Fiddle leaf fig tree: how to take care of this houseplant

Is your fiddle leaf fig tree looking a little worse for wear? Here are our top tips for growing and caring for your indoor fiddle leaf fig plants.

The fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) surely can be ranked as the houseplant of the decade. Its popularity seems perennially strong, thanks to social media, our glossy mags and savvy stylists.

Originally from West Africa, the trees can grow 10-15m in the ground, so it's important to remember it's not originally a houseplant. The name comes from the leaf shape which can look like a fiddle or violin.

They do make for great, reliable and tough indoor plants, but it's important to remember a few basic plant care instructions.

FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE: HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE TROPICAL PLANT

When to water a fiddle leaf fig tree

Water your fiddle leaf fig only when it is dry to touch. Stick your finger well into the potting mix and if it feels dry then it's time to water. Also if the pot feels light, it's time to water it. If the potting mix feels moist then leave it for a few days and check it again.

When it's time to water, one of the easiest ways is to sit it under a shower or place it in bath and water well, allowing the excess to drain away. The roots do hate wet feet, so avoid them sitting in wet saucers.

Do fiddle leaf fig trees need direct sunlight?

Fiddle leaf figs love a light and sunny position. Try to avoid dark corners and hot western sun coming in from a window. Avoid air conditioning and blasts of warm air from central heating where you can.

How to fertilise a fiddle leaf fig tree

It's good to use a liquid feed in Spring/Summer and apply it when you are watering the plant. Use a nitrogen based fertiliser otherwise a general houseplant food is okay too. Don't fertilise it in Autumn or Winter when there is no growth happening.

How to repot a fiddle leaf fig plant

One of the most common problems is when your fiddle leaf fig becomes root bound – the fig family are big rooters. Roots that quickly fill any pot make it hard for it to take up water and nutrients. The solution is to give the roots a new home by re-potting into a bigger pot using a good quality potting mix.

If your plant is 20cm in diameter, then buy a 30cm pot – if you have a 30cm diameter plant, then buy a 40cm diameter pot. Late Winter is a good time to repot. If you want to let your fiddle leaf fig grow into a large ceiling-topping tree, then it's essential to repot it every year. You can keep it in a small pot but make sure you work harder at watering and feeding it.

how to propagate a fiddle leaf fig tree

If your fiddle leaf fig is growing particularly well, another option is to propagate it. This is when you cut off its branches, to replant and grow into new fiddle leaf figs. It's best to do this in spring.

First, pick a stem with two or three leaves to propagate. You want to cut about seven centimetres below the first leaf using clean secateurs, and place the stem into a jar or vase of fresh, clean water, and place in a light, sunny position.

You can then either choose to use a rooting hormone, or leave the cutting in water until roots start to sprout at the base. Usually this takes around three weeks. After a month, your cutting should have enough strong roots that it's ready to pot in a quality potting mix, and then watch it grow!

BEST PRODUCTS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FIDDLE LEAF FIG PLANT

Stoneware watering can, $52.95, Temple & Webster

With it's elegant shape and cream stone finish, this ultra-stylish, unique watering can looks so great it will double as a piece of decor in your home. It holds one litre of water which is more than enough to hydrate your fiddle leaf fig tree.

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Ferm Living 'Bau' pot, $109, Finnish Design Shop

Taking style cues from Bauhaus architecture, Ferm Living's Bau pot gives your home, balcony or patio a touch of clean, industrial design. This pot is made from galvanised steel and comes in warm grey and green colourways.

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Osmocote 10L Premium Plus potting mix, $11.59, Bunnings

This premium potting mix has been specifically formulated to suit the precise growing environments for a range of plants. It contains ScottsCoir(TM) for water retention, a controlled release fertiliser included to feed for up to 6 months, a professional grade wetting agent added to assist water penetration and good drainage, as well as next generation water crystals added to retain moisture and release it as plants need it.

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