Sharing recommendations on methods to deal with 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 beautiful 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 methods to deal with the following pointers for crops.
I hesitated to jot down this publish 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 concern that as SOON as I publish this publish, 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 known as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical timber that do extraordinarily properly outside in reasonable 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 lovely houseplant that may add to the aesthetic enchantment of your house and generally is a gorgeous, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor affect and can be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this publish, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on methods to deal with 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 crops, and home crops is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be pleased. Normally, it is a north or south-facing window, the place it might probably get plenty of daylight. These crops additionally are inclined to do properly 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 utilize a grow light. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and plenty of members use develop lights on their crops. Have a look across the space and ensure you don’t have AC vents that can 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 might probably trigger sunburn. We’ve got one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten outdoors and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Vibrant, oblique mild is normally greatest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.
Watering
Okay, so there are fairly a couple of strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity ceaselessly) 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 taking place. 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 may assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to move by way of extra freely. An excellent 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 significantly better for crops than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply otherwise. If it rains, drag your sturdier crops outdoors!
Potting Medium
Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, hold it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your own home the place it’s going to reside. This manner, it might 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 permits water to move by way of 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 properly. Examine together with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest on your local weather.
While you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an infinite pot as the basis system doesn’t want a ton of room to increase. They really do higher once they’re barely certain, and plenty of fiddle leaf figs do properly within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely larger. Vital: ensure the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply move by way of. 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 by way 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 a little bit increase, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and triggered issues, so I ended 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. In the event you reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic affect on the leaves. You may 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 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 this 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 crops are greatest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely mandatory. (It might trigger stress for the crops and we don’t need to stress them out!) Some websites suggest repotting each 2-3 years to get contemporary vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is pleased, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you may need to repot: the soil is pulling away from the sides and you may see plenty of roots, a bacterial an infection (plenty of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You may keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s plenty of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If you should repot, shake off the surplus soil from the roots, and trim away any of the roots’ ends which can be 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 couple of inches of soil, encompass with plenty of contemporary new soil, and water.
Okay, mates! That’s all I’ve received for ya, and I’ll add extra to this publish as I consider new ideas.
Do you’ve got plant infants? Any nice ideas you’ve discovered over time? Please share all the fiddle leaf fig care ideas with us!
xo
Gina
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