Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) are stunning houseplants with glossy, sturdy leaves that can be difficult to manage if you don’t have a strategy.
To keep your fiddle leaf fig healthy and productive all year round, follow this detailed guide. From lighting and watering to feeding and trimming, each of the 25 paragraphs below gives expert-backed advice for keeping your plant healthy and vibrant.
Curling, browning, yellowing, and other common leaf disorders are addressed in detail. No matter how much or how little experience you have with plant care, this article breaks it down into easy-to-follow steps that anyone can incorporate into their routines.
By following these methods, you may prevent issues like leaf loss or discoloration and encourage healthy, consistent growth. Let’s look at several ways to make your fiddle leaf fig the showstopper wherever you go. What are we waiting for? Let’s look at best practices for fiddle leaf fig maintenance.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Essentials: A Comprehensive Maintenance Guide
Optimize Indoor Lighting for Consistent Fiddle Leaf Fig Growth
Indoor fiddle leaf fig plants need 6–8 hours of indirect light per day to prevent brown patches on the leaves caused by direct sunlight. The best location for this plant is near an east or west window.
When growing fiddle leaf figs inside with limited light, it’s best to use a full-spectrum grow light 12 to 18 inches above the plant for 10 to 12 hours. This setup will mimic the plant’s natural light conditions. Minimize drafty areas while positioning fiddle leaf figs near windows to alleviate stress, which could lead to the yellowing of the leaves.
If you want your fiddle leaf figs to thrive in artificial lighting, it’s best to ease them into it over the course of a week to ten days. If you have a fiddle leaf fig tree in your home that faces north, you should cure symptoms like pale leaves—indicators that the tree needs more indoor sunlight—by increasing the amount of artificial lighting it receives.
To keep your fiddle leaf fig plants looking fresh and vibrant, it’s best to rotate them every two weeks to ensure even growth when grown inside.
Establish a Watering Routine to Prevent Overwatering Issues
Indoor fiddle leaf figs can easily be overwatered if not watched closely; water only when soil is dry, which should be done once or twice a week.
Indoor fiddle leaf figs can avoid root rot by being planted in a container with holes for drainage and using a mixture of peat, perlite, and potting soil that drains well.
When the weather is warm, water your fiddle leaf figs every 7 to 10 days. When the weather is cold, water them less frequently, every 10 to 14 days. For fiddle leaf figs, a moisture meter is an essential tool for precise plant care, particularly in urban areas where air currents can carry moisture.
When tending to fiddle leaf figs in very populated regions, be mindful of the soil drying rates since foot activity might change humidity. Proper watering is essential for the healthy growth of fiddle leaf fig plants; it also encourages best practices for fiddle leaf fig maintenance and stops the leaves from falling off.
Maintain Ideal Humidity Levels for Lush Fiddle Leaf Fig Foliage
Humidifier maintenance at 40–60% is necessary to achieve the ideal humidity levels for fiddle leaf figs when grown indoors in arid environments, as low moisture encourages the curling of the leaves.
To keep fiddle leaf figs happy and healthy indoors, spray the leaves gently twice or thrice daily, or use a pebble tray to increase humidity. The dry air can be combatted by using a humidifier for four to six hours daily while caring for fiddle leaf figs in air-conditioned areas.
If you want to keep your fiddle leaf figs healthy and pest-free, a hygrometer is a must-have tool. When caring for fiddle leaf figs in homes with pets, make sure the humidifier is secure and won’t harm the plants.
By keeping the relative humidity of the air at a constant level, you can keep your fiddle-leaf fig trees looking lush and healthy indoors, with glossy, vibrant leaves that don’t get brown spots.
Rotate Your Fiddle Leaf Fig for Balanced Growth and Symmetry
When growing fiddle leaf figs indoors, it’s important to rotate the plant every two weeks to even out the light and prevent uneven growth.
Avoid furniture that restricts the ability of the fiddle leaf fig to spin by placing it in a stable, well-lit spot in the living room. Rotate your fiddle leaf figs every ten days if they are cared for near south-facing windows to prevent scorching, which can cause the edges of their leaves to turn brown.
