Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Care 101 - How to grow

Information technology'due south the go-to greenery on interior designers' "it" lists and graces the page of every home magazine or Instagram photo. It has design staying power and simply refuses to foliage (become it?). Y'all may sometimes come across its name shortened in mod manufactures to FLF or "Dabble". What found is it? It's the Dabble Leaf Fig!

The Dabble Foliage Fig makes an splendid specimen and floor plant. The leaves are unusually large and a pretty fiddle shape. (Thus, the plant's name.) The bright green leaf color is a pleasing accent to a multifariousness of decor styles.

Because we are trying to relish this striking plant in a dramatically dissimilar climate, some might take stereotyped it every bit 'fussy.' Only, when grown indoors information technology's actually pretty easy to grow. If we have time to imagine ourselves in its native habitat, then intendance becomes much more straightforward. So, yes…Midwestern houseplant lovers, you lot as well can easily grow these beauties!

Also, these guys are homebodies. So, that means they don't like to exist continually moved to new spots in your house every week or month. When you lot purchase your plant and bring it home for the first fourth dimension, recollect that Dabble Leaf Figs tin can be sensitive to changes in weather condition like light or temperature. And your dwelling's weather are probable to be different than the plant had during its stay in the greenhouse. Simply, heed these indoor plant care tips and you'll have the happiest footling Fiddle in town!

Where did the Fiddle Leaf Fig constitute come from?

Even when growing indoors, a Fiddle Foliage Fig (Ficus lyrata) is surviving in far unlike conditions from its native environment. Fiddle Leafage Fig trees originate in the tropical rainforest of West Africa. These plants thrive below the forest awning. So, their native surround is bright, just not sunny, and the air is warm and boiling. Tropical conditions offer Fiddle Foliage Figs regular pelting. If yous're able to mimic these weather condition, then yous're likely to have success with this plant.

They are in the Moraceae horticultural family and are closely related to other ficus copse. Cousin species include the Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) and the rubber found (Ficus elastica). Ficus pause their growth through the darker and cooler periods of the year (November to February). So, their largest period of growth occurs in the early spring (March to May).

How large does a Fiddle Foliage Fig grow?

When grown indoors and in our climate, a Fiddle Leaf Fig houseplant tin reach half dozen feet alpine or more. Younger fiddle leafage figs tin temporarily live on shelves while they're small. Equally they grow, they are commonly seen as floor plants. Many conditions affect the ultimate meridian, spread, and operation of these indoor plants. A few of those factors include:

• the size of the pot information technology's growing in
• the amount of lite it receives
• watering frequency
• the pruning regimen and repotting schedule.

  

  Dabble Leaf Fig'south fruit when grown in its native habitat.

Does a Fiddle Foliage Fig create fruit?

Outside its native habitat, a dabble leaf fig rarely flowers or fruits. Only, we've included a photo of what the fruit looks like (right).

Nearly owners savour these houseplants for their foliage and stature, rather than their fruit-bearing capabilities.

How much water does my Fiddle Leaf Fig need? How often should I h2o it?

Information technology'due south important to talk about watering, drainage, and humidity in the same thought. As tropical plants, they capeesh a humid environment. If conditions are likewise dry, their leaves will fall off. This means you'll always need to avert placement direct in forepart of an air vent.

Though most Dabble Foliage Figs are pretty resilient to indoor atmospheric condition and will adapt, you can help requite your plant a heave by increasing the humidity levels. To do this, fill a saucer that is 1-2x larger than the pot with pebbles or small stones. Identify the constitute'due south pot on summit of the stones, keeping but enough water to cover the very lesser of the saucer. But, brand certain in that location are enough stones then the pot isn't sitting directly in water. (We should stress: do non fill up the water to the top of the stones. The pot should not exist touching the water in the saucer.) Or, place the humidity tray (stones and water) about the pot instead of placing the pot on tiptop of it. The water volition evaporate and increase the humidity for your Dabble. Another humidity-trapping option is to identify your Dabble amidst other potted plants.

Don't be fooled by thinking that moisture soil and humidity are the same thing. They're not. Your Fiddle Foliage Fig will do best in evenly and consistently moist conditions, but it will not tolerate soggy soil or continuing h2o. Let the pinnacle inch of soil to dry out between waterings. (But don't let it completely dry out out so as to form a crust.)

