Fiddle Leaf Fig

January 29th, 2021

Hey plant friends!

This week you get a bonus plant blog - Ficus lyrata [FYE-kuss lye-RA-tuh] aka the Fiddle leaf fig. It is native to western Africa where it grows in lowland tropical rainforest. The Ficus lyrata belongs to the Moraceae family.

This is a famous houseplant you will see in just about every magazine or plant blog. A plant parent favorite because honestly, they look good just about anywhere! They are however a bit finicky if you do not get their care down right.

Starting off with light Fiddle leaf figs require bright light. Direct sun will burn the leaves leaving brown or yellow damage. A good tip would be to rotate your plant every week, so the entire plant is getting light. That way the plant can grow consistently all around. As always, a well-draining soil is recommended. Tonka Terra which we carry at the greenhouse is great with some added perlite. Also its always recommended to make sure your pot has drainage.

As for watering Ficus lyrata it differs from household to household. In the summer you could be watering once a week but, in the winter, you could be watering once every week and a half. Always check that the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry before watering. When you do water your Fiddle leaf fig make sure to always water all the way through and give it a good soak. As always never let your plant sit in standing water, make sure to empty your saucer once you are finished watering.

The biggest problems we see are not enough light and over watering. When this happens it sets up an environment for root rot and fungus to set in. The first signs of root rot and fungus is browning around the edge of the leaves. This is something that can be treated by moving your Fiddle leaf fig to a brighter light and also treating it with a fungicide on a regular schedule basis. A great tip for keeping your plant healthy would be to dust your leaves monthly, this allows the sun to hit the leaves without dust getting in the way. This also helps prevent against future pests. You can just use a rag and water, that works great!

Once you get the care down these beautiful plants will make a huge statement in your home!

We currently carry the Ficus lyrata at the greenhouse in 6", 10", and 12" pots. If you have any further questions feel free to reach out to us by phone, Instagram, or email us at hello@tonkadale.com.

Happy planting!