To facilitate rotation and back up basic fiddle leaf fig care ideas, use a plant dolly for bigger figs.
When you’re indoors caring for fiddle leaf figs throughout the winter, when light is scarce, be sure to rotate them more frequently. By aiding the preservation of healthy fiddle leaf fig plants and preventing the discoloration of their leaves, frequent rotation guarantees a balanced and aesthetically beautiful plant.
Clean Leaves Regularly to Boost Photosynthesis and Appearance
To keep your fiddle leaf figs clean indoors, just wipe them down with a damp towel every two or three weeks. When dust gets in the way of photosynthesis, the leaves start to wilt.
When cleaning fiddle leaf fig leaves, use a mixture of water and a drop of gentle dish soap rather than harsh chemicals.
To encourage fiddle leaf fig care in workplaces or offices, cleaning should be scheduled for off-peak hours. To keep fiddle leaf figs in bedrooms free of fungus, wash the leaves first thing in the morning and allow them to dry.
If you have pets and want to keep your fiddle leaf figs healthy, you should clean them with pet-safe materials and keep them out of reach. Cleaning indoor fiddle leaf figs on a regular basis enhances best practices for fig maintenance and keeps the foliage shiny and healthy while decreasing pests.
Monitor for Signs of Insufficient Sunlight to Prevent Weak Growth
Keep an eye out for pale, drooping leaves or slow development as signs that a fiddle leaf fig requires more daylight indoors.
For fiddle leaf fig care under artificial grow lights, especially in north-facing windows, use a 6500K bulb 12-18 inches above the plant for 10-12 hours. When caring for fiddle leaf figs indoors in colder locations, be careful not to overheat the plant with grow lights. Light and temperature variations exacerbate light stress.
The fiddle leaf fig is out of cold drafts that make indoor lighting issues worse. When caring for fiddle leaf figs inside in low light, vary the light sources seasonally to avoid addressing leaf discoloration.
Proactive monitoring promotes plant maintenance, which in turn prevents the loss of leaves caused by fiddle leaf fig solutions and guarantees vigorous development.
Adjust Watering for Seasonal Changes to Maintain Soil Balance
To help indoor fiddle leaf figs avoid root rot and adapt to the seasons, water them less frequently in the fall and winter—once every 10 to 14 days.
Using a moisture meter, check that the top two inches of soil are dry when caring for fiddle leaf figs indoors during seasonal changes. When caring for fiddle leaf figs in west-facing windows, be sure to monitor soil drying rates. You might need to make adjustments due to the heat.
Every day, while caring for fiddle leaf figs, you should check the humidity and temperature. Maintain a consistent but not excessive moisture level when tending to fiddle leaf figs in east-facing windows.
In addition to avoiding brown spots on fiddle leaf fig leaves and following best practices for fiddle leaf fig maintenance, making the proper changes ensures a balanced soil environment.
Use Organic Fertilizers to Boost Nutrient Levels Naturally
When it comes to organic fertilizers for fiddle leaf figs, the ideal one is fish emulsion, which should be used every four to six weeks during the spring and summer.
To avoid root burn while naturally fertilizing fiddle leaf figs, dilute fertilizer to half strength. Use banana peels sparingly to prevent mold, and bury the chopped peels for potassium if you can use them as fertilizer for fiddle leaf figs.
To enhance the soil’s calcium content and encourage fiddle leaf fig growth, mix in some crushed eggshells. When applying organic fertilizers to alleviate nutritional deficits, be vigilant for yellowing leaves. Such coloration is a sure sign of a nitrogen shortfall.
When tending to fiddle leaf figs, it’s easiest to use organic fertilizers that have already been blended. By aiding the preservation of healthy fiddle leaf fig plants and preventing the yellowing of the leaves, regular fertilization fosters luxuriant development.
| Fertilizer Type | Application Frequency | Nutrient Benefits | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Emulsion | Every 4-6 weeks | Nitrogen | Dilute to half strength |
| Banana Peels | Sparingly | Potassium | Bury to prevent mold |
| Crushed Eggshells | As needed | Calcium | Mix into soil |
| Pre-blended Organic | As per package | Balanced nutrients | Follow instructions |
Prune Strategically to Encourage Branching and Shape
Cutting above a node to promote growth and removing dead leaves from the base with sterile shears are the two main aspects of pruning a fiddle leaf fig plant.
