{"id":1658,"date":"2024-06-27T14:27:54","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T14:27:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demolinks2.com\/nina-melillo\/?p=1658"},"modified":"2024-06-27T14:32:28","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T14:32:28","slug":"how-to-care-for-a-fiddle-leaf-fig-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demolinks2.com\/nina-melillo\/how-to-care-for-a-fiddle-leaf-fig-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care For a Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant"},"content":{"rendered":"

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They were all the craze, those Fiddle Leaf plants. But for the last year or so their popularity has waned and they have been replaced by some new and improved plant. However, they haven\u2019t with me or with my son! We both recently bought a Fiddle Leaf. I bought one for my daughter as a housewarming gift. It came in one of those nasty plastic containers so, in order to make it look extra pretty, I purchased a lovely pot that complemented her decor and repotted it.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The plant was quite difficult to repot. Its roots were so entangled that I could not lift the ball from the pot and after doing so the roots were quite difficult to untangle. Read on <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\t\t

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to learn how not only to repot one but how to care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig plant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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(Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation from the sale of certain items with no extra cost to you.)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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First Things First \u2013 Repot the Fiddle Leaf<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Fun Fact!<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The Fiddle Leaf Fig is called this because the shape of its leaves resembles a fiddle! <\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When you purchase any new plant, you should repot it in a pot approximately 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than its existing pot. The plant I purchased had roots entwined in a tight circle which were visible at the top of the pot. For the majority of plants, if left in this condition, the roots would continue to grow and eventually strangle the plant. However, a Fiddle Leaf Fig plant likes<\/u><\/em> its roots to be somewhat compact so its not advisable to transplant it into too big a pot.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This particular plant was also very large and top heavy and needed to be transplanted into a more sturdy pot. When selecting a pot, choose one with a drainage hole.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Sometimes you have to cut a plastic pot with a utility knife in order to release the plant. This is what occurred when I tried to repot my plant. (If you\u2019re lucky the ball of the plant can be easily removed by leaning the pot on its side while holding the stem, and banging the outside of the pot with a trowel to loosen the roots. I wasn\u2019t so lucky.) Once free, I carefully untangled the roots allowing them to fall out of the soil. You may have to cut some of the tangled roots in order to help them unravel. No need to untangle them too much, for they like feeling somewhat squished together.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ woodmart_css_id=”667d73a7b2229″ parallax_scroll=”no” woodmart_sticky_column=”false” wd_collapsible_content_switcher=”no” wd_column_role_offcanvas_desktop=”no” wd_column_role_offcanvas_tablet=”no” wd_column_role_offcanvas_mobile=”no” wd_column_role_content_desktop=”no” wd_column_role_content_tablet=”no” wd_column_role_content_mobile=”no” mobile_bg_img_hidden=”no” tablet_bg_img_hidden=”no” woodmart_parallax=”0″ woodmart_box_shadow=”no” responsive_spacing=”eyJwYXJhbV90eXBlIjoid29vZG1hcnRfcmVzcG9uc2l2ZV9zcGFjaW5nIiwic2VsZWN0b3JfaWQiOiI2NjdkNzNhN2IyMjI5Iiwic2hvcnRjb2RlIjoidmNfY29sdW1uIiwiZGF0YSI6eyJ0YWJsZXQiOnt9LCJtb2JpbGUiOnt9fX0=” mobile_reset_margin=”no” tablet_reset_margin=”no” wd_z_index=”no”]\t\t

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Soil Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Fiddle Leaf Fig plants are native to rainforests of western and central Africa. It\u2019s soil should contain the same ingredients as a rainforest, which consists of a nutrient rich blend of perlite, coco coir, and organic material. A good indoor houseplant mix will enhance the growth of a Fiddle Leaf Fig plant. Indoor potting mix<\/u><\/strong><\/a> drains quicker than outdoor potting mix, yet retains enough water because of the perlite that is added to the organic mixture.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Water Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Assess your plant\u2019s watering needs before watering the plant. Once you live with it for a few months you will notice a pattern emerging, such as watering your plant every 2 to 4 weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fiddle Leaf Fig plants like to be kept consistently, evenly moist with a brief drying out period between waterings. I have an inexpensive moisture meter<\/u><\/strong><\/a> <\/u>that quickly tells me whether or not my plants need watering. Just stick the probe into the soil at least 4 inches deep and half way between the trunk of the plant and the edge of the pot and read the meter. If your plant is dry, give it a good, slow, thorough watering until the water seeps from the drainage hole. Use the probe on the meter to break up any hardened soil on top to encourage better drainage throughout the soil.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ways to Water Plants<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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1. <\/em><\/strong>Bathtub<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Stick the plant, pot and all, in a bathtub filled with tepid water about half way up the side of the pot. Allow it to absorb water from the bottom drainage hole for 35 to 40 minutes. You may have to force the plant down into the water until all air bubbles have left the soil.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Drain the tub and keep the Fiddle Leaf there for 15 or so more minutes, allowing the water to drain from the pot. You now have a thoroughly watered Fig plant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2. <\/em><\/strong>Plastic Container<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Stick the pot inside a large plastic container. Water the plant from the top directly into the soil. Once water starts seeping from the drainage hole, fill the plastic container with water so the level of water covers the bottom of the pot.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Keep the plant in the plastic container for approximately 30 minutes to allow for a thorough watering from the roots up.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3. <\/em><\/strong>Old Fashioned Watering Can<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fill a watering can and gently water the soil, not the leaves, until you see water released from the drainage hole. Be sure the soil is granular and in pieces. After time soil will harden. When water hardened soil, the water will drain to the edge of the pot, flow down the path of the pot to the drainage hole, and not reach any of the roots. To avoid this, before watering break up the soil with a screwdriver, skewer, stick, chopstick or anything that is stiff and will penetrate the soil.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How Often Should You Water a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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There are different ways to decide when to water your plant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Stick your finger two inches into the soil. If it comes out dry, give it a watering.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Use a water meter to determine its moisture level.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Look at your plant. If its leaves are droopy, it needs water.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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4. Stick a chopstick way into the soil, leave it there awhile and then \u201cread\u201d the level of the water once you pull it out. Similar to checking the oil level in your car with a dipstick! If the chopstick is mostly wet, do not water the plant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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TIP:<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fiddle Leaf Fig plants do NOT like to be watered frequently. These plants often die due to overwatering or lack of adequate sunlight.<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/3″]\t\t

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Well watered Fiddle Leaf Fig plant to the left. Its leaves are open and spread out.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Fiddle Leaf Fig plant that needs to be watered to the right. The leaves are <\/strong> tucked in closely.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Light Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Place the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree in a southern or western facing window. It thrives in a warm, humid environment filled with plenty of sunlight. You can place it directly in front of the window. Do not place it in close contact with a heater or air conditioning vent. If it\u2019s leaves are flapping from the air of a vent, move it. An eastern facing window will suffice too, so long as the area is very bright with sunlight.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If the Fiddle Leaf is in direct full sun the entire day, its leaves may get sunburned. In this case, place a sheer curtain between the plant and the window or place it 3 to 4 feet back from the window.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Do not place it in a northern facing window. It will not do well there from lack of sunlight.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t

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