Ultimate Fiddle Leaf Fig Care And Its Most Common Problems.
This is my fourth Blog on Fiddle Leaf Fig care.
It’s hard to believe I’ve written more about this plant than the Chinese Money Plant or the ZZ Plant!
If I think about it though, it actually makes sense.
I’ve had my Fiddle Leaf Fig since 2007. We’ve been through a lot together, him and I.
(I refer to my plants as he/she as I am Italian, and as such, all words are either masculine or feminine. The Fiddle Leaf Fig, translated into Italian, is masculine. Don’t worry, there are many feminine plants! There is plenty of gender equality in the plant world!).
What you really need to know about the Fiddle Leaf Fig is that it’s a very mischievous plant.
It allures you with the lush elegance you see on countless Architectural Digest interiors articles and Instagram posts, and then drops you with each yellowish and brown-spotted leaf that hits the floor. So cruel.
I felt the same way years ago, at the beginning of my relationship with my Ficus Lyrata.
That’s because I didn’t know much about its care. All I knew was what the greenhouse sent me home with.
There is more you need to know about your Fiddle Leaf Fig that goes beyond the basic care you read online.
That’s why I’ve written four Blogs about this plant.
Who knows, there might be even more in the future.
5 fundamentals about the fiddle leaf fig
Aside from the fact that its scientific name is Ficus Lyrata, and that it’s native to Western Africa, there are 5 fundamental aspects of Fiddle Leaf Fig care you can’t disregard.
I want to cover them before we tackle the typical care needs.
As I wrote in my first Blog on the 5 Essential Tips To Care For Your Ficus Lyrata, this plant thrives in a lot of bright light. It actually needs a lot of indirect light, combined with some direct light, to succeed indoors. I witnessed my plant go from almost dead to flourishing into a lush tree within months once I moved it to a South facing window.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig despises being moved. Obviously, if you don’t have it in the brightest spot of your home yet, you need to move it. However, once you found the right spot for it, don’t move it!
It needs just the right amount of water. As much as I like to water this plant on schedule (fortunately, I can!), it really depends on where it is placed, the type of container it’s planted in, and the environment you live in.
This plant loves humidity, so be prepared to provide it to it if you live in a dry environment.
Prepare for growth! If you are serious about the Fiddle Leaf Fig and are successful caring for it, it will grow into a big tree. Make sure you have the right amount of space for it. Not just the right bright space!
This is my Fiddle Leaf Fig 17, years after I bought it. It was already in tree shape and size when I bought it, but it wasn’t this tall and large!
I’ve upsized its pot at least five times in the 17 years I’ve had it.
fiddle leaf fig ideal lighting
As mentioned previously, and drawing from my 17 years of personal experience with the Fiddle Leaf Fig, this plant thrives in abundant bright light.
One of the most crucial aspects of the Fiddle Leaf Fig care is ensuring proper lighting.
If you are unable to provide ample bright light, don’t get one.
Ideally, position your plant near a South facing window to allow it to benefit from direct morning sunlight. Avoid placing it near a West facing window without a screen or sheer curtains, as this can lead to leaf scorching, especially during summer.
When I first purchased mine, I positioned it in the centre of our first home Living Room. Despite the home’s open concept and numerous windows, the surrounding trees, obstructed natural light, leaving my plant lacking. Consequently, it began shedding leaves continuously.
Upon moving into our new home, I relocated to its current position near the South facing window. Within months it began sprouting new leaves and branches.
This experience solidified my belief that proper lighting is paramount in Fiddle Leaf Fig care. Indeed, the success of your plant largely hinges on adequate lighting.
The South-facing window where my Fiddle Leaf Fig enjoys the morning sun rays. I took this picture in 2019, which was five years ago. You can appreciate the difference in size between then and now.
fiddle leaf fig temperature and humidity
This plant is native to Western Africa, and as such, it does not tolerate cold temperatures.
