Sharing tips about handle 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 dwelling.
Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on handle the following tips for vegetation.
I hesitated to put in writing 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 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 be referred to as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical timber that do extraordinarily effectively open air 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 lovely houseplant that may add to the aesthetic attraction of your area and is usually a beautiful, 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 tips about handle a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and preserve it trying 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, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it could possibly get a lot of daylight. These vegetation additionally are inclined to do effectively in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and huge home windows. If you happen to reside in an space that’s not well-lit, you need to use a grow light. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and lots of members use develop lights on their vegetation. Have a look across the space and be sure to don’t have AC vents that can be blowing straight on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an efficient factor, be careful for an excessive amount of scorching solar on the plant as a result of it could possibly trigger sunburn. We have now one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten exterior and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Brilliant, oblique gentle is normally finest. Lightening situations make all of the distinction.
Watering
Okay, so there are fairly just a few strategies right here: the cup technique (watering a small quantity steadily) or the extra rare technique (LOTS of watering about as soon as per week). I discovered that the cup technique did NOT work for me. She was dropping leaves like loopy and I used to be pacing across the plant, making an attempt to determine what the heck was taking place. A sport 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 stage 2 or 3, after which I soak the heck out of it. I’ll use 4 massive measuring bowls filled 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. It will assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to movement by means of extra freely. An excellent 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 significantly better for vegetation than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply otherwise. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation exterior!
Potting Medium
Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, preserve it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your own home the place it should reside. This manner, it could possibly 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 movement by means of as an alternative of holding the water, which might 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 effectively. Examine together with your nursery to see what potting combine they advocate on your local weather.
If 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 once they’re barely sure, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do effectively within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that measurement, or barely greater. Essential: make sure that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply movement by means 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 means of and stop root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. If you happen to discover that it wants just a little enhance, I like this fertilizer blended with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and prompted issues, so I ended utilizing it.) If you happen to 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. If you happen to reside in a dry local weather, misting could make a constructive 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 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 accomplished this for Frida, however could 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 vital. (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 perimeters and you’ll see a lot of roots, a bacterial an infection (a lot of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You may keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s a lot of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If it’s essential to 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.) If you happen to see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with just a few inches of soil, encompass with a lot of recent new soil, and water.
Okay, pals! That’s all I’ve received for ya, and I’ll add extra to this publish as I consider new suggestions.
Do you will have plant infants? Any nice suggestions you’ve realized over time? Please share all the fiddle leaf fig care suggestions with us!
xo
Gina
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