The Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is commonly used as an indoor potted plant. It is relatively easy to care for, has large beautiful leaves and has a slow rate of growth. In this post I will list seven tips for caring for this tree species in an indoor environment as well as links to sites with more information.
Tip #One
Make sure your plant has right amount of light. Abundant but not direct light is recommended. Too little light will cause the plant to loose leaves and thin out. It also tends to grow towards the light giving the impression that it is leaning. Rotate the plant every so often to keep it growing straight and to ensure bushiness.
Tip #Two
Don´t over water the plant. The Fiddle leaf fig does well with short dry periods between waterings. The frequency of watering depends on the amount of light the plant gets. One good way to determine how often you should water is to let the pot dry out until the new growth at the top begins to wilt slightly. Calculate the time that elapsed from the last watering and subtract a day or two to determine the ideal frequency of watering. This way you will be watering the plant just before it starts to wilt the next time.
Read more at...
http://www.farmlifenursery.com/Web%20pages/Lyrata%20care.htm
Tip #Three
Prune to encourage branching and bushiness. The Fiddle leaf fig tends to grow a tall single stem when indoors. This long stem will normally not be able to keep itself upright and will require some sort of support. To encourage a more "tree like" form prune the plant at a desirable hight while the plant is still fairly young. It is recommended to do this in early spring before the new growth forms.
Read more at...
http://www.marketblooms.com/plantcare/pdf/FiddleLeafFig.pdf
Tip #Four
Be careful not to expose the plant to dry heat or drafts. Like other Ficus tree plants the Fiddle leaf fig has a tendency to drop its leaves when exposed to too much dry heat or drafts and go into a sort of dormant recovery mode for a period of time. Some figs such as the Sacred Fig will do this as part of their normal growth cycle just prior to the growth of new leaves.
Tip # Five
Clean the dust of the leaves once in a while to allow the plant to absorb as much light as possible. Often in indoor settings a layer of dust builds up on the leaves without our being aware of it and reduces the effective light that the plant gets. Every so often gently clean the leaves of with a soft cloth. Don´t try to do this with your hands as rubbing the leaves can damage them slightly and cause them to bleed little drops of white milky sap. Use latex gloves if you are allergic to this plant.
Tip #Six
Move your plant to an outdoor setting during the summer so that it can get more light. If you do this however transition it back indoors gradually at the end of the summer to avoid shocking the plant.
Tip #Seven
Trim the roots every year or two. The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a tree capable of growing to 40-50 feet tall with a normal root system for a tree that size. When roots grow in a small container they have little room to grow in and end up wrapping around the base of the container or growing out the bottom of the pot. Trimming the root system back during the dormant season will help keep the plant growth slow and will help maintain healthy roots.
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/houseplt/msg0718401415535.html
http://plantcareguru.com/plant_care/fiddle_leaf_fig.php
8 hours ago
24 comments:
This article answered important questions, however I acquired mine with all the leaves gone for 4 feet. Is it possible to cut the top off, use root stimulator and use the cut off top to make a new plant, while leaving the rooted section to heal over and shoot new leaves.
I´m not an expert in these question but I think that the success of what you are asking would depend of several factors. 1) The climate where you live - the closer it is to a tropical climate the better the chances of the top section taking root. 2) for the bottom section how many leaves would you leave on the stem - too few and it will most likely not survive - if you leave 3-5 leaves and the plant is healthy there is a good chance it will from new branches. At any rate if you do decide to replant the top section I would leave it propped up in a container with water and root stimulator solution for about 7-10 days to spur root growth before you plant it in soil.
How do you trim back the roots?
You can treat your indoor potted tree a lot like a bonsai. Here is a good link that describes root pruning...
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/rootprun.htm
I was wondering about the possibility of keeping a north american maple tree indoors. My daughter, odly enough named Rain, has succesfully sprouted a maple seed and its growing In a glass with dirt from out side, It seems to be growing rather fast, any suggestion's?
We are in orion MI.
Trever - you can keep a Maple tree indoors but you are effectively converting it into a bonsai tree. In order for your little tree to survive you should follow the instructions that can be found on many Bonsai websites.
