Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)sometimes gets a finicky reputation. It's not the easiest houseplant to grow, but its lovely large leaves and tree form make it worth a little effort and a good choice even for the beginning gardener. These small trees are well adapted to indoor temperatures and filtered light and are hardy enough to survive less-than-ideal conditions.
If you have a window that receives bright morning light you can grow this fig. Plant in quality soil, establish a consistent watering schedule and it grows reliably and fairly quickly to between six and ten feet tall with little fuss. Fiddle leaf fig is toxic to people and pets.
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| Common Name | Fiddle leaf fig, banjo fig |
| Botanical Name | Ficus lyrata |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Plant Type | Broadleaf evergreen |
| Mature Size | 50 ft. tall (outdoors), 10 ft. tall (indoors) |
| Sun Exposure | Part shade |
| Soil Type | Loamy, medium moisture, well-draining |
| Soil pH | 6 to 7 |
| Bloom Time | Rarely flowers outside of its native area |
| Flower Color | Insignificant |
| Hardiness Zones | 10-12 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Tropical western Africa |
| Toxicity | Toxic to people and pets |
Fiddle Leaf Fig Care
- Place your plant near a window to receive filtered light.
- Plant in quality houseplant soil and repot young trees annually.
- Avoid overwatering and aim to keep soil moderately moist.
- Add support for the main stem.
- Rotate the pot every few days so all foliage faces the source of sunlight.
- Dust the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to boost photosynthesis.
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How Much Sunlight Do Fiddle Leaf Figs Need?
Fiddle leaf figs need bright, indirect light for about six hours of the day. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, if it's in a west-facing window exposed to hot afternoon sun. Plants adapt to low light but grow more slowly and may develop brown spots on lower leaves.
Inadequate light can contribute to drainage issues so plan to adjust the watering schedule in low-light conditions.
What Type of Potting Soil Is Best?
Any quality indoor plant potting mix is suitable for a fiddle leaf fig as long as it drains well. A peat-based soil mixed with perlite or a 50/50 combination of cactus and houseplant potting soil provides good drainage.
How Often Do I Need to Water My Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree?
Fiddle leaf figs like a moderate amount of moisture in the soil, so water the plant when the top inch or so of soil is dry. If the plant doesn’t get enough water, leaves wilt and lose their bright green color. Too much water and it might drop leaves and succumb to root rot.
These plants are sensitive to high salt levels in the soil. Salts can accumulate from clay pots, treated water, and fertilizers. Once a month, flush soil several times until water comes out of the bottom drainage holes to prevent salt build-up.
Temperature and Humidity
Average household temperatures kept at fairly steady levels between 60°F and 85°F suffice. Aim for humidity between 30 and 65 percent and leave some space around your plant for good air circulation. If you need to moisten dry winter air, adding a humidifier is a third option.
Do I Need to Fertilize My Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Yes, you should fertilize a fiddle leaf fig once a month during the growing season with a high-nitrogen plant food. An NPK 16-5-11 is a good choice with a ratio of roughly three parts nitrogen to one part phosphorous. You can use water soluble pellets or liquid fertilizers for houseplants including formulas specific for fiddle leaf fig.
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Types of Fiddle Leaf Fig
The main species, Ficus lyrata, is the most common fiddle leaf fig grown, but several cultivars are available including:
- Ficus lyrata ‘Bambino’: A dwarf variety that reaches just a few feet tall.
- Ficus lyrata ‘Compacta’: This variety grows to 5 feet tall and features smaller, denser leaves.
- ‘Variegata’Ficus lyrata : An uncommon variety with a showy mix of green and cream leaves.
How to Prune Fiddle Leaf Figs
Fiddle leaf fig benefits from occasional, selective pruning. Do this in late spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. Use a sturdy, sharp, hand pruner and make cuts at a 45-degree angle between leaf nodes. Take care to avoid damaging a branch or the main trunk.
Some growers prefer a tree-like appearance with a branched canopy. Expert growers suggest waiting until your fiddle leaf reaches 5 feet in height to begin this process. Then, top the main trunk above a leaf node to encourage branching. Once new branches form, additional cuts can be made to develop horizontal growth.
Removing dead leaves or trimming damaged ones can be done anytime. Dead leaves can often be gently pulled off. Brown edges can be trimmed if most of the leaf remains healthy and green. Follow the shape of the leaf to keep a more natural look.
Tip
When cut, fiddle leaf fig excretes a white, milky sap that can be messy and cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and wipe the cut with a damp cloth.
Propagating Fiddle Leaf Fig
It's easy to propagate fiddle leaf fig with stem cuttings, rooted in either soil or water. The process is essentially the same with both mediums. To propagate in water you'll need a sturdy hand pruner, rooting hormone, and a clear glass container.
