How to Grow a Fiddle Leaf Fig - Ficus Lyrata Care Tips

Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant

Ficus lyrata

A Ficus Lyrata, or as it’s commonly called a Fiddle Leaf Fig plant, has large wide leathery leaves that resemble a violin or fiddle. These dark green hard leaves on a Fiddle Leaf Fig plant are over a foot in length and grow on woody stems.The Ficus lyrata, native to Australia, Melanesia, and Southern Asia, is one of the easier ficus trees to care for. This plant can be small enough to use as a table plant or large enough to be used as an indoor tree.

These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. The sap of a Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant is very irritating so use gloves when working with this plant. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in my book Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants

Light

A Fiddle Leaf Fig requires bright indirect lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light.. In low lightWhen you select “Low Light” a list of the most adaptive plants in our database appears. These plants can live in lighting conditions too low to support any other plants in our database, but will grow faster in medium and high light. Variegation (color) in the leaves is often lost in low light. A plant in low light needs less water and fertilizer than the same plant in better light. Place a low-light plant within 2-3 ft. of a window with a northern exposure, 3-5 ft. of a window with an eastern exposure, 4-10 ft. of a window with a western exposure, and 10-18ft. of a window with a southern exposure. A low light area has between 50-150 ft. candles of light. The best low light house plants are: Chinese Evergreen, Dracaena Janet Craig, Peace Lily, Heart leaf Philodendron., new leaves are small and mature leaves may fall off. Turn a Fiddle Leaf Fig frequently to keep it from growing toward the light and becoming lop-sided. Too much bright lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light. causes the leaves to fade and lose their dark green color.

Water

A 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. Keep the leaves dry and water off of the large fiddle shaped leaves to prevent mold. Too much water and water on the leaves can also cause ugly brown spots on the leaves.

Fertilizer

Fertilize monthly in the spring and summer with a basic houseplant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. Too much 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. , when the plant is not actively growing, causes leaf tip burn.

Temperature

Fiddle Leaf Fig trees do well in temperatures between 60°-80°F (15.6° 26.7°C). Keep all types of ficus trees away from air conditioners, cold drafts, and heating vents. Intense cold or heat causes leaf drop.

Humidity

This plant does well in normal household humidity through it prefers high humidity.

Pests

The broad leaves of a Fiddle Leaf Fig attract Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants., thripThrip are tiny winged brown insects that feed on the surfaces of plant leaves, flowers, and buds. They leave silver spots around their feeding areas and dark dots of excrement. Thrip not only weaken plant growth and distort buds and flowers, they transmit viruses from plant to plant as they fly around. The Green Solution, Neem Oil, and Yellow Sticky Cards all are effective in eliminating thrip., whiteflyLearn how to identify and treat the plant pest called Whitefly at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary/whitefly-plant-pests, spider mitesLearn how to identify and treat Spider Mites on plants. This sucking plant pest causes yellow blotchy leaves with a red haze and a gritty feel to them., and AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com.. Spray every other week with warm soapy water to ward off Plant PestLearn how to identify and treat the plant pest called Whitefly at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary/whitefly-plant-pestss. Spraying a Fiddle Leaf Fig also keeps the large leaves dust free and clean so they can absorb more light. Dry leaves after spraying.

Diseases

powdery mildewPowdery mildew is a plant disease that puts a grayish white powder on plant leaves and stems. View a picture of this plant disease and learn how to treat it., root rot, and Leaf Spot DiseaseWhen a plant gets Leaf Spot Disease, the attacking fungus or bacteria leaves small brown spots trimmed in yellow where it is feeding on the leaves. These spots may vary in shape, color, and size. As with all other fungal and bacterial diseases, better air circulation, well-drained soil, dry leaves, and less water help control Leaf Spot Disease on plants. Never mist a plant if Leaf Spot Disease is suspected. You can use a commercial fungicide to treat Leaf Spot Disease or the homemade remedy of putting a tablespoon or two of baking soda and a teaspoon or two of mineral oil in a spray bottle of water. Shake the solution well and then spray all areas of the plant that are infected. Keep infected plants away from your other houseplants.

Soil

Use a well-aerated potting soil that holds water but still drains quickly.

Pot Size

Fiddle Leaf Fig plants, like all ficus plants, like being root-bound in small pots.

Pruning

If a Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata) gets too tall, gently remove it from its pot and trim the roots. Trimming the roots limits how tall the plant grows. Root trimming a ficus plant can be done every few years during winter and fall. Cutting the stems back in the early spring encourages a ficus tree to become bushier.

Propagation

Propagate using air layeringLearn how to use Air Layering to propagate houseplants. and stem cuttings.

