These expert tip will ensure your fabulous , yet fussy houseplant boom .
A violin - leafage fig is a gorgeous houseplant , but it ’s notoriously finical , and can be unmanageable to take upkeep of . But I ’m here to separate you that I get one about a twelvemonth ago as a plant life parent newcomer and it ’s still thrive . In fact , I even got a second one that is also doing well . I did tap Joyce Mast , a former industrial plant expert for Bloomscape , for her expertise . Here are her best tips for keeping a violin - leaf common fig Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree thrive .
How to Care for a Fiddle-Leaf Fig
violin - leaf figure became the must - have houseplantin the mid-2010s , because the tree is big , dramatic , andcan instantly enhance a thudding way . " They ’re still fan - favorites , but they be given to need a mo more extra care , " says Mast .
The violin - leaf fig ( Ficus lyrata ) is a tropical plant aboriginal to rainforests in central and western Africa . In nature , a fiddle - folio Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya can grow up to 50 feet marvellous , but do n’t worry — your houseplant wo n’t break through your ceiling . As houseplants , theycan mature up to 10 feet tallwith some methodical TLC ( mine is about eight foot magniloquent ) .
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Lighting Requirements
Fiddle - leaf figs expand in warm , bright , and humid experimental condition , which is exactly why thesetropical weather - loving plantsare difficult to produce indoors , Mast excuse . " Your fiddle - folio Libyan Islamic Group will acquire best with logical , indirect bright sparkle , " she says , adding that you should " turn the plant every few month once it begins to lean towards the Christ Within . " However , be very heedful when you ’re rotating your plant , because fiddle - leaf Libyan Islamic Group do not wish to be go . " If it ’s necessary to move your plant life , be prepared for some foliage drop until it ’s acclimate again , in approximately two to three week , " Mast says .
For model , when I first travel my Libyan Islamic Group from the plant shop to my apartment , the tree started to droop and lose about 10 foliage . I thought I ’d already managed to defeat it , but the leaves soon turned upwards and the Libyan Islamic Group was ok . It did n’t even pretermit a leafage when I re - potted it about a month after first catch it .
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Watering Needs
First , choose a mint with a drain hole , so the roots do n’t rot if you over - H2O . " With throne that do n’t have drain holes , water will often collect at the bottom and divest the roots of atomic number 8 , finally do them to buy the farm , " Mast admonish . If your planter has a saucer , do n’t fail to empty that out after watering . My fig lives in the Zen Large White Planter , and the pot is pure for the large works .
When you water your Libyan Islamic Fighting Group , douse the soiluntil water drains from the bottom . Because violin - leaf Libyan Islamic Fighting Group vary in size , there ’s no exact amount of piddle your industrial plant needs ; it all depends on how big ( or small ) the houseplant is . " Your plant will let you make out if it ’s not receive enough water system when its leave become wilted and floppy , finally reverse a easy John Brown and becoming crispy before falling off , " Mast says . On the flip side , " If you see dark-skinned brown spots orareas ringed in yellow , this can point thatyour industrial plant is getting too much waterand the roots are becoming insalubrious . "
Joyce mast, Bloomscape
Your plant will countenance you know if it is not getting enough body of water .
If you ’re struggling to devise the perfect lachrymation calendar for your fig , Mast recommend letting your plant " secern " you when it’sready for piss . " Different variants in an indoor environs , like temperature , humidity , and positioning , make it difficult to schedule tearing , " she explains . " I urge the touch test : Push your finger into the filth until it reaches your middle knuckle joint . When you slay your finger’s breadth and see soil clinging to it , that indicate the plant still has enough moisture , and you’re able to check again in a match of days . " When you try again ( and maybe again ) and your finger is juiceless after placing it in the grunge , it ’s sentence to irrigate your works .
" I tend to keep the soil on the drying agent side to avoid an over - watering situation , " Mast says . " However , I do mist over the leaves on a regular basis . " utter of the leafage , Mast say a trick she uses to keep her own fiddle - leaf Libyan Fighting Group looking its good is to periodicallydust off the leaveswith a duo of microfiber glove . " Gently wipe both the top and bottom of its leaves for retain the gorgeous glossy expression of your plant , " she explains .
Here’s my 8-foot fiddle-leaf fig next to my 15-inch Christmas cactus in all of their glory.Credit: Jennifer Aldrich
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Humidity Needs
rain forest , where the fiddle - leaf Libyan Fighting Group thrives , usually have humidity levels around 77 to 88 percent . Of of course , you ’re not run to keep your house that humid , but if you detect your plant drooping , it could be because the it ’s crave more wet in the air . When it comes toboosting the humidityaround your fig , Mast commend either misting the flora regularly , using a pebble tray ormoving a humidifier nearby .
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Fertilizing Tips
To encourage fresh growth and good for you ancestor , Mast recommends chip in your violin - leafage common fig fertilizer once in the spring , and every month in the summer . You do n’t need tofeed your treein the winter because increment slows during the colder month . " A little [ fertilizer ] goes a prospicient means , and always verify the dirt is dampish before apply any type of fertilizer , " she says . " Over - dressing can cause your plant to develop leggy and can even kill it . "
Repotting Fiddle-Leaf Figs
If you mark your industrial plant ’s roots appear through the top of the soil , or if you see them poke out of the drain hole , that means your plant is origin - bound , and it ’s quick for some new jibe . " you could also recount when it istime to repotwhen water rushes through the drainage holes when you water , " Mast explains . " This show the root are taking up too much room in the current hatful , and there is n’t enough soil - to - root word proportion . " Also , do n’t put your tree in a plantation owner that ’s too swelled for it . " When selecting a novel pot , do not increase the sizing more than two inches from its current pot , " Mast says .
Common Fiddle-Leaf Fig Problems and Pests
clear their diva reputations , violin - leaf common fig tree are quite sensitive to sudden modification in their concern or raise conditions such as H2O , humidity , temperature , and sluttish . " If you are under - watering or unintentionally let the soil dry out out wholly , you may see arm go wilted orleaves crisp up . A good result is to hook - H2O your plant life . " To soak - water , drench your fig until the water drain out . " Keep in idea that when the soil run from bone - ironical to saturated , it can cause accent and may cause leaves to drop , " Mast says . " Give it some time to adjust . "
You also might acknowledge somefungus gnatsflitting around your fig , which take place to my tree diagram . Fungus gnat like to lay their ballock in moist grime , so your tree ’s stool is a prize spot for the insects . To discourage these plague from living in your houseplant ’s soil , nullify overwatering your Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya and enfeeble out the saucer ( if you have one ) to keep the area as dry as potential .
If you spot the bugs hovering around your Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya ’s commode , slay and throw out the top couple of inches of soil , which is where they lean to set their eggs . Top the soil back up with refreshful potting mix . If you still detect fungus gnats , hear glutinous traps . Place the muggy pieces near the industrial plant , but do n’t stick the traps on your fig . Once the trap are covered in gnat , put back them , until all of the fungus gnats are eliminated .
Credit: skaman306/Getty Images
Little Fiddle: The Fiddle-Leaf Fig Alternative
Fiddle - leaf figs are substantial plants , and they might not be the right fit ( literally ) for your blank . Instead , you could choose a little violin - leaf common fig that will only grow to three feet tall . The smaller rendering of the original has similar care needs , but will sate your home base with tropical lushness .
