Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is a very popular houseplant known for its large, dramatic leaves. It is a statement houseplant that makes a bold impact as a centerpiece plant in interior spaces.
Fiddle-Leaf Fig can get big (it is really a tree) when kept as a houseplant. Fiddle-Leaf Fig can grow to 8 to 10 feet tall. Fiddle-Leaf Fig is not the easiest houseplant to take care of because it is sensitive to temperature fluctuations and inconsistent watering. However, once you get the hang of taking care of Fiddle-Leaf Fig, you will be rewarded with a fast growing, happy indoor tree!
Here is a guide on how to take care of your Fiddle-Leaf Fig.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Infographic
Fiddle Leaf Fig Characteristics
| Name | Fiddle Leaf Fig |
| Scientific Name | Ficus lyrata |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light |
| Daytime Temperature | 70 to 80 F (21-26C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 60 to 70 F (15-21C) |
| Water | Medium Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
| Potting | Well-draining, organic, all-purpose potting soil |
| Fertilizer | Once every 2 weeks at half strength but not in the Fall or Winter |
What are Other Names of Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant?
Fiddle Leaf Fig is also called Banjo Fig.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Varieties
There are a few Fiddle-Leaf Fig Varieties.
- Ficus lyrata (Little Fiddle)- A dwarf variety of Fiddle Leaf Fig that grows up to 6 feet tall
- Ficus lyrata (Ivonne)- A variegated variety of Fiddle Leaf Fig with very attractive light green and white leaves
Do Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Prefer Sun or Shade?
Fiddle Leaf Fig will thrive in a bright area without direct sunlight (you need to filter the light). It is not happy in shade.
Placement of Fiddle Leaf Fig Houseplant
East Facing Window
If you have an East facing window, your Fiddle-Leaf Fig can tolerate a few hours of direct morning sun.
West Facing Window
If you place it in front of a West facing window, the direct sun from the afternoon sun is too intense for your Fiddle-Leaf Fig. You will need to filter the light with sheer blinds or sheer curtains.
South Facing Window
If you place your Fiddle-Leaf Fig in front of a South facing window, the direct sun all day is also too intense so you will also need to filter the light.
Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig needs direct filtered sunlight, if you place it in an area that is mostly shade then it will not be happy and will not grow as well.
How Often Should You Water Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Houseplant?
Fiddle Leaf Fig prefers soil that is not overly wet and not overly dry. It has moderate watering requirements. Your watering frequency will be highly dependent on the type of pot and how dry your home is. You should let the soil dry halfway before watering your Fiddle-Leaf Fig.
How Do You Know When to Water Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Houseplant?
Water your Fiddle-Leaf Fig when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it’s time to water is by sticking your finger into the soil 1 inch deep. If the soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your Fiddle-Leaf Fig.
The frequency of watering will be dependent on the type of pot you have your Fiddle-Leaf Fig in. Unglazed pots like terracotta are porous and will dry up more quickly than if you have your Fiddle-Leaf Fig planted in plastic, metal or glazed ceramic pots. These pots don’t breathe so will retain moisture much longer.
The environment will also affect how often you water your Fiddle-Leaf Fig. Hot summer days will require more watering (even if your Fiddle-Leaf Fig is indoors) while cold, winter days will require less watering.
What Type of Water Should You Use When Watering Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant?
Fiddle Leaf Fig can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Fiddle-Leaf Fig. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Fiddle-Leaf Fig.
Fiddle-Leaf Fig prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold. When you turn on the cold water from the faucet add a little bit of warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature.
How Do You Make Sure There is Proper Drainage for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Houseplant?
Fiddle Leaf Fig needs proper drainage otherwise it might suffer from stem rot. To ensure proper drainage, make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. After watering your plant, don’t let it sit in the puddle of water that has accumulated in the saucer. Empty out the water from the saucer.
Do You Need to Mist Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Houseplant?
Fiddle Leaf Fig is a native tropical plant from Africa that thrives in warm and humid conditions of rainforests. It’s unrealistic to recreate this humid environment in your indoor space but there are things you can do to increase indoor humidity.
You can increase humidity by misting your Fiddle-Leaf Fig twice a week with a spray bottle of water. Another way to increase humidity is to run the humidifier in the room. You can also keep Fiddle-Leaf Fig in a saucer filled with water but make sure the pot is elevated with pot feet or pebbles.
What Type of Potting Mix is Best for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant?
Fiddle Leaf Fig needs a well-draining, organic potting mix. You can buy premixed potting soil with organic fertilizers and beneficial microbes like mycorrhizal fungi.
It’s best to buy organic soil mixtures because non-organic soil mixtures often contain a higher concentration of fertilizer which can burn the roots of your plant. Non-organic soil mixtures are not generally suitable for houseplants.
Do You Need to Fertilize Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants?
