Easy Steps To Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs In A Container
Easy Steps To Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs In A Container
Do you ever dream of growing your fiddle leaf fig from tiny to enormous? Fiddle leaf figs are happy to remain pot-bound in a small planter, but if you want them to reach their full potential, you'll need to move them into a larger planter so they may spread out and fill out.
This occurred with my fiddle leaf, and I've described every action you must take along with the “why” for each action.
When you do the same, your fiddle leaf will soon show results through new growth and gorgeous glossy green foliage. Let’s follow the steps to grow fiddle leaf figs in a container.
History Of Fiddle Leaf Figs
For millions of years, fiddle-leaf fig trees have been growing naturally. They are indigenous to West Africa, growing up to 60 feet tall and producing tiny green fruits in nations like Sierra Leone—the Moraceae plant family members, including fig and mulberry trees.
Fiddle leaf figs are a species of the Ficus genus, which has around 850 other sister species and comprises most of the more than 1,100 plants in the vast Moraceae family.
The fiddle leaf fig is now considered a fashionable houseplant for city apartments. However, the fashionable exterior belies a troubled past in the wilderness. What is known as a banyan fig tree is the Ficus lyrata (Ficus subgenus Urostigima).
It originates from the top of the crown of another tree rather than growing on its own. That certainly violates people's privacy.
In the rainforest, the fiddle leaf fig tree's seeds fall directly on top of another tree vying for sunlight. The fiddle leaf fig tree chooses a very high location, giving it access to lots of sunlight.
The roots of the fiddle leaf fig then start to round the trunk of the other tree as the plant's seed begins to sprout.
A plant of this type is referred to as an epiphyte. The fiddle leaf fig plant, however, can also thrive without incident. It can also develop independently, so it doesn't have to expand.
Types Of Fiddle Leaf Figs
Some violin leaf fig variants are worth investigating, even though these fiddle leaf fig plants are simply the product of pruning and shape rather than diverse sorts of fiddle leaf figs.
To grow fiddle leaf figs in a container, you need to know the best varieties that will be perfect for your climate.
1. Dwarf Fiddle Leaf Figs
As the names “bambino” and “dwarf” are interchangeable when referring to little fiddle leaf fig plants, this fiddle leaf fig may be referred to as a dwarf fiddle leaf fig. However, do not imagine that the fiddle leaf fig “bambino” is just a baby fiddle leaf fig.
2. Ficus Lyrata ‘Compacta’
The fiddle leaf fig Ficus lyrata “compacta” is a medium-sized variety. When fully grown, it reaches heights of 3 to 4 feet.
The cultivar of the fiddle leaf fig looks more like a typical fiddle leaf fig plant than a “bambino.” It has an innate propensity to develop dense, bushy foliage.
3. Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig
The beautiful variegated foliage of Ficus lyrata ‘Variegata,' commonly known as the variegated fiddle leaf fig, is what gives it away.
The green margins of the fiddle leaf fig's leaves are contrasted by eye-catching white, cream, or yellow edges.
Except for its lighting requirements, it grows similarly and reaches the same height as a conventional fiddle leaf fig.
Benefits Of Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle-leaf figs and other indoor plants are popular because they are attractive and enjoyable to take care of.
That's a good enough excuse! However, owning a fiddle leaf fig or other indoor plant has numerous advantages. Parenting plants isn't just enjoyable; it's also healthy for you!
Here are just a handful of the many benefits of fiddle leaf figs for your house and how they may enhance your physical and emotional well-being.
1. Air Purifying Properties
Plants absorb a range of molecules, including carbon dioxide, and release other chemicals, including oxygen, during photosynthesis through the gas exchange of their leaves and roots.
Although NASA's study on clean air didn't directly assess Ficus lyrata, it did assess Ficus elastica (rubber tree plant) and Ficus Benjamina, two of the fiddle leaf fig tree's close relatives, for their capacity to cleanse the air (weeping fig).
According to the study, rubber tree plants successfully remove hazardous formaldehyde particles from the air.
Weeping fig plants also remove Toluene, xylene, and toxic formaldehyde from the air. The fiddle leaf fig is probably also a valuable plant for eliminating typical pollutants from your interior environment because of its extensive leaves that permit a high rate of gas exchange.