When planting fiddle leaf figs in the spring, notch a node above a leaf to promote branching. Pruning the long, bushy branches of a fiddle leaf fig will modify the tree to your liking.
Sanitize shears with rubbing alcohol to avoid disease when you use them to prune fiddle leaf figs. To avoid stress and mistakes while pruning fiddle leaf figs, don’t take cuttings that are more than 10-15% of the plant.
As a fuller plant, fiddle leaf figs benefit from strategic pruning, which also improves the care schedule and reduces the risk of pests on indoor fiddle leaf figs.
Protect Your Fiddle Leaf Fig from Pests with Proactive Measures
Indoor fiddle leaf figs can be kept pest-free by inspecting the leaves weekly for scale, which might manifest as webs, fuzz, pimples, spider mites, or mealybugs.
Outdoor fiddle leaf figs can be protected from pests by spraying them with diluted neem oil every seven to ten days. Caregivers of fiddle leaf figs in humid regions should ensure adequate airflow to stave off pests that love such environments.
The best way to care for fiddle leaf figs is to keep them in regions where they won’t be attacked by pests, such as heavily populated areas. In homes with pets, be sure to apply pet-safe remedies and closely monitor fiddle leaf figs.
Taking preventative measures helps keep a fiddle leaf fig plant free of pests, stops the leaves from becoming brown, and encourages regular care.
| Pest Types | Signs | Treatment | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | Fuzz, pimples | Neem oil spray | Every 7-10 days |
| Spider Mites | Webs | Neem oil spray | Every 7-10 days |
| Mealybugs | White, cottony spots | Neem oil spray | Every 7-10 days |
Transition Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Outdoors for Seasonal Growth
To avoid sun shock, acclimate the fiddle leaf fig to outdoor conditions gradually over 7–10 days, starting with shaded hours.
Direct sunshine will scorch the leaves of fiddle leaf figs, so it’s best to grow them in a shady spot when you can. When growing fiddle leaf figs outside, it’s important to use a mix that drains well and to use containers with drainage holes.
If you’re growing fiddle leaf figs outdoors, you should prepare for rain by watering deeply after the soil’s top two inches have dried.
Fiddle leaf figs, when grown outside in partially shaded areas, need four to six hours of indirect light daily for optimal growth and health. This adjustment promotes the upkeep of robust fiddle leaf fig plants and safeguards against remedies for fiddle leaf fig leaf drop, guaranteeing achievement in outdoor settings.
Shield Your Fiddle Leaf Fig from Cold Weather Damage
For the safety of fiddle leaf figs, it is best to bring outdoor plants inside during cold spells and keep them at a temperature above 50°F.
Indoor fiddle leaf figs in colder locations need a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the elimination of drafts from windows. If you’re caring for fiddle leaf figs indoors during winter and it gets chilly, cover the plants.
If you reside in a hot climate and are worried about the sudden drop in temperature, monitor the forecast closely. Reducing watering during winter helps indoor fiddle leaf figs avoid root rot, which is an issue when dealing with seasonal changes.
Protecting fiddle leaf figs from cold weather helps them stay resilient by avoiding brown patches and encouraging the best ways to care for them.
Fertilize with Homemade Compost for Sustainable Nutrition
Homemade compost for fiddle leaf figs can be prepared by breaking down eggshells, coffee grounds, and vegetable peels for 6-8 weeks.
To avoid mold growth and add nitrogen, combine coffee grounds before scattering them lightly over fiddle leaf figs. To support fiddle leaf fig tea, soak banana peels for at least 48 hours, then dilute and apply once monthly.
