Plant Care Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Fig

4.4 out of 5 (553 experiences)

Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves
Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Survivor plant personality Survivor

About Fiddle Leaf Fig

The fiddle leaf fig is a tree from Central and West Africa. The species name, lyrata, refers to the leaves’ shape of a lyre, a small string instrument played in Ancient Greece. The plant has a uniquely and mutually beneficial relationship with specific kinds of wasps. In fact, every plant in the Ficus genus has a unique wasp species which will lay its eggs in the fruits of only its favorite species! 🐝

Taxonomy

Ficus lyrata
Ficus
Moraceae
Rosales

Also known as

Ficus

How to care for Fiddle Leaf Fig

💦 Water

How often to water your Fiddle Leaf Fig

Water needs for Fiddle Leaf Fig
0.5 cups
every 9

Fiddle Leaf Fig needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Fiddle Leaf Fig

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Fiddle Leaf Fig in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Fiddle Leaf Fig: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Fiddle Leaf Fig love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Fiddle Leaf Fig does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Fiddle Leaf Fig in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Fiddle Leaf Fig

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Fiddle Leaf Fig: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Fiddle Leaf Fig after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #FiddleLeafFig
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Fiddle Leaf Fig is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Fiddle Leaf Fig →

Common Fiddle Leaf Fig Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Fiddle Leaf Fig prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Water Frequency →

Fiddle Leaf Fig Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Fiddle Leaf Fig requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Light Requirements →

Fiddle Leaf Fig Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Fiddle Leaf Fig is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Toxicity to Dogs →

Fiddle Leaf Fig Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Fiddle Leaf Fig prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Fiddle Leaf Fig does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

When and How to Successfully Repot Fiddle Leaf Fig →


💩 Fertilizer

Fiddle Leaf Fig should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Fiddle Leaf Fig to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Fiddle Leaf Fig is native to worldwide Tropics.


🌸 Flowers

Fiddle Leaf Fig produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Flowers →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Fiddle Leaf Fig will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

How and When to Prune Fiddle Leaf Fig →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Fiddle Leaf Fig can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12a. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 Propagation

Fiddle Leaf Fig can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

  • Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
  • To get the cutting to root, you can either:
    • Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
    • Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Fiddle Leaf Fig, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Fig


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 419
Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 162
Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 148
Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 136
Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 38
Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 26
Fiddle Leaf Fig has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 13
@ivysaur avatar
@@ivysaur
leaf-1 57 Plants
xp 5,104 XP
globe Renton, WA
03/30/2022

I have trouble keeping my FLF happy. It’s pickier than my calathea, for different reasons. Still working on it! I have a small one and I’m hoping I’ll enjoy it more when it’s larger.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Browns easily Browns easily
@lololiv avatar
@@lololiv
leaf-1 18 Plants
xp 1,198 XP
globe Markham, Ontario
03/12/2022

I absolutely LOVE these plants! Such deep dark green with its luscious large leaves, it makes any type of space look stunning! Once you place them in a spot that keeps them happy, do not move them!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Browns easily Browns easily
Survivor Survivor
@LovingSunnyAZ avatar
@@LovingSunnyAZ
leaf-1 11 Plants
xp 7,645 XP
globe Goodyear, AZ
02/25/2022

Beautiful leaves. Loves a bright spot with indirect sunlight!!

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily Blooms easily
@BoldCorn avatar
@@BoldCorn
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 56 XP
globe Wayne, NJ
02/20/2022

Beautiful decoration!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily
@Meera91 avatar
@@Meera91
leaf-1 8 Plants
xp 929 XP
02/16/2022

Really finicky plant that is hard to take care of. The slightest change in environment or watering will completely throw it off. Not for beginners but with proper education and patience beautiful plant to have

Browns easily Browns easily
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@tiki avatar
@@tiki
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 154 XP
globe Spring Branch, TX
02/08/2022

I’ve accidentally killed this thing multiple times. The leaves fall off & I just water the stick & it comes back.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily
Patti avatar
@Patti
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 178 XP
globe Bowler, WI
02/03/2022

I purchased my Fiddleleaf fig because I read that it cleans the air adds oxygen Also can remove some bad chemicals from its environment and very beautiful. I would recommend that anybody that purchase one feed it organic fiddle leaf plant food according to the directions, made all the difference in growth and leaf quality.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@cosmokramer avatar
@@cosmokramer
leaf-1 0 Plants
xp 237 XP
02/02/2022

This was an xmas gift from my daughter. It is thriving though I don’t feel I’m doing anything special. I will note that it’s soil is very well draining and I completely soak the soil about once a week. Other than that I keep close to southern facing window.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Aggie avatar
@Aggie
leaf-1 10 Plants
xp 280 XP
01/30/2022

My niece propagated this plant for me. Seems to be doing good. Beware pet owners!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@aliceinmommyland avatar
@@aliceinmommyland
leaf-1 14 Plants
xp 124 XP
01/26/2022

I’ve heard so many horror stories about these but mine has, despite my better efforts, continued to thrive. I mean, it got *forgotten* in the back yard all summer while I was overwhelmed with moving & some renovating. Happy as a clam. Yes, it’s dropped some leaves over the years. Yes, it was once MUCH more lush and is still recovering from near-death a year and a half ago. But it’s still here!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@Laura321 avatar
@@Laura321
leaf-1 27 Plants
xp 1,703 XP
globe Palm Bay, FL
01/24/2022

Let it dry out between watering but not too much

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@Plantyhope avatar
@@Plantyhope
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 185 XP
globe Dallas, TX
01/15/2022

Even though I stayed on a schedule it still died..

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Browns easily Browns easily
@OptimalAlbo avatar
@@OptimalAlbo
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 87 XP
globe San Diego, CA
01/15/2022

I had to move my girl three different times until I found her perfect spot. I was over watering her at first and then went on a once every Saturday regimen to now once every 10-12 days.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily
@BoozyBillsBabe avatar
@@BoozyBillsBabe
leaf-1 46 Plants
xp 9,015 XP
globe Baltimore, MD
01/14/2022

Beautiful but a pain in the ass.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Browns easily Browns easily
Pest magnet Pest magnet
Juliacb avatar
@Juliacb
leaf-1 23 Plants
xp 1,179 XP
globe Raleigh, NC
01/14/2022

Loves light. Must be watered regularly.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily
@KaylieS avatar
@@KaylieS
leaf-1 36 Plants
xp 9,032 XP
globe Leawood, KS
01/13/2022

They can be dramatic but are very Hardy and able to snap back from the brink of death! More than once!

Survivor Survivor
@KaylieS avatar
@@KaylieS
leaf-1 36 Plants
xp 9,032 XP
globe Leawood, KS
01/13/2022

Don’t let these dramatic guys scare you away. They learn to love you.

Survivor Survivor
Aubrey avatar
@Aubrey
leaf-1 13 Plants
xp 846 XP
globe Coos Bay, OR
01/11/2022

this one is really finicky. i wouldn’t recommend this plant to someone who is forgetful, tends to overwater, or is inconsistent. pain in my butt.

Browns easily Browns easily
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@niket avatar
@@niket
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 300 XP
globe San Francisco, CA
01/10/2022

I love them because they give you time to learn how to take care of them.

@greenvy avatar
@@greenvy
leaf-1 22 Plants
xp 1,821 XP
globe Decatur, GA
01/09/2022

Beautiful plant with large shiny leaves. A millennial must have.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate

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