2. Used In Feng Shui
Fiddle-leaf fig plants are thought to provide several advantages in feng shui. Their rounded, delicately edged leaves draw nourishing energy into an enclosed area.
They are, therefore, an effective way to counteract the bad energy that dark areas, blocked corners, and sharp edges might emit in a building or place of business.
Fiddle-leaf fig plants can represent luck and abundance. You can attract luck and wealth in these areas of your life by positioning one in the wealth (southeast) or career (north) quadrant of your Bagua Map.
Fiddle-leaf fig trees represent fertility and fruitfulness since they can produce fruit in the wild.
3. Low-Maintenance Care
Suppose your home does not offer the ideal growing conditions (i.e., 30-65 percent humidity, a constant temperature between 60°F and 85°F, moderate wetness, and bright but filtered sunlight). In that case, fiddle leaf figs might be challenging to grow.
On the other hand, fiddle leaf figs need less care and upkeep when grown indoors under ideal conditions, making them a fantastic option if you lead a hectic lifestyle.
They don't require regular trimming to limit the plant's growth when needed and remove dead or dying leaves.
Set a calendar reminder to rotate your fiddle leaf fig plant 25 degrees weekly to promote uniform growth and prevent leaning (or leaf drop).
3. Ornamental Value
Due to their stunning ornamental value, fiddle leaf fig trees are a common choice for interior décor in homes and offices.
You will significantly enhance the aesthetic effect of your home whether you have a small fiddle leaf fig, a 10-foot violin leaf, a full fiddle leaf fig, or a small and sparse fiddle leaf fig.
Fiddle leaf fig leaves develop huge, green, leathery, and have gently wavy edges regardless of the size of your plant.
Place big plants on the ground in areas with lots of natural light; end tables should all have tiny plants on them.
4. A Good Choice for Pollen Allergy Sufferers
Ficus genus plants, including fiddle leaf figs, contain some latex, which can aggravate people with latex allergies or sensitivities.
They can cause skin rashes when handled directly and trigger respiratory issues when breathed in through the air.
However, because fiddle leaf fig plants don't usually produce blossoms when planted indoors, they are an excellent option for homes of people who have allergies to various pollen forms.
5. Resistant To Drought
A fiddle leaf fig can be the ideal plant for you if you're busy and forgetful because it can survive for some time without water.
Fiddle leaf figs need well-draining soil to keep healthy, even though they prefer to receive regular irrigation.
They are also susceptible to root rot. Do not be afraid to let the soil on your plants dry between watering.
6. Therapeutic Value
It is pretty therapeutic to be among plants, observe them, and take care of them. They even have a specialty subfield of therapy called horticulture therapy.
Horticultural therapy may improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being by lowering stress, anxiety, and other depressive symptoms, lowering blood pressure, hastening recovery from illness or injury, aiding addiction treatment, helping dementia patients, and more to studies. Taking care of and tending to a fiddle leaf fig tree might benefit your health.
7. Boosts Productivity And Cognitive Function
According to studies, indoor plants can enhance your cognitive function, sharpen your mind, enhance memory, and generally make you smarter.
Furthermore, research suggests that having indoor plants in offices and other locations may increase productivity.
8. Improves Sleep Quality
The giant leaves of fiddle leaf figs create and exhale oxygen during photosynthesis. When there is no sunlight to catalyze photosynthesis during the night, the process stops, and the plant can start to release some carbon dioxide.
However, fiddle leaf figs generate so much oxygen throughout the day that they ultimately raise the level of oxygen in your interior environment.
They can therefore assist in making your sleep better because oxygen promotes the brain to remain in a calm, recuperative stage of deep sleep.
9. Is Inexpensive
Fiddle leaf figs were once expensive to buy as houseplants. But because of their recent rise in popularity, most home garden centers offer them at a fair price.
Smaller plants are less expensive and easier to acclimate to a new environment than larger ones, which can sometimes be more expensive. You may get a little fiddle leaf fig for less money. Additionally, thanks to its quick growth, you'll have a giant plant in no time.
10. Proliferates
Fiddle leaf figs grow remarkably quickly, gaining 12 to 18 inches yearly, with regular fertilization throughout the growing season and lots of sunlight!
