your local weather.
Whenever you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an unlimited pot as the foundation system doesn’t want a ton of room to increase. 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 dimension, or barely larger. Necessary: make certain the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply stream via. I additionally wish to put small rocks on the backside of a pot earlier than including the plant and soil, so water can simply transfer via 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 bit increase, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and precipitated 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. In case you stay in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic impression on the leaves. You’ll be able to place a humidifier on low near your plant, or often mist by hand. I use 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 power 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 this for Fred.
Enjoyable word: 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 finest left alone, so I’d solely advocate repotting if completely mandatory. (It will possibly trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t wish to stress them out!) Some websites advocate repotting each 2-3 years to get recent vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is completely happy, depart it alone haha. Some indicators you would possibly wish to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides and you’ll see numerous roots, a bacterial an infection (numerous brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You’ll be able to keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s numerous drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If you’ll want 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 case you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with just a few inches of soil, encompass with numerous recent new soil, and water.
Okay, mates! That’s all I’ve obtained for ya, and I’ll add extra to this submit as I consider new suggestions.
Do you might have plant infants? Any nice suggestions you’ve discovered over time? Please share the entire fiddle leaf fig care suggestions with us!
xo
Gina
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