Fiddle Leaf Fig: Beautiful Decor Plant – Details and Care Tips
They are an indoor ornamental plant with huge leaves. It is difficult to maintain but can add to the beauty of the place ones they get accustomed and start to grow. They are fast growing and can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
Quick Details for Fiddle Leaf Fig
| Other Name | Ficus lyrata |
| Type | Indoor Ornamental Plant |
| Maintenance | Moderate to High |
| Flowering | Very rare |
| Light | Bright to medium indirect light |
| Water | Normal |
| Temperature | Can survive the harsh climate up to an extent |
| Soil | Any well-drained potting mix |
| Fertilizer | Any house plant fertilizer like Compost, Seaweed liquid solution |
| Habitat | Western Africa |
| Toxicity | NIL |
| Common Diseases | Aphids, Mealy Bugs, Spider Mites, Brown Leaves, Brown spots on Leaves, Dropping of Leaves, Root Rotting |
| Scientific name | Ficus lyrata |
Overview if Fiddle Leaf Fig:
The evergreen trees belong to the family of Moraceae and are native to West Africa. The leaves resemble the shape of a fiddle hence the name fiddle fig. They can grow to a height of 12-15m. The leaves have variable shapes and have a waxy glossy appearance. Even though they are considered as a flowering tree, the formation of flowers and seeds are rare.
Special features Fiddle Leaf Fig:
The leaves are large and attractive. The plants are grown indoor because of their attractive large dark green leaves and their ability to cleanse the air present around them. They can live for more than 50 to 70 years.
Usage of Fiddle Leaf Fig:
- It is an indoor ornamental plant.
- It has the quality to purify the air.
- It is also said to balance the humidity in the air.
General Care for Fiddle Leaf Fig
Soil: well-drained fertile potting soil
Light: Fiddle leaf figs prefer luminous, filtered light. Keeping them close to a sunny, east-facing window can help the plant take in lots of sunshine all day long. The plant can be rotated ones in a month to ensure equal exposure of light on all sides.
Watering: It requires adequate water, but excess watering can lead to brown leaves. The watering should be done so that the soil remains wet enough for healthy growth. Under watering or over watering can cause the leaves to turn brown and become unhealthy.
Fertilizer: The plants can be fertilized during the spring or their growing season. Fertilizing the soil ones, a month ensures the healthy growth of the plant. Ant house plant fertilizer can be used.
Pruning: Cutting back a few leaves every once in a while, prompts the growth of your fiddle leaf fig. Tapping back any damaged leaves so your plant can focus on providing its healthy leaves with nutrients. The cross branches should be cut out since fiddle leaf fig trees require breathing space for healthy growth. The trees can be pruned according to a specific shape.
Diseases in Fiddle Leaf Fig:
The plants are mostly attacked by aphids, mealy bugs, and spider mites.
This can be prevented by spraying a soap solution or insecticides.
The plants can also face problems due to under watering or over watering. This can lead to leaves turning brown or the formation of brown spots. This can be controlled by monitoring the watering.
Propagation of Fiddle Leaf Fig:
The propagation is done mostly through stem cutting. A healthy stem at least with a height of 8 to 12 inches is selected and cut at the nodes. The stem cutting should have at least 2- 3 leaves. The cutting can be either placed in water or can be planted in the soil after dipping in rooting hormone. After the development of roots, it can be repotted into a pot or in-ground. A plastic bag can be put around the cutting to maintain moisture.