Fiddle Leaf Fig plants will benefit from a once every 2 weeks application of fertilizer. Apply fertilizer at half strength when it’s actively growing. Don’t feed in the Fall and Winter months when it’s dormant and not growing.
What Fertilizer Should You Use on Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant?
Use organic fertilizers with a higher ratio of nitrogen content.
How Do You Know When To Repot Fiddle Leaf Fig Houseplant?
You will need to repot your Fiddle-Leaf Fig plant every year. Buy a larger pot, around 4 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. Make sure you buy a pot that has drainage holes at the bottom so water doesn’t accumulate and cause root rot and stem rot.
Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig can grow really big, stop repotting once you have reached optimal size. Repot Fiddle-Leaf Fig in a heavy pot so it doesn’t topple over. When repotting Fiddle-Leaf Fig, wear gloves because Fiddle-Leaf Fig is toxic to humans.
How Big Does Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Get?
Fiddle Leaf Fig are large houseplants that can grow to 8 to 10 feet tall. You will need a heavy pot for your Fiddle-Leaf Fig so it doesn’t topple over.
How Do You Propagate Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants?
Fiddle Leaf Fig plants are difficult to propagate. One way to propagate Fiddle-Leaf Fig is by air layering. However, know that it is tricky to do.
How to Propagate Your Fiddle Leaf Fig by Air Layering
Air layer Fiddle Leaf Fig by first cutting a stem 1/3 of the way, just below the node. Cut diagonally. Don’t cut more than a third of the stem. After making the cut, wipe away any sap with a damp cloth. Prop open the cut with a toothpick and then apply rooting hormone on the cut and wrap it with moistened, sphagnum moss. Wrap the moss with plastic and tape it so it securely holds the moss but keep the top open so you have access to water the cutting.
Keep up with the watering so the sphagnum moss is moist. In a month or so (or longer), there should be new roots. When the roots are around 2 inches or longer, you can cut off the stem from the parent plant and plant the cutting in a new pot. Air layering Fiddle-Leaf Fig is a long process. You will need to be committed and be prepared to give time and patience to tackle air layering.
Are Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants Toxic to Pets?
Fiddle Leaf Fig plants are toxic to humans and pets.
What are Common Problems that Affects Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants?
The common problems that affect Fiddle Leaf Fig are spider mites, leaf drop and leaf spot fungus.
Why are There Yellow and Brown Spots on Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig Leaves and There are Webbing on Leaves and Stems?
These are signs of spider mites attacking your Fiddle-Leaf Fig. It starts with yellow and brown spots on leaves and then eventually the entire leaf can even turn yellow and fall off the plant. You will also start to see spider web-like webbing covering the leaves and stems. These are telltale signs of spider mite infestation.
To treat spider mites on Fiddle-Leaf Fig, you can spray off the leaves with water from a garden hose. The force will cause the little spider mites to wash off the leaves. You can also wash mites off with soapy water or rubbing alcohol. There are also horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps that you can use to kill off spider mites.
Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap
Why are Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig Plant Leaves Dropping?
When you see your Fiddle-Leaf Fig leaves dropping, that is a sign that something is wrong. It’s normal if one or two old leaves drop from Fiddle-Leaf Fig but if a lot of leaves fall off all at once that is a sure sign that something is wrong.
It’s possible your Fiddle-Leaf Fig leaves are dropping because it’s been overwatered. Moving your Fiddle-Leaf Fig to a new location where it is not happy can also cause the leaves of your Fiddle-Leaf Fig to drop. Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig can also drop leaves if it’s too cold.
You need to do a little bit of digging around. Did you overwater your Fiddle-Leaf Fig? What is the daytime and nighttime temperature of the room, is it suitable for your Fiddle-Leaf Fig? You can resolve the leaves dropping problem, once you pinpoint what is causing the leaves to drop from your Fiddle-Leaf Fig.
Why are there Black or Brown Spots on the Leaves of Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig Plant?
If you see roundish black and brown spots on the leaves of your Fiddle-Leaf Fig this could be a sign of leaf spot fungus infection. Aside from the black and brown spots, leaf spot fungus can also cause the leaves of your Fiddle-Leaf Fig to turn yellow.
Leaf spot fungus is contagious because the fungus spores can travel in the air to infect other plants in the room. When you see these black and brown spots on the leaves of your Fiddle-Leaf Fig, immediately cut off the infected leaves and throw it away.
You can also spray your Fiddle-Leaf Fig with a homemade baking soda spray to prevent new infections. To make the baking soda spray, simply mix 1 teaspoon baking soda to 1 quart water and put it in a spray bottle. Don’t overspray since it can get in the soil. The key is to remove the infected leaves and that should hopefully stop the spread.
You May Also Be Interested In:
How to Take Care of Haworthia (infograph)