It grows in tropical and sub-tropical climates outdoors.
Indoors, it prefers consistent temperatures between 60F/15C and 85F/30C. It’s crucial to keep your plant away from any drafts, whether hot or cold.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig enjoys high humidity levels, ranging anywhere between 30% and 65%.
If you live in a dry home, I recommend increasing the humidity around your plant.
There are a few strategies you can adopt to increase the humidity levels around your houseplants. You can choose one, or combine a few of them together.
- Using a plant humidifier. There are several products available on the market. I really like this ultrasonic cool mist one from Amazon.
- Misting your plant daily. I mist all those plants that thrive in high humidity, such as Marantas, Monsteras, Alocasias, Stromanthes, Calatheas, Fiddle Leaf Figs, Strelitzias, Ferns, Pileas, Peace Lilies and my Norfolfk Pine.
- Grouping your plants by species. Grouping plants together will help them raise the surrounding air humidity levels.
- Using a tray filled with pebbles and water. Filling a saucer with small pebbles and adding water so that it barely reaches the top surface of the pebbles, helps maintain higher levels of humidity around the plant. However, it is important that the bottom of the pot is not submerged in water with the roots stagnating in it. This will cause root rot in the long term.
I mist my Fiddle Leaf Fig weekly, and I keep it in a room filled with plants where the humidity always range between 40% and 65%.
It’s worth noting that in different regions, the change in seasons requires adjustments to our home climates, which it affects the humidity levels.
For example; I live in Central Canada. Our winters are very cold and dry, and our summers are sunny and hot. Both the heat in winter and the air conditioning in summer dry the air inside our home during these two seasons. However, during the shoulder seasons, when little heat and air conditioning is used, the air is much more humid.
This change in humidity levels within our home necessitates a change in watering frequency and humidity exposure for my plants.
When the air is dry in winter and summer, I will have to water and mist my Fiddle Leaf Fig more, while during the shoulder seasons, when the air is not so dry, I will cut back on the amount of water and misting.
The beautiful, leathery leaves of the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
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fiddle leaf fig watering and fertilizing
After the initial years of struggles due to poor lighting, my Fiddle Leaf Fig has become one of the easiest plants to care for in our home. (I have over 100 plants!).
I promise you that once you figure out the proper lighting for your plant and have it planted in a draining terracotta pot, all you have to do is to water it consistently.
What does consistently mean?
Consistently means that you maintain its habitual watering schedule, avoiding long periods of drought followed by periods of by-weekly waterings.
In my case, I water my Ficus once a week.
It’s the one plant I water on schedule every week, except during the shoulder seasons when it’s more humid.
It sits by a South-facing window and is planted in a draining terra cotta pot.
The morning sun and the abundant light help the soil dry out. The porosity of the terracotta pot allows the soil the breathe and dry out quicker than it would into a plastic pot.
This is why I water MY Fiddle Leaf Fig once a week. I might cut back on the amount of water I give it during the shoulder seasons.
However, your Fiddle Leaf Fig might be in a different location and it might require a different watering schedule.
The rule of thumb is to maintain the top soil slightly moist, without allowing the soil to dry out.
Too wet, and the roots may rot; too dry, and the leaves might loose their bright, deep green.
I feed my Fiddle Leaf Fig once a month with a Liquid Plant Food from Spring to Fall.
A cascade of lush Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves.
fiddle leaf fig soil and repotting
I’ve written a Blog specific to Repotting my Giant Fiddle Leaf Fig Into The Biggest Pot. If you want very detailed information and step-by-step instructions, I suggest you read that Blog.
At this point, you need to know that you’ll probably have to repot your Fiddle Leaf Fig once a year, ideally in the Spring.
You don’t necessarily need to upsize the pot every year, but replacing the nutrient-depleted soil every year is a great practice.
This plant requires a a well-draining soil.
