Fiddle leaf fig care guide

Fiddle leaf fig care at a glance

Print this out and stick it on the pot.

How much light does a fiddle leaf fig need?

More than most people think. Fiddle leaf figs want to be right beside a bright window, ideally an east window with morning sun or a south or west window with a sheer curtain. A fiddle leaf fig across the room from the window is in low light, whatever it looks like to our eyes.

Once acclimated, a few hours of direct sun is good for it. Move it into sun gradually over a couple of weeks, because sudden strong sun leaves beige, papery sunburn patches. Rotate the pot a quarter turn monthly so it grows straight.

How often to water a fiddle leaf fig

Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry: usually every 7 to 10 days in spring and summer, and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter. Water deeply until it runs from the drainage holes, then empty the saucer.

Consistency matters more than the exact schedule. Swinging between soggy and bone dry causes most brown spots and dropped leaves. A pot without a drainage hole is the fastest route to root rot.

Fiddle leaf fig winter care and temperature

In winter, water less, stop fertilizing, and keep the tree above 60°F. Cold drafts from doors and windows, and hot blasts from heater vents, both cause sudden leaf drop. Keep it a foot back from cold glass at night.

Shorter days mean less light, so move it closer to the window if you can. Some lower leaf loss in winter is normal.

Humidity and cleaning the leaves

Fiddle leaf figs are fine in average home humidity of 30% to 65%. In very dry winter heat, a humidifier nearby prevents crispy edges. Misting does little.

Wipe the big leaves with a damp cloth every month or two. Dust blocks light. Skip leaf shine products and coconut oil, which clog the leaf pores and attract more dust.

Soil, repotting and fertilizer

Use a fast-draining indoor plant mix with added bark or perlite. Repot every 1 to 2 years in spring, going up just 2 inches in pot width; an oversized pot holds water the roots can't use.

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a liquid fertilizer made for fiddle leaf figs or a balanced houseplant fertilizer. Don't feed in winter or right after repotting.

Pruning, branching and staking

To make a fiddle leaf fig branch, cut the main stem just above a leaf in spring or summer. New branches usually grow from the 2 or 3 nodes below the cut. You can also prune off lower leaves to create a tree shape with a bare trunk.

Wear gloves: the white sap irritates skin. Stake tall, thin trunks until they thicken, and give the trunk a gentle shake now and then to strengthen it, like wind would.

Cuttings with 2 or 3 leaves root in water in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Brown spots, leaf drop and other problems

Where the brown appears tells you what's wrong.

• Dark brown spots starting in the middle or bottom of the leaf, often with yellowing: overwatering and root rot. Check the roots and let the soil dry further.
• Crispy, light brown edges: underwatering or dry air.
• Beige or bleached patches: sunburn from sudden direct sun.
• Tiny red or brown dots on new leaves: edema from uneven watering. Harmless, and it fades.
• Leaves falling off: a move, a cold draft, or overwatering. Keep it in one spot and stabilize watering.
• Drooping: thirst, or shock after a move or repotting. Give it a few weeks.

Fiddle leaf figs outdoors

Fiddle leaf figs grow outdoors all year in USDA zones 10 to 12, where they become large trees. Elsewhere, they can summer outside in bright shade. Introduce outdoor sun gradually, and bring the plant inside before nights drop below 60°F.

Fiddle leaf fig sizes and varieties

Care is the same for all of them. Size changes how often you water.