This implies that with just a few years of care, you may buy a little plant reasonably and enjoy a more mature-looking plant.
Do not be alarmed by fiddle leaf figs if you live in a small place. You may easily manage and limit growth by giving your plant less regular feedings and waterings and placing it in an area with less light.
Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs In A Container
Ficus lyrata, often known as fiddle-leaf figs, have been popular in the design world for over five years and aren't likely to go any time soon. Fiddle-leaf figs are finicky tropical rainforest plants that are native to western Africa.
They transform any room into a distinctive, Instagrammable (more than 150,000 hashtagged posts and counting) space filled with whimsy and a Dr. Seuss-like atmosphere.
These transplants from the jungle, blooming plants from the mulberry and fig family (genera Moraceae), require much care to flourish inside.
Choose The Correct Container
All indoor plants vary in size depending on their planted container. The more room it has for its roots, the more the plant can become prominent.
To avoid making the existing pot-plant combination look out of proportion, try to give your plant the giant pot you can. Your indoor tree should gradually “graduate” to larger pots as it grows.
Make sure the planter you choose for your fiddle leaf supports drainage and watering of the plant. The new pot should have a maximum diameter increase of 6 inches over the old one.
A 16- or 18-inch pot will work as most of the large fiddle leaf fig trees at Home Depot are in 12- or 14-inch pots.
Your new pot must have drainage holes at the bottom. Otherwise, plant homicide will have occurred.
If you can place a fiddle-leaf fig in a floor-standing container where it can be allowed to grow to at least 6 feet tall, it makes the ideal centrepiece for a room.
The majority of indoor specimens are about 10 feet tall. Use a pot with a single, sizable drainage hole at the bottom, which terracotta pots typically have.
Use a stylish container with multiple drainage holes, such as some plastic pots, and then just place your plant inside.
Fiddle-leaf fig plants prefer quick-draining soil and pots with lots of drainage space so their roots can keep consistently damp but never saturated.
The plant never sits in the water in the wild because the soil is constantly draining. Fiddle leaf figs require potting soil that drains well and has a lot of organic content.
It performs best on peat-based soil with some perlite. For a good reason, this is a staple fare for most indoor potting mixtures.
Soil To Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs In A Container
Your plant needs nutrients from the soil to grow and proper drainage and moisture management.
A moisture meter is also necessary to identify when your plant needs water. Using a moisture meter, you may water your fiddle leaf fig with assurance and without worrying about overwatering or underwatering it. Add dirt to your new container to create a bed for the root ball to rest.
As the top of the soil should be slightly lower than the top of the container, make sure your root ball won't sit too high once it's in place.
If the earth is lying too low, add extra. Fiddle leaf figs require potting soil that drains well and has a lot of organic content. It performs best on peat-based soil with some perlite.
For a good reason, this is a staple fare for most indoor potting mixtures. A fundamental ratio would be around two-thirds peat and one-third perlite. Though many other, more complex recipes might also be practical.
Location To Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs In A Container
Fiddle leaf figs should be grown in an area with lots of indirect light, as direct sunlight may burn the leaves. Give each pot a half-turn once a week to encourage consistent growth.
Keep these plants away from cold, drafty regions and heating vents because they prefer a consistent temperature of about 68°F (20°C).
Although they may be grown outside in zones 10 to 12, most fiddle leaf figs are grown as houseplants in North America, so that is what we will concentrate on here.
Placing a fiddle-leaf fig in a floor-standing container where it can grow to at least 6 feet tall makes it the ideal centrepiece for a room. The majority of indoor specimens are about 10 feet tall.
Sunlight To Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs In A Container
Put your fiddle-leaf fig in a location where it will get a lot of indirect light with just a little morning direct light.
Place it as close to an east-facing window as possible so it can enjoy all-day indirect light without direct sun exposure during the sweltering afternoon hours.
Fiddle-leaf figs prefer bright light and frequently need up to five hours of direct sunlight daily.
It thrives “near to south- or west-facing windows, or directly in an east-facing window,” according to Greenery Unlimited, and nothing can be anything blocking that light (like a building or trees).
