Home  •   Ask Judy  •   Is this a houseplant? Are these plant leaves OK?

Is this a houseplant? Are these plant leaves OK?

Hi Judy
I Live in Houston. I did buy this plant at IKEA about 3 years ago. I suspect that since it was at the store it should be an indoor plant. I did once leave it outside and it was summer time so the poor plant almost died. I have it inside ever since. I water it twice a week. And I’m trying to give it some more sunlight but seems to me it does not like it. One of the leaves did turn yellow so I did move it to a window where it does not get direct light. I’m worried because I see this plant is not as strong as the ones at the store.
Any advice?
Thank you!

Hi,

Large, green, hard leaves on Fiddle Leaf Ficus

Ficus Lyrata
Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Your picture is a little dark, but I think the plant is a Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig). Here’s a picture; what do you think?

Ficus-lyrata-10-BU

Here are some care tips that might help you.

Light
A Fiddle Leaf Fig requires bright indirect light. Insufficient light causes small new growth and leaf drop on a Ficus Lyrata. Turn a Fiddle Leaf Fig frequently to keep it growing straight. Too much sun causes the leaves of a Fiddle Leaf Fig to fade and lose their dark green color.
Water
A Lyrata, or Fiddle Leaf Fig, requires less water than other ficus trees. Allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out and the leaves to become soft and flexible before watering a Ficus Lyrata. Keep water off of the large fiddle shaped leaves of this ficus to prevent mold.
fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.  
Fertilize a Fiddle Leaf Fig monthly in the spring and summer using a basic houseplant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Too much fertilizer when the plant is not actively growing causes leaf burn.
Temperature
Fiddle Leaf Figs do well in temperatures between 60-80 degrees. Keep the Fiddle Leaf and all Ficus away from air conditioners, drafts, and heating vents. Intense cold or heat causes leaf drop on a Ficus Tree.
Humidity
A Ficus Lyrata plant does well in normal household humidity through it prefers higher humidity.
You can read more about this plant in the Popular Houseplant section of the website.
http://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/ficus-lyrata-how-to-grow-care