Complete Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Guide

Ah, the good ol’ Ficus lyrata.

When I got Disney+, like any Millennial I re-watched shows I loved as a kid, like Boy Meets World. While I was going down memory lane and awing over Cory and Topanga’s young love I noticed a giant Fiddle Leaf Fig in the Matthew’s living room! What? I obviously knew this plant wasn’t some new science creation they came up with in the last few years, but it sure seemed like it. The Fiddle Leaf Fig became the ‘it’ plant out of nowhere.

This plant has been a staple in my home and all over my Pinterest pages for the last few years. Whenever I show anyone my Fiddle leaf fig the first thing I hear is:

They’re pretty and I want one so bad, but I heard they are nightmares!

There is definitely a stigma against Fiddle leaf figs, and what you’ve heard is exactly right! People complain about how hard it is to care for these guys and to be honest, I’ve had my share of difficulties. But, with a lot of trial and error with mine, I’m ready to help you guys become proud Fiddle owners with my Fiddle leaf fig care tips.

Size/Look

I have a few of these in my collection. I have some tall and tree like, some that are bushy and some that are small and leggy. Normally when you’re purchase a Fiddle leaf fig they will be fat and bushy. You can keep it like that, or you can cut off the bottom leaves if you want more of a tree look. They are pretty versatile and will go with any home decor.

They range in size from 3-5+ feet in the home, or you can opt in getting a dwarf type that stays more compact. In the wild, or even outdoors they tower over the rainforest floor growing several feet in size.

When growing a Fiddle leaf fig, just keep in mind that you’ll need to have a decent amount of dedicated space.

I would recommend that you get your Fiddle leaf adjusted to its new home before you go chopping off the leaves if you want more of a tree look (like picture above). My biggest one actually lost 5-7 leaves after I transplanted it into its new pot, which basically meant that it was in a bit of shock, and that’s common for them.

The Fiddle leaf fig is so striking with its dark green broad leaves. Whether you want a tree or a bush look they go great with any style of home.

Humidity/Environment

The Fiddle leaf fig is native to the rainforests of Africa. Which means, they like a tropical environment. So the fiddle leaf may want more humidity than some plants in the home. Keeping a humidifier close by or misting the leaves every now and again will be beneficial to the plant. Aim to keep the humidity around 40-60%.

Keep your Fiddle leaf fig away from any drafts. They hate any kind of drafty area, hot or cold. If they are left in a drafty area their leaves start to brown and drop.

Lighting

When it comes to Fiddle leaf fig care make sure your lighting is ideal for it. They prefer brightly lit rooms with filtered natural light. They do best in an eastern facing window, but any bright window will do great. Just be careful in south facing windows or windows with a lot of sun rays, this can cause the leaves to burn.

Fiddle leaf figs can tend to start to lean towards the light eventually, so turning them every few weeks to every month – just a quarter turn will help the tree grow out evenly, all around.

Watering & Fertilizing

Since the Fiddle leaf fig can be pretty picky, try not to bother it too much. I tend to water mine every Sunday, which – so far has been a good system. They don’t like to have too much water or to dry out, so you may need to monitor it. Water amounts completely depend on how big your plant is.

Best rule of thumb is water until it starts to drain through the drainage hole.

Always check the soil before you water your Fiddle leaf fig. Feel the first few inches to see if it’s still damp. If it is, skip watering that week. You can also invest in a moisture meter and that can tell you exactly when to water.

Fiddle leaf figs crave nitrogen, So make sure you get a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. They have fertilizers out there that are specifically for Fiddles.

I open up an old (and cooled) K-cup or any used coffee grounds and either make a very diluted “coffee” for my Fiddle or i’ll just toss the grounds on the topsoil and water over it.

Soil

A well draining pot and soil will be beneficial in preventing root rot. A good mix of potting soil, bark and perlite will make your Fiddle happy, and well draining.

Common problems

Other than basic plant problems, Fiddle leaf figs are known to get edema, which is caused by moisture stress (overwatering). This condition appears as tiny red/brown spots on the leaves (pictured below).

Brown spots can also be a sign to infestation. Check the soil and rule the watering out first, if that’s not the case, check the leaves. In my experience spidermites and mealybugs are most common on Fiddles.

If you’re experiencing a lot of leaves dropping it’s most commonly caused by stress. If they’re in a drafty spot or in a spot with rapid temperature changes, that can be a problem. The Fiddle leaf fig in nature have pretty consistent temperatures all year long. They also can drop leaves when moved. After a Fiddle leaf fig gets used to a spot – which can take awhile for it to adjust, if you move it again to another room or home it stresses out very easily.

If you notice bleaching on the leaves or lighter spots, it’s getting too much direct sunlight. If you can, just move it back from the window.

Helpful Tips That I’ve Learned

When my Fiddle leaf fig started dropping leaves left and right from a repot, I was told about this water additive called SUPERthrive, which is a vitamin solution you add to your water and it can help with plant stress. After I routinely watered with SUPERthrive my Fiddle leaf fig bounced back rapidly.

Theres no other plant that I have in my collection that benefits more from wiping down leaves than my Fiddle leaf fig. It seems to be that every time I wipe them down, I usually have new leaves popping up within a few days to weeks.

One tip that I have seen just recently is to shake the your Fiddles. Shaking the tree, without moving the actual pot will help the Fiddles trunk and stems to get thicker and stronger, think of it like a plant workout. This mimics the wind the tree gets in nature.

Shake your Fiddle daily and get that big trunk energy!

The Fickle Fiddle

Fiddle leaf fig care can be tricky at times.

The Fiddle leaf fig is one of my favorite plants I have in my home. It’s such a statement plant, whether you have a big or small one. Despite its nickname ‘the fickle fiddle’ the Fiddle leaf fig is an easy going plant – but only once you have a routine down and get to know your plant.

Did this Fiddle leaf fig care guide help you?