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Ficus lyrata

Fiddle Leaf Fig: Beautiful Plant With Unique Leaves

A fiddle leaf fig is a popular indoor plant that is easy to grow. The beautiful violin-shaped leaves make this plant a lovely focal point for any room.

Published on 11 August, 2023 by Oliver Rouane-Williams
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Other names for this plant...

Banjo fig

About Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle leaf fig plants have beautiful, large leaves that are bright green and glossy. Although the leaves vary somewhat, they generally appear shaped like a fiddle or violin. These plants purify indoor air, symbolize good luck and prosperity, and are reputed to bring good feng shui to the household.

Fiddle leaf fig trees are also considered low-maintenance and have excellent decorative value. They have become so popular the New York Times refers to them as the It Plant of the Design World.

Botanical Name

Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)

Other Names

Banjo fig

Plant Type

The fiddle leaf fig is a broadleaf evergreen tree. Broadleaf evergreens hold their leaves year-round and do not go dormant. Large, flat, glossy green leaves with deep veining characterize them.

Origin

These trees naturally grow and originate in Western Africa.

Appearance

A popular indoor tree, a fiddle leaf fig, has large, veined, glossy leaves. These leaves are uniquely shaped and resemble violins.

Fiddle leaf fig has large, flat, glossy, fiddle-shaped leaves.

Types Of Fiddle Leaf Figs

  • Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant

  • Ficus Audrey

  • Variegated Rubber Plant

  • Bambino or Dwarf Fiddle Leaf Fig

  • Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig.

Fiddle Leaf Fig Styling 

Fiddle leaf fig plants are typically grown as houseplants in large pots since they are a type of tree.

Because they can get large, they make an excellent statement piece in a corner, entryway, or window. They also make great porch or sunroom plants since they enjoy plenty of light.

Fiddle leaf figs also look beautiful grouped with similar plants, such as snake plants, rubber trees, and Monstera.

Style fiddle leaf figs with other tropical plants.

Light

The fiddle leaf fig plant enjoys plenty of light, preferring around six hours of indirect light each day. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, especially the harsh afternoon sun.

Water

An essential part of fiddle leaf fig care is not to over-water. Plant parents want to ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes and that the potting soil doesn’t hold water. It is advisable to allow the soil to get dry before watering.

Water your fiddle leaf fig with room temperature water every 7-10 days.

Temperature

Fiddle leaf fig plants grow best in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They cannot be grown outdoors if the climate gets below 60 degrees.

Humidity

Ideally, fiddle leaf fig plants prefer humidity similar to their native tropical climate. The humidity levels should be between 30-60%. Use a humidifier or pebble tray filled with water if your home is dry.

Soil

The best plant soil for the fiddle leaf fig plant is peat-based potting soil mixed with some perlite.

When repotting, fill the bottom third of the pot with the potting mix soil. Although they do like a snug pot, you still want some room for them to grow. There should be at least an inch of soil between the root ball and the bottom of the pot.

Pruning

First, don’t hesitate to remove any dead leaves from the plant. If your plant is dropping leaves or has any yellow or brown spots, trim them off with clean scissors or shears. This leaves room for fresh new leaves to grow.

Since this is technically a tree, you do need to prune it back from time to time to keep it healthy. Do not cut branches back in winter; wait until spring for optimal health and new growth.

Feed

Fiddle leaf figs prefer a fertilizer with 3% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus and 2% potassium, also known as a 3-1-2 N-P-K ratio. Apply fertilizer during the growing season, following the instructions on the package.

Height & Growth

These tropical plants can easily exceed 60 feet tall in their natural habitat. In your home, they can typically grow to about 10 feet tall.

Toxicity

Plants are ranked in toxicity, and a fiddle leaf is level 4. This means ingesting it will not cause serious damage unless large amounts are ingested.

The sap can cause skin irritation in humans, so wear gloves when pruning and trimming the fiddle leaf fig tree.

Pet

A fiddle leaf fig plant is toxic to pets like dogs or cats, and you should not allow your pet to ingest any part of the plant.

Since it is a relatively mild toxin, it is unlikely to be fatal but should not be risked.

Common Problems 

  • Leaf Drop: The plant can start to shed leaves if the temperature changes are too extreme for the tree.

  • Nutrient Deficiency: Yellow spots on the plants often indicate a nutrient deficiency and can be remedied with quality plant food.

  • Overwatering: Giving this plant too much water can lead to root rot and a host of other problems. A symptom of over-watering is black spots on the leaves.

  • Under-watering: Leaf drop or brown leaf tips can be a sign of under-watering.

How To Propagate Fiddle Leaf Figs

Put a few inches of soil into a small container where you’ll root your fiddle leaf fig. A good propagation soil choice is half peat and half perlite.

Most home gardeners prefer to cut their leaf off the plant at an angle. Be sure you are cutting with clean, sharp scissors. For best results, cut three nodes past a growing portion. A node is where a leaf is budding off of the stem. You should dip the cutting into a rooting hormone for a woody plant before potting it.

Water the soil thoroughly and use a stick to poke a hole deep enough for your cutting before adding the cutting to the soil. Cuttings should be about one-third buried in the soil. Tuck the soil around the cutting.

Cover the plant with a plastic bag and mist it daily to keep it humid. Rooting will take 4-6 weeks.

Fiddle leaf figs can be propagated through leaf cuttings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the fiddle leaf fig a good indoor plant?

These are excellent indoor plants if you have a constant temperature and humidity in your home.

Is a fiddle leaf fig high maintenance?

The fiddle leaf fig is not considered a high-maintenance plant but is also not easy care. You need to pay attention to the amount you water it, air temperature and humidity, but as long as you keep things constant, you should succeed.

What is the best place to plant a fiddle leaf fig?

A fiddle leaf fig plant will be content in a window that receives plenty of indirect sun for 4-6 hours each day.

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The Sill say’s...

The Fiddle Leaf Fig, or Ficus lyrata, is famous for its broad green leaves with prominent veining.

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