Fiddle leaf figs are one of the most popular indoor plants due to their large, shiny, heavily-veined leaves.
However, although they are popular house plants nowadays, they are originally native to the tropical regions of Africa – and keeping them potted under a roof does require some care.
Where to Place it?
Overall, fiddle leaf figs tend to prefer an environment that is warm and humid – which is to be expected considering they’re native to the rainforest.
It is best to choose a location that has medium-light and is away from air vents or drafts.
Simply put, you should try to place your fiddle leaf fig close to the window in a bright room.
When you water your plant (normally on a weekly basis), you can rotate the pot to make sure that the leaves receive equal sunlight.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t place the fiddle leaf fig in direct sunlight for long hours, or the leaves will end up singed.
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How to Water it?
Overwatering a fiddle leaf fig is never a good idea. Normally, these plants only need to be watered every 7 to 10 days and the top inch of soil should dry out between watering.
The soil in your pot must drain well so that water doesn’t accumulate.
To put it simply your goal should be to give your plant the water that it needs, but make sure the roots aren’t sitting in exposed water for an extended period of time.
If you want you can mist the leaves a little to mimic the humid environment that the plant prefers.
How to Clean its Leaves?
Cleaning the leaves of a fiddle leaf fig tree is a good way to keep it healthy and ensure that it thrives.
All that you need to do is take a soft, damp cloth or sponge and lightly wipe down each leaf to get rid of any dust or dirt that may have accumulated
The key to cleaning the leaves of fiddle leaf figs is to be gentle yet thorough.
Contrary to popular belief you don’t need to use coconut oil (or anything else) to wipe down the leaves, as that can actually end up being counterproductive.
How to Fertilize it?
Fiddle leaf fig plants don’t require much fertilizer, but it is a good idea to fertilize them once a month during spring and summer (i.e. its growth period).
No fertilizer is necessary during autumn or winter.
The fertilizer that you use should have a 3:1:2 NPK ratio. If you’re not sure what that means you can look it up, but it should be easy enough to find premade fertilizer with that ratio.
How to Prune it?
Pruning fiddle leaf fig trees can be good for them as it will remove dead leaves and promote new growth in their place.
However you should not prune it too much in one sitting, or your plant will end up going into shock.
To prune your fiddle leaf fig, just take some sharp pruning shears and cut off leaves that have started to brown significantly.
To promote new growth you should cut or pinch buds at the top of the plant.
Final Words
That should cover almost everything you need to know if you want to properly care for a fiddle leaf fig.
Although it may sound like a lot of work, it is actually not that difficult to manage once you get into the swing of things.
With the right care, your fiddle leaf fig should turn into a spectacular indoor plant that brings a splash of green to any room.