Propagate in Water
- Cut a branch with at least three leaf nodes. Make the cut at a 45-degree angle just above a node.
- Remove the bottom leaves. Pinch off bottom leaves to keep them from touching the soil or water the propagation will go in. Leave a leaf or two on the stem.
- Place in water. Insert the cutting in room temperature water, with nodes submerged and foliage above the water line. Top leaves can be cut in half to direct energy into root development.
- Set in bright, indirect light. Place in a warm spot to receive bright, indirect light. Direct light will be too strong.
- Change water weekly. Roots appear in two to three weeks.
- Transplant the cutting. Once roots are 1 to 2 inches long, transplant the cutting to a pot with fresh soil. Water deeply and place in bright, indirect light.
Propagate in Soil
To root cuttings in soil, begin with steps 1 and 2 listed above. Dip the bottom in rooting hormone and insert it into a pot filled with well-draining potting soil. A pot at least 6 inches in diameter with drainage holes is usually sufficient.
Firm soil to keep the cutting upright and cover with a plastic bag. Place in a warm location with bright, indirect light. After two weeks begin checking for root growth by tugging gently on the cutting. Resistance indicates success.
Potting and Repotting Fiddle Leaf Fig
Plan to repot a young fiddle leaf fig annually every spring. Select a sturdy container that is roughly 2 inches larger in diameter than the existing one. Gently loosen the plant from its current pot, lift it out while supporting its base, and place it in the new pot. Fill in around the plant with potting mix.
If mature plants are too large to repot, remove the top several inches of soil each spring and replace it with fresh soil.
Tip
If your decorative pot lacks drainage, plant in plastic and set it inside the prettier pot. Make sure to drain all excess water before replacing the plant in the decorative container.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The large, fiddle-shaped leaves on this fig let you know if problems arise. These plants don’t have serious pest or disease issues, but houseplants can attract spider mites, scale insects, and fungal diseases.
Watch for spots, dark patches, or white webbing on the leaves. Neem or horticultural oil often eradicates pests. Otherwise, treat with a fungicide or pesticide.
Pests to Watch
Though they aren't known for being prone to pests, fiddle leaf figs may deal with common houseplant issues like scale, mealy bugs, aphids, thrips, and spider mites. Prevent problems with adequate air circulation and a good watering plan.
Common Problems With Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle leaf figs are hardy plants that thrive even in office environments with little attention. To get the best performance from yours, give it a little extra care and make adjustments at the first sign of leaf distress.
Bleached Leaves
If you see light brown or bleached spots on the top of the leaves, the plant may be getting too much direct sunlight. This is called leaf sunburn or leaf scorch. Relocate your plant to a spot with bright, filtered morning light. Don't remove the leaves unless they're fully yellow or brown—until that point, the leaf is still using them for energy.
Brown Spots on Leaves
Dark brown spots or browning edges are an indication of root rot due to overwatering or letting the plant sit in water. Check roots and remove any that are brown and mushy. Trim back spotted leaves and repot in fresh, dry soil. Adjust your watering schedule.
Temperature fluctuations also cause brown spots. Check for drafts and relocate to a spot with consistent temperatures if necessary.
Yellowing Leaves
If new leaves are yellowing, the plant may have a bacterial infection. This is tougher to correct but try removing affected leaves and repotting in fresh soil. Isolate it until it recovers.
Dropping Leaves
If your fiddle leaf fig is dropping green leaves, it's often because it's not getting enough light or it's experience temperature extremes. Assess the plant's light situation and move it away from drafty or particularly hot areas.
FAQ
Is a fiddle leaf fig a low-maintenance plant?
Fiddle leaf figs are not exactly low-maintenance and are known to be a bit finicky, though with proper care routine, this fairly hardy plant can be happy. If you give them warmth, humidity, bright, indirect light, and consistent watering, they will thrive.
Does a fiddle leaf fig plant do well indoors?
Fiddle leaf fig plants do well indoors. If you're just starting out with houseplants, this is good choice for a larger tree form that doesn't require too much special knowledge or expertise.
Do fiddle leaf figs prefer direct sunlight?
No, fiddle leaf figs prefer bright, indirect light over direct sunlight. Place your plant near, but not directly in, a window that receives bright light or add a blind or shade to create filtered light. If you see light brown or white spots on your plant's leaves, that's a sign that it is getting too much direct sunlight.
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Ficus lyrata. North Carolina State Extension.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Fiddle leaf fig.”Aspca.org. N.p., n.d. Web.
Ficus Lyrata. Missouri Botanical Garden
Zarei, Mahvash et al. Evaluation of NaCl Salinity Tolerance of Four Fig Genotypes. Hort Science, vol. 51, no. 11, 2016. doi:10.21273/HORTSCI11009-16
