Fiddle leaf fig care
Ficus lyrata
Also called Banjo fig. Family Moraceae.
In short
Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is an upright, tree-like fig from western Africa with large violin-shaped leaves, and a demanding houseplant that resents change. It needs plenty of bright indirect light and water about every 7 to 10 days once the top 3 to 5cm (1 to 2 inches) is dry, on a steady rhythm. Keep it at 18 to 27°C (64 to 81°F), away from cold draughts and radiators. It is toxic to cats and dogs.
Updated
Fiddle leaf fig at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 7 to 10 days
- Temperature
- 18 to 27°C64 to 81°F
- Humidity
- Prefers moderate to high
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs
How often should you water a fiddle leaf fig?
Usually every 7 to 10 days, once the top 3 to 5cm (1 to 2 inches) is dry, keeping to a consistent rhythm.
Warm room, bright indirect light, ordinary pot: usually every 7 to 10 days, once the top 3 to 5cm (1 to 2 inches) is dry. Consistency matters more here than with most plants; erratic watering causes leaf drop. Brown crispy edges suggest too little water or dry air, while dark brown spots spreading from the centre of a leaf usually mean too much.
How much light does a fiddle leaf fig need?
Plenty of bright indirect light near a large window, where some gentle direct morning sun suits it.
Bright indirect light, and plenty of it. This is not a low-light plant. A spot near a large window with some gentle direct morning sun suits it. Turn it occasionally so it does not lean.
How to feed a fiddle leaf fig
Balanced feed at half strength every 4 weeks through spring and summer, and nothing in winter.
Balanced feed at half strength every 4 weeks through spring and summer. It is a hungry grower when happy. Nothing in winter.
When to repot a fiddle leaf fig
Every 1 to 2 years in spring while young, one size up, then top-dress once the pot gets unwieldy.
Every 1 to 2 years while young, then top-dress instead once the pot gets unwieldy. Spring, one size up.
How to prune a fiddle leaf fig
Cut the growing tip to make it branch and to control its height, with a cloth to hand for the latex.
Cut the growing tip to force branching and control height. The cut leaks white latex that irritates skin, so keep a cloth to hand.
How to clean a fiddle leaf fig's leaves
Wipe the big leaves monthly.
Wipe the big leaves monthly. They collect a surprising amount of dust, and it costs the plant light it badly wants.
What temperature and humidity does a fiddle leaf fig like?
18 to 27°C (64 to 81°F), kept away from cold draughts and radiators.
18 to 27°C (64 to 81°F). Cold draughts and radiators are its two great enemies. Humidity: Prefers moderate to high. Dry winter air contributes to brown leaf edges.
Is a fiddle leaf fig toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, it is toxic to cats and dogs: the milky sap causes mouth irritation and vomiting if eaten.
The milky latex sap irritates skin and causes mouth irritation and vomiting if eaten.
How big does a fiddle leaf fig get?
Easily 2m (7 feet) indoors, on a single stem unless the tip is cut.
Upright and tree-like, easily reaching 2m (7 feet) indoors. Large violin-shaped leaves grow from a single stem unless the tip is cut. Famous for resenting change: moving it, draughts, or an inconsistent watering rhythm all show up as dropped leaves weeks later.
Where does the fiddle leaf fig come from?
The lowland tropical rainforest of western Africa, from Cameroon to Sierra Leone.
Hot, wet forest where it often germinates high in another tree and sends roots down to the ground, later strangling its host and growing into a tree of 12m (39 feet) or more.
What's wrong with my fiddle leaf fig?
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves dropping weeks after a change | A move, a draught, or erratic watering | Keep it in one spot away from draughts and radiators, and water on a steady rhythm once the top 3 to 5cm (1 to 2 inches) is dry. |
| Brown, crispy leaf edges | Too little water, or dry air | Water once the top 3 to 5cm (1 to 2 inches) is dry without letting it go further, and raise the humidity in dry winter air. |
| Dark brown spots spreading from the centre of a leaf | Usually too much water | Let the top 3 to 5cm (1 to 2 inches) dry before watering, and check the pot drains freely. |
| The plant leaning towards the window | Growing towards its light | Turn it occasionally so it grows straight. |
Questions about the fiddle leaf fig
Why is my fiddle leaf fig dropping leaves?
It resents change: moving it, draughts or an inconsistent watering rhythm all show up as dropped leaves, often weeks later. Find it a good spot and keep its care steady.
How do I make a fiddle leaf fig branch?
Cut the growing tip, which forces it to branch. The cut leaks white latex that irritates skin, so keep a cloth to hand.
Should I turn my fiddle leaf fig?
Yes, occasionally, so it does not lean towards the window.
Can a fiddle leaf fig grow in low light?
No. It is not a low-light plant and wants plenty of bright indirect light, ideally near a large window.
Christi Miltz, CC0
Jacqui Geux, CC BY 4.0
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