Finely crush some eggshells and mix the powder with the soil of your fiddle leaf figs for a calcium boost. Organic fertilizers for fiddle leaf figs can be made by combining compost with seaweed extract.
To keep fiddle leaf figs healthy in an eco-friendly way, composting promotes natural methods of nourishing them without using organic fertilizers.
| Compost Ingredients | Preparation Time | Nutrient Benefits | Application Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggshells | Crush finely | Calcium | Mix into soil |
| Coffee Grinds | Combine | Nitrogen | Scatter lightly |
| Vegetable Peels | 6-8 weeks | General nutrients | Mix into compost |
| Banana Peels | Soak 48 hours | Potassium | Dilute and apply |
Encourage Healthy Leaf Growth with Proper Pot Selection
When caring for a fiddle leaf fig in an outdoor container, make sure the pot has drainage holes that are at least two to three inches larger than the root ball.
If you want to keep your indoor fiddle leaf figs from getting root rot, you can use terracotta pots to let air circulate. To better control growth and encourage fiddle leaf fig care in small flats, choose a container that is not too big.
If you want to keep fiddle leaf figs in an office or other busy place, make sure the pot has a solid base.
Repot fiddle leaf figs in the spring once every one to two years. By promoting the care of healthy fiddle leaf figs and avoiding remedies for falling leaves, choosing the correct container guarantees a stable foundation for leaf growth.
Time of Pruning for Optimal Growth and Plant Health
Early spring pruning is the best time to prune fiddle leaf figs for optimal development.
Trimming fiddle leaf fig trees should only be done on dead leaves because the plants go into dormancy during the winter. In order to promote branching, slice the top of a fiddle leaf fig in the spring just above a node.
Remove the leggy stalks from fiddle leaf fig branches to improve ventilation. To keep the fiddle leaf fig healthy, remove dead leaves by cutting close to the plant’s base.
Strategic timing not only improves the best practices for maintaining indoor fiddle leaf figs but also deters pests, ensuring robust growth.
Use Epsom Salt to Address Magnesium Deficiencies
When fertilizing fiddle leaf figs in the spring and summer, mix one tablespoon of Epsom salt with one gallon of water and apply the mixture once a month.
Epsom salt, which contains magnesium, can prevent the yellowing of leaves on fiddle leaf figs when used in conjunction with organic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies. When caring for fiddle leaf figs, use a balanced fertilizer in addition to organic fertilization techniques.
Use mild treatments to avoid burns when caring for fiddle leaf figs, especially if you’re a beginner.
During the winter, you shouldn’t treat fiddle leaf figs. This technique promotes the upkeep of healthy fiddle leaf fig plants and guarantees vibrant foliage by avoiding the discoloration of fiddle leaf fig leaves.
Increase Airflow to Prevent Fungal and Pest Issues
For the best results when growing fiddle leaf figs in damp areas, make sure to give each plant plenty of room to breathe.
To keep pests from harming your indoor fiddle leaf figs, gently circulate air using a fan. When caring for fiddle leaf figs in an air-conditioned room, make sure they don’t have direct exposure to chilly air.
To help with fiddle leaf fig care, make sure there is enough air circulation and no strong drafts in draughty indoor areas. When tending to fiddle leaf figs in crowded areas, make sure they have good air circulation.
By reducing the likelihood of brown spots on the leaves of fiddle leaf figs and encouraging the best methods for caring for them, improved ventilation helps plants stay healthy.
Monitor Soil Health to Support Long-Term Plant Vitality
To make your own compost for fiddle leaf figs, simply mix in some organic matter once a year.
Incorporate crushed eggshells and eggshell powder into the soil of fiddle leaf figs to augment it with calcium. As part of the fiddle leaf fig care regimen, check the soil pH every six months; it should be between 6.0 and 6.5.
To keep indoor fiddle leaf figs from getting root rot, make sure to add perlite for drainage purposes. While tending to fiddle leaf figs in containers outdoors, make sure the soil doesn’t get too compacted by aerating it.
In addition to preventing the root causes of leaf yellowing and ensuring the plants’ long-term vitality, rich soil aids in the maintenance of healthy fiddle leaf fig plants.