A window facing south or west will have too much afternoon sun. So keep in mind that your fig requires adequate sunlight in your home, just like the nourishing rays that come through the deep canopy of the jungle. Sunlight and space to spread out are two requirements for fig growth.
Choose a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. Giving figs a southern exposure or planting them close to a south-facing wall that will retain heat will help them survive the winter in colder climates.
Fiddle leaf Figs favour intense, filtered light. The ideal window faces east or north and has good exposure but not direct sunshine.
Daily brief exposure to direct sunlight is acceptable, but avoid the mid-afternoon sun at all costs.
Temperature & Humidity
For a Fiddle Leaf Fig, you must ensure the humidity is between 30 and 65 percent. If your area is arid, you might need to spritz your plant or provide a humidifier to give it some extra humidity.
Keep your indoor fiddle-leaf fig tree away from heater vents because they can dry out your plant. The ideal temperature range for fiddle leaf figs is between 60°F and 80°F (15.5°C-26.6°C).
But watch out for drafts from windows or doors, fans, or heating vents when planting a fiddle leaf fig. Higher relative humidity is ideal for “fickle fiddles.”
Keep in mind that fiddle leaf figs are picky. They enjoy humidity but dislike being constantly wet. You run the risk of root rot if they are overly damp.
This is the quickest and most transparent approach to increasing humidity. The humidifier can be moved around to benefit your fiddle, which is the most excellent part!
To provide your tree with sufficient humidity, we advise placing a humidifier 5 feet away from it. Humidifiers are widely available and reasonably priced.
Watering To Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs In A Container
Due to their particular water preferences, fiddle leaf figs do poorly when overwatered. Always inspect the soil before watering; only if the top 1 to 2 inches are dry.
Never allow the container to sit in standing water, so if it does, empty the dish or basin it is sitting in before continuing.
Additionally, these plants prefer humid environments and benefit from a weekly watering of the leaves. Just be sure to use a clean spray bottle and room temperature tap water.
Nutrients are transported to the roots via water. Make every effort to ensure that the entire soil surface of your fiddle leaf fig receives moisture when you water it.
Avoid allowing dusty, dry spots to accumulate inside the planter, which can cause the roots to wither.
For plants that are small enough to be moved:
- If you want to soak your plant, put it in a tightly fitting container or sink.
- Add enough water to fill the planter up to around 75% of its height. Water the top to ensure the planter's bottom and top are filled with water.
- Take a 10-minute break.
For plants that are too big to be moved:
- In such a way, extra water can be drained via the drainage holes. Donate kindly.
- Gather this extra water, then add it back into the saucepan.
- Repeat.
- The best approach to avoid a watering mess is with a drip tray underneath the planter.
Planting Fiddle Leaf Figs
Managing soil moisture is essential for fiddle leaf fig success. Indoor Potting Mix is ideal for growing plants because it contains coconut coir, which stores and releases water while facilitating simple soil rewetting.
It should be placed in a container with multiple drainage holes and ⅓ wider than the plant's root ball.
Place the plant so that the top of the root ball is approximately an inch below the top of the pot, and fill the bottom third with potting soil.
More potting soil should be added around the root ball, and once the plant has been thoroughly watered and allowed to drain, it should be placed.
When you notice roots poking through the bottom of the container, repot fiddle leaf figs using the instructions above.
These plants don't want to be disturbed, so don't report them more frequently than required. You might need to re-pot it every year depending on how quickly the plant grows when it is still minor.
Potting And Repotting Fiddle-Leaf Figs
A juvenile fiddle-leaf fig should be repotted every spring. Choose a reliable container with a diameter of around 2 inches larger than the current one.
Lift the plant out of its present pot while holding its base steady and set it in the new one. A potting mix should be used to fill in the areas around the plant.
The plant won't fit in a new pot when it reaches maturity. If that's the case, dig up the top few inches of dirt each spring and add fresh soil.
Additionally, if you plan to undertake the potting labour outside, wait until it is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit before beginning. The fiddle-leaf fig might get unduly stressed by temperatures below freezing.
Propagating Of Fiddle-Leaf Figs
Fiddle-leaf figs grow best from stem cuttings and are challenging to grow from seeds. Working with a cutting is almost error-free.
