Often referred to as a fig leaf. This plant has been a staple in households for many years. Here’s how you can cultivate and maintain your fiddle leaf fig to ensure it can flourish.
The fiddle leaf has been known as the “it girl” of the world of plants for more than five years. Thanks to the increasing availability of these exotic plant species across the U.S., it shows no sign to slow down. In spite of the brief dethronement of the olive tree, the fiddle leaf fig is the most popular in bringing the lush, green touch to any space in your home. If you’ve recently purchased a fig with a fiddle leaf of your own (or are considering purchasing one), take this guideline as a reference for this common home plant.
Characteristics
The fiddle leaf fig part of the genus ficus that encompasses a broad range of figs, including that of the rubber tree and weeping, the ficus Audrey, and many other. The fiddle leaf, however, isn’t a fruit-producing plant. It is easily identifiable due to its shiny, bright green leaves that look like — you guessed it — a fiddle. The leaves are large and long and feature a leathery appearance and noticeable veining. They can grow to heights of up to 49 feet, however, you can expect indoor trees to grow up to 10 feet.
Although it’s rooted within the rainforests that are tropical in Western Africa (in countries like Cameroon and Sierra Leone), they’ve become a beloved houseplant because of their spectacular appearance, but they’re not without their flaws. A quick search on TikTok will yield a wealth of videos featuring the notoriously fussy plant including angry plant owners grieving the loss of leaves to the owners of massive florid plants revealing their best-care suggestions.
The fig tree with the fiddle leaf can be harmful to humans and pets when ingested, which is why it’s not the most suitable choice for families with pets or children who are small.
Light
According to Bloomscape, the fig with fiddle leaves performs best in bright, indirect light. This means it should not be placed directly in sunlight at any time of the day. You could either put it next to an area with direct sunlight or in an opening (ideally easterly) by using sheer curtain to disperse the light. They can’t stand the dim light you should locate a bright area in your house otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and fall.
Temperature and Humidity
The temperature around your fiddle leaf fig needs to be between 60 and 80 degrees F, and the humidity must be somewhere in between (not too dry or humid). However, it’s not a bad idea to give your plant an additional boost by using an air humidifier or by spraying it every now and then. (It’s technically an agro-tropical plant at the very least!)
Water
For watering, you should ensure that 50 to 75 percent of soil is deficient to add water. Allow it to soak into the soil and flow through the drainage hole. This will help to maintain the growth of healthy roots.
Soil
Fiddle leaf figs are a great choice for an acidic soil that’s rich in organic matter. This means that the soil should have a mix of peat moss, compost perlite, sand, and perlite to ensure that it is able to retain water and nutrients. Fertilize your fiddle leaf fig every once in the spring and then every month during the summer. Be sure not to over-fertilize however, since this can result in your plant becoming taller, meaning that it has too too much stem, causing it to weaken and bend. This can be deadly for your plant.
Where to Purchase
Because of their growing popularity, the fiddle leaf figs have become quite readily available. Even though the plant once had huge prices, they are now available at a reasonable price at hardware stores such as Home Depot, local plant nurseries, as well as in Trader Joe’s or IKEA from occasionally in their house plants section.