It can be a peat-based mix containing perlite, a Fiddle Leaf Fig specific mix, or a generic indoor plant soil mixed with perlite to add drainage.
Personally, I mix a generic indoor plant soil with perlite. (I add 1 part perlite to 4 parts soil).
As mentioned more than once previously, it is critical that your Fiddle Leaf Fig is planted into a draining terracotta pot. The porosity of terracotta allows the soil to breathe and dry out quicker than other materials like plastic and glazed ceramic, preventing waterlogging and root rot.
Always pick a pot one size, max. two bigger than its previous one. Don’t go too big, or the roots of your plant will be crushed by too much damp soil.
For more on repotting indoor plants, click here.
It will become increasingly challenging to find terracotta pots big enough to repot your ever-growing Fiddle Leaf Fig. Persists until you find one. Don’t opt for plastic pots, even if they have drainage holes.
If you reach the desperate situation in which you cannot find a terracotta pot big enough for your Fiddle Leaf Fig (I have been there!), you can prune the roots to contain the growth of your plant.
More on this in the next section.
The roots of this Fiddle Leaf Fig clearly need more space. It’s time for this plant to be repotted into a pot two sizes bigger than its current one!
To give you an example; this Fiddle Leaf Fig is planted in a 16″ pot. I will repot it into a 20″ pot, which is two sizes bigger than its current one. (Pots are sold in 2″ increments).
fiddle leaf fig pruning
Pruning is another maintenance practice for your Fiddle Leaf Fig Care.
There are two types of pruning; branch/stem pruning and root pruning.
They can both be done on this plant in Spring and Summer.
While I’ve never pruned any of its branches, I have pruned its roots out of necessity with great results.
Why prune plants? Pruning is generally done to remove decaying parts of a plant and to promote healthy and fuller growth.
In the case of the Fiddle Leaf Fig, however, it is not recommended to prune its branches until the plant has reached maturity and a certain size. It is also not a necessary practice if your plant is healthy. You don’t prune a Fiddle Leaf Fig as you would a Pothos or a Monstera.
If you do want to prune it because it’s leggy, wait until your plant is at least 5 feet tall before pruning its branches.
To properly prune your plant to promote further branching and fullness, cut the main branches above the leaf node (leaf attachment to the branch). Do not cut more than 30% of your plant’s branches!
Part of pruning also involves removing decaying branches and leaves. This can be done year round to promote healthy growth of your plant.
By removing a decaying part of your plant, you divert the energy your plant was still channeling towards that part into new growth.
Let’s talk root pruning now.
Root pruning is generally performed to contain and maintain the growth of a plant.
I’ve done it a few years ago on my Fiddle Leaf Fig because I wasn’t able to find a terracotta pot bigger than 16″ in diameter.
The results were incredible. My plant stopped growing in height but became fuller, growing more beautiful and lush leaves.
Read this Blog on Root Pruning my Fiddle Leaf Fig for all the details.
My daughter Gaia helping throughout the root pruning process.
fiddle leaf fig propagation
The most successful method of Fiddle Leaf Fig propagation is done by stem cutting, rather than leaf cutting.
You can propagate your stem either in water or soil. Personally, I prefer water propagation because I enjoy observing root development.
To propagate your Fiddle Leaf Fig stem in water;
- You will need a branch with at least four healthy leaves.
- Additionally, you will need some rooting hormone to ensure successful propagation.
- Use a pair of sharp pruning shears to cut the stem at a 45-degree angle between nodes. (Nodes are the protrusions where leaves attach to the stem, and eventually, roots will form from them. Nodes are not as visible on Fiddle Leaf Figs as they are on other plants, so consider your leaves’ attachments as nodes).
- Remove the two bottom leaves, leaving at least two or three leaves at the top. I recommend you cut the remaining leaves in half to divert the leaves’ energy towards roots development.
- Dip the stem in rooting hormone, ensuring that the nodes where the two leaves were removed are coated as well.
