Everywhere you look you see fiddle leaf figs. They have become super popular due to how often they are seen in home decor projects and magazines. I have always loved their large smooth green leaves but I have never had a green thumb. If I can keep these things alive, trust me, you can too. Fiddle leaf figs or Ficus Lyrata, can grow up to six feet or more, given the proper care. Every time I see a healthy growing fig, I always ask the owner to share their tips. Here are 9 tips for caring for your fig.
- Patience- I have had my two figs for over two years now and my biggest piece of advice is patience. These things are not fast growers.
- Get the watering down right- You don’t want to leave them soaking wet, but do want their soil to stay moist. Watering will vary on size of plant and environment but use the one-inch test. Once the top inch of soil feels dry, it’s time to water. If the top inch isn’t dry, do not water it. I recently learned that a sign of overwatering is yellowing of leaves before falling off. If your fig is underwatered, the leaves can look mostly healthy with some brown spots on the edges but the edges will usually appear curled.
- Light- Figs love bright indirect light. Find a spot in your house that provides this for the majority of the day.
- Rotate- As your fig grows, it will start to lean or bend towards the light. Rotate your plant every once in a while so it will grow upright.
- Avoid drafts- Figs do not tolerate drafts from windows, doors, or AC Vents well. Take this into consideration when choosing a location.
- Drainage- Your fig must have proper drainage. If your pot does not have a drainage hole, water will sit and cause roots to rot.
- Monitor your container- Once roots start to grow out of the pot’s drain hole, it’s time for repotting.
- Give those leaves a shine– Once a week before watering, I take a soft cloth and wipe down all my leaves. Dusty leaves prevent light absorption, so keep them clean and shiny.
- Fertilize- This is something I just learned. Figs should be fertilized several times a year, making sure you do it at least once in the Spring and once in the Summer.
Ready to bring one home? You can find them at Lowes, Home Depot, Garden Goods Direct, and many local nurseries.
Need food for your fig friend? Try one of these:
There are tons of super cute pots available! Some of my favorite sources for pots and planters are West Elm, Urban Outfitters, World Market and Wayfair. If you find a pot you love that does not have drainage holes, you can always drill holes into the bottom of the pot and then place a clear drainage pan below.
I really love the look of planters with stands but most don’t have drainage. To solve this issue, you can pot the plant in a container with holes that is smaller than the planter and drop it down inside.
Still not sure if you want the real thing? There are plenty of dupes out there now too!