The Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, also known as the fycus lyrata, is one of the most coveted house plants. Its name comes from its stunning bright green leaves that are shaped like the body of a violin. These plants make a great impact wherever they’re placed in the home and their trendy appeal doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
While the Fiddle Leaf is a beautiful plant, it’s also notoriously difficult to take care of. This plant is native to the African rainforest and actually requires some specific conditions to truly thrive indoors. Below, I’m sharing my top tips on maintaining a Fiddle Leaf Fig indoors.
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Tips for Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Indoors
1. Pick a Sunny Window
A fiddle leaf fig will do best near a window with bright, indirect light. However, too much sunlight can cause sunburn or browning. I recommend placing your tree close to a southern facing window OR a western/eastern window with no light obstructions. Once you’ve chosen an appropriate spot in your home, try not to move it around too much. Fiddle leaf figs will occasionally drop leaves when they’re stressed.
2. Water Sparingly
One of the easiest mistakes to make with a fiddle leaf fig is to overwater it. My best advice for watering is to check the top inch of soil by sticking your finger in it. If it’s damp, there’s no need to water. If it’s dry, water generously and make sure your plant has adequate drainings. I typically water my fiddle leaf fig every 8-10 days, but that varies based on the season.
In the winter, you might find that your plant will need less water than usual. During the spring and summer, you’ll want to supplement your waterings with a natural, organic fertilizer to encourage growth.
If you don’t feel confident checking the moisture level on your own, you can always get a soil moisture meter to let you know when your plant is in need of watering.
3. Rotate Regularly
Fiddle Leaf Figs living indoors will need to be rotated on a regular basis due to their tendency to “reach” and grow towards the sunlight. I rotate my plant every few months to give it the best opportunity to grow in a straight line. This is especially important if your plant is in a window because the leaves have a tendency to rotate towards the sun.
4. Fertilize During the Growing Months
Spring and summer are the best times to fertilize your Fiddle Leaf tree. The easiest way is set a reminder for once a month and add a fertilizer concentrate to your watering can. This is a simple way to provide nutrients for your plant without overwhelming the soil. The fertilizer below is formulated specifically for indoor plants.
5. Wait to Re-Pot
If you bought your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree from a local store, you might be tempted to transfer it into a new pot immediately. This can be disruptive and stressful for plants, so I would recommend re-potting after one year or 18 months. If your plant is very large and you want to hide the original pot it came in, you can always place it in a basket.
Where to buy a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
I actually bought my 6-foot Fiddle Leaf Fig at Costco for only $35. They typically have a lot of tropical plants available in the spring and summer months and you can get a great deal!
If you’re having trouble finding a plant, you can actually find medium sized ones on Amazon that ship directly to your home.
Not sure if you want to dive into caring for a Fiddle Leaf Fig just yet? Check out our post about the Top 5 Low Maintenance House Plants to learn about alternative house plants.