- Cut a stem with a few leaves 12 to 18 inches long using a pair of sharp shears. Pinch off all but one of the leaves.
- Put the vase containing the cutting in a jar or vase filled with fresh, room-temperature water, and place it in a warm location with bright but indirect light.
- Only when it seems cloudy should you change the water.
- The base of the stem submerged in water will develop little white bumps in a few weeks. After that, roots will appear in the water from those locations in a few weeks.
- Plant the cutting in a 1-gallon pot filled with potting soil when the roots are 1 to 2 inches long. Water the soil thoroughly before planting, but do not let it become soggy or overwatered.
The outer layers of the stem are stripped away to encourage new roots to develop from the inside of a mature plant's stem. Once roots have formed, the new growth is removed and planted.
Pruning Fiddle-Leaf Figs
Your fiddle-leaf fig needs to save energy for healthy leaf maintenance rather than trying to save dead ones.
To encourage new growth and general health, remove any discoloured, bruised, or otherwise damaged leaves from your plant using clean pruning shears.
Your fiddle will start to overrun your space and bow to fit your home if it is happy and healthy. Make sure to cut the tree's top off at least 8 to 10 inches below the ceiling's peak.
Fiddle leaf figs can be produced as multi- or single-stemmed plants, with trunks or stems that are either bare or covered in leaves. Remove the lowest leaves to create a tree-like appearance within.
Pruning to the desired height and cutting back to just above the point where a leaf is growing will control the size.
Wait until spring or summer when the plant is actively growing before pruning your fiddle-leaf fig to generate a tree form with branching lateral growth.
Then, cut at least six inches down from the tip of the tree. You can preserve and grow this cutting!
Fertilizing Fiddle-Leaf Figs
Fertilizer is one of the resources for developing tall, luxurious plants. When you give foliage plants, like fiddle leaves, regular applications of high nitrogen fertilizer, they will repay you with more lavish and better greenery.
Initially, some general fertilizer information The most popular fertilizers for garden-variety plants include a ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
This is written as “N-P-K” next to three numbers representing each constituent's weight ratio on the product label.
Nitrogen is primarily responsible for the plant's total shoot growth, or “vegetative growth,” which is not blooming or reproductive growth.
The development of roots, flowering, and seed germination are all regulated by phosphorus. Potassium is crucial for the regulation and operation of plant cellular processes.
N-P-K ratios should ideally be 3:1:2 or 3:1:3. Therefore, search for similar ratios when purchasing a fertilizer intended for your FLF (or foliage plants in general).
Different ratios won't harm it, but a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content is best.
Common Pests & Diseases Of Fiddle-Leaf Figs
Although these plants have no major insect or disease problems, they are susceptible to scale, spider mites, and bacterial or fungal illnesses. 2 You might see little bugs on the leaves and leaf damage, such as spots or dark patches.
Use the proper fungicide, insecticide, or other treatment as soon as feasible to address the problem.
Additionally, check that your plant has enough air flow and isn't resting in an excessively moist environment, as these factors can help avoid future difficulties.
Bleached Leaves
The plant may receive too much direct sunlight if the tops of the leaves have light brown or bleached areas.
This is referred to as leaf scorch or leaf sunburn. When it comes to a fiddle-leaf fig plant, you can trim the leaf with precise shears and move the plant away from the sun's harsh rays.
Yellowing Leaves
Younger fiddle-leaf fig leaves that are yellowing can have bacterial issues. The plant might not be able to be saved. However, you might try removing the harmed leaves and repotting the plant in new soil.
Dropping Leaves
Losing leaves on a fiddle-leaf fig typically indicates the plant receives too much or insufficient water.
The plant could also be subjected to abrupt temperature changes, which could potentially cause the plant to lose leaves.
Remove the plant from vents, drafty locations, or heating or cooling systems. Reduce the watering slightly so the soil is never wet and always just damp.
Conclusion
With its violin-shaped leaves, the fiddle leaf fig is at the top of the list of eye-catching houseplants. Feel free to comment here if you need help growing fiddle leaf figs in a container.
I trust you enjoyed this article on the Easy Steps To Grow Fiddle Leaf Figs In A Container. Please stay tuned for more blog posts to come shortly. Take care!
JeannetteZ
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