My plant leafs keep dropping off. Many of them have a big brown spot on them. I do not know what to do. I have had the plant for a month. Help?
I have the same problem. I received my fiddle leaf fig a month ago and the leaves are turning brown and dropping. I have been over watering but I'm also fearful of underwatering.
I've had the SAME THING happen with mine and I don't know what to do...
From what I have seen both over watering and under watering can cause ficus leaves to spot and fall off. These trees are rather sensitive to their conditions. Sudden changes can cause them to go into shock. Things such as re-potting, aggressive pruning, change in watering habits, change in location, very hot or very cold temps etc. I am curious by the fact that we have three similar comments between the 3rd and 14th of August. I suspect that heat or direct sunlight may be playing a role this time of year. Or perhaps the soil is drying out faster than it usually does. Or maybe you are over watering to compensate for the heat?
My plant is outside. It is very large and has fruit. Is the fruit edible?
i have one that i have seprated and it was probly six feet tall and i cut off the top and planted it in with the rest of the fig and its growing very slowly. i think tht this plant looks like small elephant ears
is it possible to graft small branches onto the loower section of bare trunk?
I moved my tree outdoors for the Summer, on my front porch, where it has thrived and even sprouted new branches. However, the past week all new leaves have a red, spotty-looking mold or fungus on them and it is spreading quickly. Any idea what this could be? I live in SW Missouri and it has been cooler and very humid lately.
Thanks for any input!
I am considering buying a fiddle fig tree but I'm worried about the amount of light it will receive. The room I plan to place it in does not get any direct sunlight. Has anyone used plant lights to keep their trees healthy? If you have what types of bulbs have been successful and how long do you keep the light on each day?
I keep mine on a covered patio during the summer (near Philadelphia) and they do great growing 2-3 feet per summer. I mist the leaves extensively and don't worry about over watering. the problem is in the winter - what to do with a 7ft tree in the house? I've cut the tops off and planted them. 1 (now 5ft tall) in the first 7 made it, but 3 of the last 4 are doing ok. Tips for cuttings: great drainage, rooting hormone, mist, wait 2 months.
I am not having much luck with my tree. All the leaves are turning brown and dropping. It went from a full lush looking tree to a stalk with two dozen leaves. I cut back on the watering giving it a drying time. I even repotted it. It is stationed in a windo, that has filtered light. What else can I do to this poor little guy to bring him back to the beauty he once was. Please feel free to email me direct. Joey
I just divided my fiddle into 3 separate trees any advise on after care
When I trim a longer stem as in Tip #3 can I get it to root in water and grow a new plant with it?
You can purchase a product at your local garden center to spur root growth (rooting hormone). It is normally I liquid concentrate with two options. One is a higher concentrate for a single dip of your cutting. The other is a lesser concentrate for a longer soaking before you plant the cutting. I have used this with a Ficus Elastica cutting and it worked great.
Hi! Most of the leaves on my plant have large dry brown splotches at the tips. This is both on the new growth and existing growth. For a while the plant was dropping leaves, but not anymore. Now it actually looks quite full and healthy, except for the brown bits. It's in front of a western exposure window, so it gets afternoon sun. As for the leaves with the brown bits... Some are shiny/green and some are dryer looking. I water the plant when the soil is dry on top, but just moist about a inch down. The plant itself is in pot with good drainage. Any ideas on how to get rid of the brown bits?
I doubt that you can get rid of brown splotches on individual leaves. I think that the best you can hope for is to keep it from spreading to the new un-splotched leaves.
I'm having the same problem as everyone else. Big brown spots and leaves dropping off. This is actually my 2nd fig tree I've purchased. First one completely died. the first one I may have overwatered, so I'm watering much less, but the same thing is happening. All the leaves are drooping and they are falling off. I don't want to lose another fig tree but I cannot figure out how to keep this thing alive. It gets indirect light.
-Lisa
I love this site!
I thought I was crazy w/ the dropping or spotting leaves; underwatering, overwatering. Now I know I just have to be more careful.....
Thanks for all the great tips!
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