Poisonous Plant Info

A Fiddle Leaf Fig is considered a poisonousPlants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Some plants contain chemicals such as oxalates, solanine, glycosides, or alkaloid lycorine that may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the mouth, throat, and lips, and trouble breathing. Touching parts of certain plants, especially the sap, may cause various skin irritations. The weight and age of the human or pet involved, and the part and amount of plant eaten determine how severe the reaction to the toxins will be. Although plants may be listed as non-toxic, they can still cause individual allergic reactions. If there is any question after a houseplant has been ingested or touched immediately call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 The Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Paperback]is an excellent reference to keep around if you have young children and pets. houseplant with a toxicity levelThese are general guidelines that describe how poisonous certain houseplants are. It's possible for an allergic reaction to occur from contact with any houseplant, toxic or non-toxic. If there is ever a concern, call: Poison Control Center: ******1-800-222-1222****** Level #1: Houseplants with low toxicity, may be mildly irritating, especially the sap of the plant. Level#2: Houseplants with medium to severe toxicity. Eating parts of these houseplants may result in vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, skin irritations, and breathing difficulties. Level #3: These houseplants are very poisonous. When eaten, especially in large quantities, severe vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, skin irritations, and breathing difficulties can occur. Level #4: These houseplants are extremely poisonous. Eating parts of these houseplants can be be life threatening. Every plant listed in our Popular HousePlant guide has a section explaining whether or not it is poisonous and, if so, how poisonous. Amaryllis, alocasia, dieffenbachias, crotons, ivies, azaleas, lilies, and philodendrons are just a few of the highly poisonous plants we use in our homes and offices all of the time. If you don't know whether your houseplant is poisonous, go to Ask Judy on the HousePlant411.com website, send her a picture of your plant, and she'll let you know if the houseplant should be kept away from small children and pets. See colorful pictures and get more information about poisonous houseplants in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants #1 . The sap of is especially irritating.

Why are the new leaves on my Fiddle Leaf Ficus plant smaller and further apart on the stem than the older leaves. Should I fertilize more?

Leaves on a Fiddle Leaf ficus are smaller and further apart when the plant is not getting enough light. You may have to move your Fiddle Leaf Fif to different locations in your home as the seasons change so that it always has enough light.

Can I move my Fiddle Leaf Fig outside in the summer?

Yes, you can move a Fiddle Leaf Fig outside for the summer as long as you keep it in the shade and transition it slowly when you decide to move it back inside your home. A Fiddle Leaf Fig , like other ficus trees, doesn’t do well when there are sudden changes in light or temperature.

Why are the bottom leaves of my Fiddle Leaf Fig falling off?

Leaves fall off a Fiddle Leaf Fig tree when the plant is over-watered or the bottom leaves are not getting enough light. Sudden changes in temperature and light can also cause leaf drop.

Is the white sap that comes out of cuts in the Fiddle Leaf Fig plant leaves harmful?

The sap from a Fiddle Leaf Fig plant is a form of “latex.” It can irritate the skin and cause problems if ingested. If you are allergic to latex, always use rubber gloves when working with a Fiddle Leaf Fig.

Why do the leaves of my Fiddle Leaf Fig plant get big brown ugly spots that spread over the leaf. What's causing this and how do I treat it?

Without seeing the brown spots on your Fiddle leaf Fig plant, there may be a few things that causing the problem. Over watering causes root rot and this can cause brown spots. If the humidity is high or the leaves are frequently wet, Leaf Spot DiseaseWhen a plant gets Leaf Spot Disease, the attacking fungus or bacteria leaves small brown spots trimmed in yellow where it is feeding on the leaves. These spots may vary in shape, color, and size. As with all other fungal and bacterial diseases, better air circulation, well-drained soil, dry leaves, and less water help control Leaf Spot Disease on plants. Never mist a plant if Leaf Spot Disease is suspected. You can use a commercial fungicide to treat Leaf Spot Disease or the homemade remedy of putting a tablespoon or two of baking soda and a teaspoon or two of mineral oil in a spray bottle of water. Shake the solution well and then spray all areas of the plant that are infected. Keep infected plants away from your other houseplants. is a problem. If there is not enough light, you can get dry brown spots on the older growth. Remove the diseased leaves, try to keep water off of the healthy leaves, decrease your water, and increase the air circulation around the plant.

Why do the leaves of a Ficus Lyrata plant turn yellow?

The leaves of a Ficus Lyrata, or as it's commonly called a Fiddle Leaf Fig, usually turn yellow because of an insect infestation such as scaleSoft Brown Scale is the most common scale that attacks indoor houseplants especially ficus, ivy, spider plants, ferns, aralia, and schefflera. It appears as small bumpy brown spots that appear to move. As the scale sucks on the sap of the plant it secretes a sticky substance called honeydew. The honeydew attracts black mildew. Because of the shell-like exterior, sprays are only partially effective against scale. Wipe off the lines of brown oval bumps with your finger, a cloth, or a child’s toothbrush then spray the plant with Neem Oil. Use the Green Solution to clean off the black mildew., spider mitesLearn how to identify and treat Spider Mites on plants. This sucking plant pest causes yellow blotchy leaves with a red haze and a gritty feel to them., or Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants.. The plants pests suck the color from the leaves. If the Ficus Lyrata is getting too much sun the leaves may bleach out and take on a yellowish hue.

Why do the leaves on a Fiddle Leaf Fig get brown edges?

A Fiddle Leaf Fig will get brown leaf edges when the humidity is very low, when it is getting too much 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. , and when there is too much salt in the water you are using. Never use water that has passed through a softener and always dilute your 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. to 1/2 the recommended strength to prevent brown edges on leaves.