Large Fiddle Leaf Fig
All about the fiddle leaf fig tree
The beautiful but extremely delicate fiddle-leaf fig tree is one of the most popular houseplants. This big plant makes a big statement as a major trend of modern décor. But despite that ego boost, the Ficus lyrata is super fragile and fussy—best for dedicated plant lovers. The fiddle leaf fig’s leaves don’t look much like fiddles, and the figs don’t taste much like figs, but you’re not buying it to play music or feed your family: You’re buying it to take your home’s ambience to the next level. And oh, it will.
Some say that fiddle leaf fig trees became popular with the rise of Pinterest, because they’re so aesthetic. A few years later, Ikea began to carry fiddle leaf figs, and in another few years, the New York Times called it “The ‘It’ Plant of the Design World.” Interior design magazines and blogs rave about it. It’s fiddle leaf’s moment in the sun, but she just wants to rest peacefully and be pampered extravagantly.
How tall is the Extra Large fiddle leaf fig tree?
When you get the extra large size Fiddle Leaf Figs, it will be at least 3.5-5 feet tall. It can grow up to 10 feet indoors!
Fiddle leaf fig tree benefits
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It makes your house look classy and modern.
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It purifies the air like nobody’s business.
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It’ll sympathize when you’re feeling a little delicate.
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Adding some major greenery to your home is good for your mental health.
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Adding some major greenery to your office will make it a more pleasant environment for RTO.
Is a fiddle leaf fig tree the right plant for you?
Are you prone to loving gorgeous but high-maintenance people? (We haven’t seen your Tinder history, but we can guess.) If so, then this is the plant for you. When you keep it alive, you’ll feel very good about yourself.
Fiddle leaf fig care
Fiddle leaf fig tree difficulty level: Expert. Not a good first plant—it’s best for seasoned plant lovers who really want to invest in the relationship.
Does the fiddle leaf fig tree like sun or shade?
Stop killing the fiddle leaves! Just give it more light! You want a beautiful, lush, and dense fiddle leaf? Simply give the poor plant as much light as possible and stop reading into blogs that hyper-focuses on small details that doesn't really matter.
Keep the plant in *at-the-very-least-for-the-love-of-god* bright light, that is a spot that is naturally bright, that you can confidently say "yes, this spot is * bright". The plant will tolerate indirect bright light, but you will have to deal with some leaf shedding while it transitions from a california sunshine greenhouse to your city apartment.
Want to know the best way to care for a fiddle leaf? Or did you come via a google search for fiddle leaf care? I hope I've made it abundantly clear to get the lighting right because it is all about the lighting, so read our ultimate houseplant lighting guide (coming soon) to get a real understanding of indoor lighting, and read our fiddle leaf fig care guide (yes we've made a specific care guide for the fiddle leaves and didn't bunch it together with the ficuses because we feel it's necessary)
How often does the fiddle leaf fig tree need to be watered?
Watering is secondary to light, if you haven't read the lighting section yet, read it. Now.
We hate calling it a watering schedule, and if I could think of another word for it, I would. But point is, you should wait until the first 2 inches of the soil is very dry or when you can see the leaves significantly wilting (don't worry it will perk back up), to water the plant.
So to put it on paper, it should be around once every 2 or sometimes 3 weeks before you water a large fiddle leaf this size. It all depends on how long your environment (and the season) can dry out the first 2 inches of the soil (but if you're watering every other day- you're doing something wrong). So monitor it, with your finger, a moisture meter, or a chopstick- whatever you have that you can stick inside the soil and wiggle it around. Remember to do it across a couple spots of the soil
Remember, it's always better to underwater than to overwater, so when in doubt, dry it out, you can always revive an under-watered fiddle leaf but not always the other way around. When it's finally time to water, please water the plant thoroughly. Thoroughly means a continuous 2-3 minutes of slow and loving water around the soil, and you should see some water come down the bottom in most cases. If you don't, take a deep breath- it's okay.
Now if you have came here via a google search perhaps looking for the best watering instructions for a fiddle leaf fig, or- how to water a fiddle leaf fig or- HELP SOS- my fiddle leaf is dying, take 4 breaths in and read our ultimate fiddle leaf fig care guide (coming soon), it'll have all the information you need and you'll have a chance to reach out to us.
Does a fiddle leaf fig tree have any special requirements?
The fiddle leaf originates from rainforests in Africa, so it insists on a nice humid climate. If you don’t have one, buy a humidifier. Or use a pebble tray, or at least mist it every time you notice how pretty it is.
Don’t put it by a door or a vent. Fiddle leaf fig suffers when the temperature changes, and you can’t even lend her your hoodie.
Fiddle leaf doesn’t get out of bed for less than a million dollars—if you move her from one window to another, she’ll suffer. So pick that first window carefully (ideally an east-facing one).
You might need to clean her leaves occasionally, as she loves to look her best (and needs clean leaves to photosynthesize properly). Wipe up the dust with a damp cloth or paper towel, and be gentle.
Feed the fiddle leaf fig tree fertilizer a few times a year—but don’t go overboard, she’s watching her figure.
Re-pot the tree annually, with a pot that’s just a little bigger.
Trim dead, damaged, or diseased leaves with clean scissors.
Yeah, it’s a long list—like we said, she’s best for dedicated plant lovers—but she’ll reward you for taking good care of her.
Is the fiddle leaf fig tree safe for pets?
Sadly, the fiddle leaf fig leaves are beautiful but dangerous. Protect your pets from this toxic relationship. (She prefers to get all your attention, anyway.)
Must know before buying a fiddle leaf fig
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It’s a popular staple of modern décor, so your home will look cool.
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It’s a delicate, emotional plant that requires a lot of specific care. If you keep it alive, you’ll feel cool.
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Lots of light—mostly bright and indirect.
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Water every week or two.
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Tell her how much you love her every day.
