How To Not Kill Your Fiddle Leaf Fig

1. Drainage
Fiddle leaf figs need proper drainage. If the roots don’t drain and get and stay too wet, they develop root rot and cause disease to the plant. I left my tree in the plastic container it came in.  The container offers plenty of drainage, which is crucial for a healthy plant. I purchased a few plastic saucers to put underneath it and catch any water that drains.  I put the container and the saucer in a decorative basket. This process saved the shock of transplanting the plant and possibly causing it distress. If you choose to transplant your tree, make sure you choose a pot that offers drainage holes. As a pretty finishing touch, I placed preserved Spanish moss over the soil.

2. Consistent watering
If you water too much, they can get brown spots, and if you water them too little, it can look the same…. What?! It can be hard to tell if you are overwatering or underwatering, so to help me take the guesswork out of it, I purchased a water/light meter. You place the meter halfway between the side of the pot and the center and put it into the soil 2-3 inches. When the moisture meter reaches 4, that is when I water. Typically fiddle leaf figs need water every 5-10 days. I water once a week, every Friday.  Water slowly and place the water evenly throughout the container. Experiment with the amount of water you give your plant; each plant will be different based on size, light, and the environment’s humidity. Add water slowly and wait; add some more until you see water draining out the bottom. That is the amount you should water your plant. I water my plant about 3 cups per week. They like a good drench and then to dry out a little before the next watering. You don’t want to water it a little bit every day. After I water, I let the plant sit out for about a ½ hour, then dump the water that has drained into the tray and return the container and tray back into the basket.

3. Adequate light
These plants prefer a lot of bright filtered light.  Mine is next to a west-facing window and it gets a fair amount of light throughout the day.  I do sometimes drop the roman shade to protect it if the sun ever feels too hot.  Too much direct sunlight can cause leaves to brown on the edges. If you want your plant to keep a more uniform appearance, periodically rotate it to get an even amount of sun. The Meter I mentioned also has a light gauge to determine if your plant is getting enough light.

4. Feed it
Experts suggest fertilizing during the growing season, spring thru summer. I’ve linked the fertilizer I use below. I dilute it with water as per the instructions and apply every other time I water.

5. Keep it Clean
Periodically, I wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust to promote photosynthesis (eating and breathing).   I use a leaf shine spray occasionally to keep it looking shiny and new..  There is some information on the internet suggesting that you put coconut oil on the leaves to make them shine; I do not recommend this as this could cause a “gunking up of the pores” and not promote healthy growth.  If I do get a random brown spot on the end of a leaf, I simply cut it off with scissors in a way that maintains its shape.

Once you find the right water and light formula, keep it up and don’t move your plant around!  They love consistency!

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