Create a Year-Round Care Schedule for Consistent Maintenance
Make a seasonally appropriate checklist for cleaning, watering, and inspecting fiddle leaf figs for pests. Adjust the checklist weekly as needed.
Maintaining fiddle leaf figs requires little more than five or ten minutes of your time every day, more if you live in an apartment. The process includes monitoring the soil and the leaves.
Fiddle leaf figs are seasonal plants that need less irrigation in the winter and more humidity. Inexperienced fiddle leaf fig keepers can benefit from using a calendar to record their tasks.
When talking about how to keep fiddle leaf figs alive and well, be sure to include things like monthly fertilizer and light inspections every three months. In order to keep a fiddle leaf fig plant healthy and happy, it’s best to follow a regimented schedule.
Diagnose and Treat Brown Spots on Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves
Check for fungal infections, low humidity, or overwatering as possible causes of brown patches on the leaves of the fiddle leaf fig, and adjust care accordingly.
Use a humidifier to keep the humidity level steady (40-60%) while fixing brown margins on fiddle leaf fig leaves to minimize dry air stress. Overwatering indoor fiddle leaf figs can cause brown patches; therefore, it’s important to check the soil’s moisture level before watering.
To avoid leaf burn, a common cause of browning in fiddle leaf figs, shade them from direct sunlight when they are cared for in south-facing windows. For beginners, check fiddle leaf fig leaves weekly for spots. If you observe any indications of fungal issues, please apply neem oil promptly.
Restoring healthy, spot-free foliage is possible with targeted adjustments, and following best practices for managing fiddle leaf figs involves periodic monitoring to prevent treating discolored leaves.
Address Yellowing Leaves to Restore Fiddle Leaf Fig Health
To address the causes of yellowing leaves on fiddle leaf figs, it’s important to consider potential issues like nutritional shortages, excessive watering, or inadequate light.
If your fiddle leaf figs aren’t getting enough nitrogen from your organic fertilizers, try using a balanced fertilizer like fish emulsion fertilizer. Make sure your indoor fiddle leaf figs have good drainage to keep them from getting root rot, which causes yellowing, and overwatering.
If you want your fiddle leaf figs to flourish indoors despite low light levels, you may use grow lights to expose them to more light and encourage photosynthesis. Households with fiddle leaf figs should take special care to ensure that their pets do not stress the plant, since this can lead to physical injury that mimics the signs of yellowing.
Taking preventative measures helps fiddle leaf fig plants stay healthy and avoid solutions that cause leaves to droop. Brilliant, verdant leaves are the result of meticulous upkeep.
Prevent and Treat Leaf Curling with Environmental Stability
Because fluctuations in humidity and temperature cause fiddle leaf fig leaves to curl inward, stabilizing these conditions is essential for keeping the leaves from curling.
In dry indoor climates, fiddle leaf figs might suffer from rising humidity levels unless you use a humidifier to keep the relative humidity between 40 and 60 percent. Keep fiddle leaf figs out of drafty indoor spaces to prevent them from curling due to sudden drops in temperature.
When you’re taking care of a fiddle leaf fig in an air-conditioned room, make sure to keep it away from any vents that let chilly air in. One piece of basic advice for caring for fiddle leaf figs is to monitor any changes in their habitat and make any necessary adjustments quickly to prevent stress.
You can avoid treating fiddle leaf fig leaf discoloration and ensure smooth, uncurled leaves by keeping the plant in a regular environment. Additionally, they line up with the most effective methods for managing fiddle leaf figs.
Revive Fiddle Leaf Figs with Damaged or Dropping Leaves
Address stressors such as overwatering, lack of light, or sudden environmental changes as soon as you see a decline in fiddle leaf fig leaves.
Pruning diseased or otherwise unhealthy fiddle leaf fig leaves with sterile shears can bring these plants back to life. This will then better channel the fig’s vitality toward fruitful development.
