Complete Guide to Fiddle Leaf Fig Care and Growth

Ideal Light for Fiddle Leaf Fig

This is the most critical factor for a happy Fiddle Leaf Fig. It craves lots of 👉 bright, indirect light-and will not survive long-term without it. It needs a spot where it can see the sky for most of the day. Without enough light, it will struggle, develop 👉 leggy growth, and drop leaves.

The perfect location is right in front of a large east-facing window. It can also thrive a few feet from a south- or west-facing window, but it should be protected from the harsh, direct afternoon sun by a sheer curtain, as its leaves can scorch. Rotate your plant a quarter turn every week to ensure all sides get even light, which prevents leaning.

Best & Worst Light Conditions

• Best Light Conditions:

  • Directly in front of an east-facing window.
  • A few feet from a south or west-facing window.
  • In a very bright corner where two windows meet.

• Avoid:

  • Low-light locations. This plant is not a good choice for a dark room.
  • Intense, direct afternoon sun, which will cause sunburn.

The Key to Success: Consistency

Watering Frequency

• Growing Season (Spring-Summer): Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. This is typically every 7-10 days for most homes. For more precise moisture monitoring, especially in larger pots, consider using a moisture meter to check deeper soil levels.
• Dormant Season (Fall-Winter): Growth slows, and the plant needs less water. You might extend the time between waterings to every 2 weeks or more. Always check the soil moisture before watering.

How to Water

What Kind of Soil Does Fiddle Leaf Fig Like?

Fiddle Leaf Figs need a soil that provides excellent drainage and aeration. A standard, dense potting mix will retain too much moisture and can quickly lead to root rot, the number one killer of these plants. The soil needs to be chunky to allow oxygen to reach the roots.

The ideal soil should be:

• Fast-draining.
• Well-aerated.
• Rich in organic matter.

DIY Soil Mix Recipe for Fiddle Leaf Fig

You can create an excellent growing medium for your Fiddle Leaf Fig with this mix:

• 2 parts high-quality potting soil
• 1 part orchid bark or coco coir chips
• 1 part perlite or pumice
• A handful of horticultural charcoal

This blend ensures water drains properly while holding enough moisture to keep the plant happy.

Ideal Temperature

Fiddle Leaf Figs prefer warm and stable conditions. They are extremely sensitive to cold drafts.

• Ideal Range: 65-80°F (18-27°C).
• Avoid: Keep them away from drafty windows, doors, and A/C or heating vents. A sudden blast of cold air can cause it to dramatically drop its leaves.

Humidity Needs

Fertilizing for Growth

When and How to Fertilize

• Growing Season (Spring and Summer): Feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer formulated for houseplants, diluted to half-strength.
• Dormant Season (Fall and Winter): Stop fertilizing.

Always water the plant before applying fertilizer to prevent burning the roots.

When to Repot

Repot your Fiddle Leaf Fig every 1-2 years, or when it becomes root-bound. They don’t mind being slightly snug, but a pot that is too small will stunt their growth.

• Frequency: Every 1-2 years.
• Signs: Roots growing out of the drainage holes, water running straight through the pot, or slowed growth.

Repot in the spring to give it the best chance to recover and grow.

How to Repot

1. Choose a New Pot: Select a pot that is only 2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. A pot that is too large holds too much moisture.
2. Remove Gently: Carefully ease the plant out of its old pot. They dislike having their roots disturbed.
3. Pot Up: Place the plant in the new pot on a layer of fresh, well-draining soil. Fill in around the sides and water thoroughly.

Why and When to Prune

Pruning is key to shaping your Fiddle Leaf Fig and encouraging it to branch out into a more tree-like form.

• Why Prune: To promote branching, control height, remove damaged leaves, and improve air circulation.
• When to Prune: The best time to prune is in the spring, when the plant is in its active growth phase.

How to Encourage Branching

1. Topping: To create a “tree” shape, wait until the plant reaches your desired height. Then, using clean shears, snip off the top of the main stem just above a leaf. This will signal the plant to send out new branches from the nodes just below the cut.
2. Notching: A more advanced technique to encourage a branch at a specific spot. Make a small, shallow cut about 1/4 inch above a dormant leaf node on the main trunk. This can trick the plant into activating that node to produce a branch.

Creating New Plants

Propagating a Fiddle Leaf Fig can be challenging but rewarding. The most common method is through stem cuttings.

For tall, single-stem trees or when you want near-certain success, try 👉 air layering.

How to Propagate with Stem Cuttings

For step-by-step tips on rooting cuttings directly in potting mix, see our soil propagation guide.

1. Take a Cutting: Take a top cutting that is at least 6 inches long and has 2-3 healthy leaves. A piece from pruning is perfect.
2. Let it Callus: Allow the cutting to sit out for an hour to let the cut end callus over.
3. Root in Water: Place the cutting in a jar of water in a spot with bright, indirect light. Change the water weekly. Be patient; it can take 1-2 months for roots to appear.
4. Plant in Soil: Once a healthy network of roots has formed, you can transfer the cutting to a small pot with soil.

Pests That May Affect Fiddle Leaf Fig

Check your plant regularly, especially the undersides of leaves, for any signs of pests.

• Spider Mites - These are the most common pest. They are tiny and thrive in dry air. Look for fine webbing and stippling (tiny pale dots) on the leaves.
• Mealybugs - Look like small pieces of white cotton and hide in the crevices where leaves meet the stem.
• Scale Insects - Appear as hard, brown bumps on stems and leaves that can be scraped off.

Troubleshooting Fiddle Leaf Fig Issues

Fiddle Leaf Figs are very expressive. Here’s how to interpret their signals.

• Brown Spots - Soft, dark brown spots starting from the leaf’s center or edge usually mean root rot from overwatering. Hard, crispy brown edges mean underwatering or low humidity.
• Edema - Small, reddish-brown speckles on new leaves are typically edema. This happens when the roots take up water faster than the leaves can transpire it, causing cells to burst. It’s a sign of an inconsistent watering schedule.
• Leaf Drop - This is the plant’s panic response to a sudden change. Common causes include being moved to a new location, a cold draft, or a sudden change in light or watering.
• Yellowing Leaves - Usually a sign of overwatering. The lower leaves are often the first to turn yellow and drop.

Why are my Fiddle Leaf Fig's leaves dropping?

What are the brown spots on my Fiddle Leaf Fig's leaves?

Is the Fiddle Leaf Fig toxic to cats and dogs?

How do I make my Fiddle Leaf Fig branch out and look like a tree?

How much light does a Fiddle Leaf Fig really need?