Mike Davison, lead greenhouse buyer at Platt Hill Nursery recommends: "Give the plant a good drink. That means water the plant until its as heavy as the pot can get. Then, count how many days go by until it'southward pretty lite to lift, but non wilted. That'south how often you'll water that particular plant until the surroundings changes. Recheck the watering days when you alter your habitation surroundings. So, when you lot start running the oestrus or the air-conditioning. Most issues I hear from my customers is from improper watering."

Exist enlightened that your particular watering schedule may be different depending on its location in the room, pot size, or establish size.

What are the Fiddle Foliage Fig's light and temperature requirements?

Dabble Leaf Figs must have a brightly lit surroundings. Its light requirements are often greater than artificial indoor lighting can provide. It'll be happiest when information technology gets directly or indirect sunlight. (An Eastward-facing window that gets gentle morning sun would be ideal.) If your Fiddle Leaf Fig is in front of large or single-pane windows, the plant can go easily sunburned. Sunburnt or scorched leaves can range in colour, depending on how much exposure they've gotten. Leaf colors can appear white, yellow, low-cal chocolate-brown, or medium brown. Leaves may terminate up feeling crispy and may have a yellow ring effectually the border of the brown spot.

A Fiddle Leaf Fig in a nursery pot

It's too best practice to rotate your found a quarter turn with each watering. This helps ensure it'due south getting even exposure to sunlight, especially if the establish is against a wall or in a corner of a room.

Practice I need to think nearly a specialty potting soil or fertilizers?

If you're planting or repotting, a well-draining soilless mix is best. There are dandy options from Miracle Grow or Espoma. We recommend contacting the experts at Platt Hill Nursery for with whatsoever questions.

Once planted, an all-purpose fertilizer (xx-20-20) will work well. We recommend applying fertilizer only during the growing flavour. (March-October)

What kind of container is best for a Fiddle Leaf Fig?

A pot with good drainage is best. Some customers have seen success with a terra-cotta or ceramic pot. These materials are more than porous and can offer more even soil moisture throughout the pot, making them smashing for novice Fiddle owners.

Merely, aside from the material, it'due south important to recall of the pot's size. The goal is to provide a container that is just approximately 1-2 inches larger than its existing pot. If bringing the plant home during fall or wintertime, you might consider keeping it in its plant nursery container (sometimes called a "can") until spring. A newly purchased Fiddle Leaf Fig is going to experience lots of change when it'due south brought home. So, putting off repotting can avert an additional alter factor. If a nursery can isn't plumbing equipment in with your decor, consider placing the nursery can inside your decorative pot. Only be certain to brace the plant nursery pot inside the decorative one to avoid rocking or falling, as that tin impairment the leaves. It'south fairly like shooting fish in a barrel to do this with small-scale stones, simply decorative vase fillers may be lighter-weight and can add manner.

What other maintenance is recommended? Should I prune my plant?

Wipe the leaves with a damp material from time to time to remove dust.To do this with as picayune harm or foliage stress equally possible, gently cradle the leaf in 1 paw. Then, wipe the top of the leaf with the damp cloth using your other hand. This will provide support to the part of the leafage connected to the branch or trunk while reducing the likelihood of bruising the leaf itself. Only dust the acme side of the leaf, not the bottom side.

Though not required, pruning most ficus is best done in late winter, and the Dabble Leaf Fig is no exception. Pruning encourages branching, which provides a fuller plant with more than leaves. Pruning likewise tardily in the growing flavor or during winter may remove leaves that your plant needs. And, during darker winter months, it tin use as much photosynthesis power as it can go! And so, early on February is often the best fourth dimension to prune without sacrificing new growth that may appear in March. Spring is likewise a corking time to consider repotting.

Salubrious Dabble Leaf Fig leaves from the top.

Dabble Leaf Fig Plant Specs

• Botanical Proper name: FICUS LYRATA
• Horticultural Family unit: Moraceae
• Origins: Westward Africa, Tropical Jungle
• Leafage:Very large green leaves
• Height: 6 anxiety
• Spread: 4 feet
• Addiction: Upright, as a tree. May exist pruned as a shrub.
• Use:
  • As a tree – floor houseplant
  • Equally a mini  – windowsill houseplant
• Toxicity: Possible stomach irritation in pets or people, if ingested

Platt Hill Plant nursery is Chicago's premier garden center and nursery.

ashobabounceept.blogspot.com

Source: https://platthillnursery.com/fiddle-leaf-fig-plant-care/