Keep the temperature above 65°F to prevent leaf loss when caring for fiddle leaf figs indoors in a cold region. When caring for fiddle leaf figs, it’s important to check for signs of stress, such as drooping or yellowing, at least once a week.
Physical stress can cause fiddle leaf figs to drop, so be careful not to bump the plant when you’re caring for it in a busy area. Restoring your fiddle leaf fig plant to full health is possible with targeted treatments that adhere to best practices for caring for fiddle leaf figs in an indoor setting.
Treat Blackening or Cracking Leaves with Precise Care Adjustments
Indoor fiddle leaf figs can be protected from root rot and fungal infections by reducing watering frequency and increasing drainage. These measures will prevent the leaves from becoming blackened.
In order to address the issues with fiddle leaf fig leaf cracking, it is important to keep the humidity levels stable and avoid sudden changes in temperature. This is particularly true when caring for fiddle leaf figs in draughty indoor spaces.
Make sure there’s enough ventilation and use neem oil to combat fungal issues that cause blackening of fiddle leaf fig leaves to help alleviate discoloration. When taking care of fiddle leaf figs in a crowded office or other workstation, be careful not to overwater them, since this can lead to blackening due to poor drainage.
In order to keep their fiddle leaf figs from getting too wet, beginners should monitor the soil moisture levels on a regular basis. By avoiding leaf yellowing and bolstering best practices for fiddle leaf fig maintenance, precise modifications aid in maintaining healthy, intact leaves.
Use Specialty Organic Fertilizers for Enhanced Growth
Once a month, add a small amount of kelp meal to the soil to help fiddle leaf figs flourish by providing them with trace minerals.
To keep fiddle leaf fig roots healthy, use bone meal fertilizer sparingly as a source of phosphorus. To nourish fiddle leaf figs, dilute the water from soaked rice and apply it every two weeks.
For fiddle leaf figs, use wood ash fertilizer sparingly; too much will cause a pH imbalance, so be careful. You can give fiddle leaf figs a monthly nutritional boost by diluting and applying fermented plant juice.
Specialty fertilizers for fiddle leaf figs advise against the use of organic fertilizers for nutrient shortage correction and instead promote natural fertilization approaches.
| Specialty Fertilizers | Application Frequency | Nutrient Benefit | Precaution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelp Meal | Monthly | Trace Minerals | Small amounts |
| Bone Meal | Sparingly | Phosphorus | Use cautiously |
| Rice Water | Every 2 weeks | General nutrients | Dilute before use |
| Wood Ash | Sparingly | Potassium | Avoid pH imbalance |
| Fermented Plant Juice | Monthly | General nutrients | Dilute before use |
Compare Organic and Synthetic Fertilizers for Optimal Nutrition
When choosing between organic and synthetic fertilizers for fiddle leaf figs, choose manure-based fertilizers because they are slow-release and promote soil health.
By employing organic fertilizers, fiddle leaf figs can be naturally fertilized without the buildup of chemicals that cause leaf yellowing. For those who aren’t familiar with caring for fiddle leaf figs, organic fertilizers are a safer bet because they reduce the likelihood of overfertilization.
Encourage the use of organic fertilizers to remedy nutritional deficiencies by monitoring plant response to modified applications. When looking for the ideal organic fertilizer for fiddle leaf figs, a combination of seaweed extract and manure will provide balanced nourishment.
Organic fertilizers provide healthy fiddle leaf fig plants and are consistent with best practices for fiddle leaf fig management; they also guarantee sustainable, vibrant development.
| Fertilizer Type | Release Type | Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic (Manure) | Slow-release | Promotes soil health, sustainable | Slower results |
| Organic (Seaweed) | Slow-release | Balanced nutrients | Requires dilution |
| Synthetic | Fast-release | Quick results | Risk of overfertilization |
| Combination | Varies | Balanced nourishment | Monitor plant response |
Conclusion
Assuming you know what you’re doing, keeping a fiddle-leaf fig healthy shouldn’t need much effort. Following these 25 methods will guarantee your plant thrives in any environment. They address common issues like curling, yellowing, and browning the leaves, as well as optimizing watering and lighting.