Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant 411

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Adding plants indoors has a number of benefits — improving air quality, helping with cabin fever, warding off Seasonal Affective Disorder, and offering additional design elements.

The fiddle leaf fig plant has become the designer "it" plant. I like how Emily Henderson uses the plant in almost of her work.

Young House Love also bought one but had some trouble taking care of it.

I got mine from Home Depot for around $30. It was last year, so I don't remember the exact price.

If you buy a larger version of the plant they can run more expensive, but I didn't want to go that route in case the fig tree died on me.

Currently the plant is still alive, so ha! My husband thought I would kill it.

I am determined to prove him wrong. I've compiled a few tips for the beginning fiddle leaf fig owner to make your fig tree as "fit as a fiddle."

1. Sunlight

After purchasing the plant, I placed it on an end table to reach the light on the side window of our house. It is recommended that you place the fiddle leaf fig in "indirect light."

This placement has seemed to work so far, because the plant gets morning/afternoon filtered light coming through the window, but not in the middle of the day.

You can also rotate the plant slightly as it grows toward the window so it grows more symmetrically and doesn't plaster itself to the glass 🙂

2. Watering

Owners that have problems with their fiddle leaf figs often complain their plants have brown leaves. This also happened to me.

I read a few articles that suggested it was due to either over-watering or under-watering. You should prune the brown leaves off the plant and adjust the watering appropriately.

To test, place your finger one inch down into the soil. If the soil is dry one inch down, water the plant. If the soil is damp, wait until the soil dries out more to water it again.

I water mine about three times a week with a cup of water, but now there is low humidity. I will adjust the water schedule with the seasons.

3. Soil/Repotting

You should repot the plant after a year or so when the roots look to be growing of the sides, or the roots are growing out the bottom of the original container and blocking the drainage.

That is what was happening to me. The roots tried to escape. I decided to repot at this point and went with a larger container.

However, from what I read you don't want to repot with a significantly larger container or it can be detrimental to the plant. Time will tell if I picked the right size.

So far after a week its seems fine, and the plant is actually growing some new leaves so it doesn't seem too upset with me in its new digs.

The woman at the plant store recommended Miracle Grow Moisture Control soil for the repotting, which is working so far. She also mentioned you could use Miracle Grow Plant food every few months to supplement your plant's growth. Haven't tried this yet but I'm hoping to grow a six-footer, so we'll see 🙂

4. Dust/Humidity/Pests

Wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth every now and then to prevent dust and pests from affixing to the leaves. This also allows the leaves to "breathe" more efficiently.

At this point, you are probably thinking the plant is a little too demanding.

The Gathered Home points out some similar high maintenance tips for taking care of your leaf-baby:

"Do not expose your fiddle leaf fig to strong language. Speak to your fiddle leaf fig only in calm, hushed tones."

I would add:

5. Do not serve the fiddle leaf fig anything but Evian.

6. Do not stare the fiddle leaf fig in the eye.

7. Don't forget to compliment the fiddle leaf fig on its foliage at least once every fortnight.

8. Wrap it with a blanket at night, and sing it to sleep — similar to growing a giant pumpkin.

There you have it, some tips for caring for your own fiddle leaf fig! You can also put it in a nice basket to up the decor factor. I actually had trouble finding a good size basket once I repotted it.

I tried a few in my Goldie-baskets quest to find one that was just right. Here is one that was too big:

I finally settled on a basket from Target, the Smith & Hawkins line.

Keep in mind it is all worth it. Adding a fiddle leaf fig indoors offers a great natural accent to any space.