The fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is an increasingly popular house plant, but many people are intimidated by the particular nature of the tree. Never fear! We’re here to help keep your fiddle leaf fig green and thriving.

Light

These trees love bright, indirect light and flourish when placed near an east- or north-facing window. Do not let rays of sunlight directly hit the leaves. This is a good way to get a brown, crispy plant! 

Water

Supplying the fiddle leaf fig with the right amount of water is critical and tends to be the detail you tweak the most when figuring out your plant. You want to give your tree plenty of water, yet you want to allow the soil to dry out a bit between waterings.

A useful tip is to stick your finger into the top inch or so of soil; if it’s completely dry, your plant can probably use some water. Another trick is to keep an eye on the foliage. The leaves near the top of the tree will begin to droop when it needs to be watered.

The plant will tell you if you are providing too little or too much water, although it has an ugly way of letting you know. 

Underwatering

The leaves will become brittle and develop large brown spots over time. This is a good time to stick your finger into the top inch or so of soil. If the soil is bone dry between watering, you can try slowly increasing either the frequency or the quantity of watering.

Overwatering

When receiving too much water, the leaves will droop and the plant will begin dropping yellow or green leaves. However, this can also be a sign of too little water. Only slightly confusing. This is yet another good time to stick your finger in the soil to check how damp or dry it is, and to adjust your watering regimen accordingly. 

Food

Fiddle leaf figs thrive when given a fertilizer during its growing season (spring and summer). A small amount of liquid fertilizer mixed with water once every two weeks is best. All fertilizers will provide a directed amount on the packaging.

Other Care

Here are some other tips apart from the light and water requirements.

Dusting

The gorgeous, broad leaves of the plant like to be wiped down every couple of months, as they gather dust. Gently wipe the tops of the leaves with room temperature water using a washcloth or soft sponge. This allows the plant to breathe and continue photosynthesizing without obstruction.

Rotation

It is generally recommended to not move the plant often, but rotating the pot is key to prevent leaning. Give the pot a quarter turn once a month.

Repotting

You will need to repot this plant from time to time as it grows. It's good to always go up to a size that is 2" to 3" wider in diameter than the root ball of your plant. If you have a pot with drainage, great! You don't need to do anything special. If you have a pot without drainage, just put a layer of rocks on the bottom of the pot before filling it with dirt. This gives the excess water somewhere to go that isn't trapped in the soil.

Humidity

Coming from a tropical rainforest environment, fiddle leaf figs enjoy a higher humidity than most homes provide, especially in winter. A way to give you plant extra humidity is to make a humidity tray. Directions are here.

Air Flow

Fresh air is provided by ventilation. That can be accomplished by either opening a door or window in the room where the plant is growing. You can also provide a small fan for your plants as well (this can be especially helpful in winter when opening the window is a no go.).

Remember: There is a difference between fresh air and draughts. Draughts are air currents moving quickly and directly across plants. The air is usually several degrees colder than the plant. They can cause leaf fall and other symptoms that are damaging to your plants. Keep plants away from doors you open often especially in winter.