- Submerge your stem in a glass jar filled with water, ensuring that the nodes are under water and that the cut leaves are above the water line. Place in a bright and warm spot, avoiding direct sunlight.
- Replace the water once a week or every 10 days.
- You’ll notice the first roots within three weeks.
- Do not repot in soil until the roots are at least two inches long.
Remember that when you first repot your rooted stem from water to soil, your new plant will need more water than usual as it is still adapting to the change from water to soil.
The end of a healthy branch like this one is the ideal candidate for stem pruning.
fiddle leaf fig brown spots and other common problems
BROWN SPOTS ON THE LEAVES
One of the biggest problems with the Fiddle Leaf Fig is the development of dark brown spots on its leaves.
While there could be several reasons for this (unfortunately, with plants, one symptom can be caused by opposite issues like under-watering or over-watering), most of the time is a symptom of root rot due to either over-watering or poor drainage.
Both issues can be solved with a good repotting investigation. You don’t have to wait until Spring to do this if your plant is in jeopardy.
When dark brown spots are visible on several leaves:
- Remove your Fiddle Leaf Fig from its pot.
- Check the condition of its roots. If you find mushy roots, that fall apart in your hands, it means that the brown spots are caused by root rot. Remove as much decaying roots as you can. Remove as much soil from the root ball as possible and toss whatever soil is left in the pot.
- Observe the new size of your plant’s root ball once you remove the damaged roots and all the soil around it. Estimate the new pot size you’ll need. Make sure you are planting your Fiddle Leaf Fig into a draining terra cotta pot with well draining soil (go back to the Soil and Repotting section for more info).
- If the roots are in good condition, but the soil is really damp, remove all the soil and replace with fresh soil.
- You can trim the brown leaves following the brown edges, knowing that those leaves will eventually fall.
- Place your Fiddle Leaf Fig in a very bright area, (see Ideal Lighting section).
Dark brown spots on your Fiddle Leaf Fig can also be caused by temperature fluctuations due to drafts. Make sure your plant is moved to a bright and warm area of your home, (see Ideal Lighting section as well as Temperature and Humidity section).
OTHER PROBLEMS
Even though the Fiddle Leaf Fig is not as prone to pests as other plants are, other problems can arise with it.
The most common are Spider Mites, Scale, and Fungus Gnats.
While Spider Mites and Scale are pests that affect the leaves, Fungus Gnats attacks the rootlets and are visible on the soil.
I treat all pests that attack the foliage by cleaning leaves, and when possible, the stems, with a non-toxic homemade solution.
This has the double function of dusting the leaves, which tends to collect quite a bit of dust.
It is a good practice to remove dust from your plants’ leaves once a year, especially in the Fall in preparation for Winter, when the plants need as much light as possible to process photosynthesis effectively. A layer of dust on the leaves doesn’t make for effective photosynthesis.
For a faster action, you can spray some neem oil to remove the majority of pests.
When it comes to soil and rootlets pests, I use a combination of strategies, as described on my Blog on Fungus Gnats.
Unfortunately, you need to fight this pesky pest at all stages of its life, (larvae in the soil and flying adult lingering around your plant).
I cover the soil in cinnamon and periodically use hydrogen peroxide to water the plant in order to fight the larvae.
I trap the adults with yellow sticky traps
TOXICITY
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is considered a toxic plant for human pets, if any parts of its body is accidentally ingested.
Dark brown spots so common in Fiddle Leaf Figs.
I hope you found this Blog informative and useful.
Feel free to write a message below if you have any other questions regarding your Fiddle Leaf Fig! ✌🏻
Disclosure: This Blog contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no cost to you, if you make a purchase after clicking my link.
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Hey Plant Loving Woman!
Are you a middle age mom?
Do you constantly feel overwhelmed and anxious?
Do you believe in the healing power of nature?
To reveal your #1 Personal Houseplant that best
helps you reduce your anxiety.