Simple tips on how to grow and care for Fiddle leaf fig

According to history Fiddle leaf fig is a native to Africa. Fiddle leaf fig is also known as Ficus lyrata.  This particular plant can grow a couple feet every year if it is given the proper care. Fiddle leaf fig is among the popular houseplants that can climb up to six feet or more in your home. Fiddle leaf fig has a green and shiny leaves, and it also has a unique shape. Fiddle leaf fig are are slow growers and they stay much shorter when they are grown as houseplants. Below are the simple tips on how to grow Fiddle leaf fig successfully.

How to grow and care for Fiddle leaf fig

1. The Light requirement: Actually a brightly lit spot without direct sunlight is the best. Make sure you protect it from the afternoon sun. If the Fiddle leaf fig is kept too dark, it will not grow well. During the summer, it really enjoys a shady spot outdoors.
2. The water requirement: Don’t forget that this plant is native to a warm and wet climate. Make sure you keep it moist, but do not allow it to sit in water. Make sure you water it when the root ball is almost dry. (Leaves will droop when they need water.) make sure you reduce watering in winter. Don’t forget that over-watering can cause root rot and the oldest leaves to turn yellow and drop. If it is actually under-watered, the newest leaves will turn brown, dry up, and drop.
3. The Temperature requirement: Actually the best temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees F. Make sure you avoid temperatures lower than 55 degrees. Also avoid cold drafts from windows, doors or air conditioning units which may cause the leaves to dry out and drop.
4. The Humidity: A normal room humidity is okay, you can increase in the winter by misting the leaves if the heating system dries the air. You may want to lightly damp sponge leaves to remove dust and improve the glossy appearance.
5. The soil requirement: It is highly recommend you use a good draining posing soil like Fafard.
6. The Fertilizer requirement: This particular plant does not have a strong need for fertilizer like other ficus trees. You can feed the plant with a weak (diluted) liquid fertilizer about once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).
7. The pruning of the plant: You can remove the leaves as soon as you see them deteriorating and check for the problems. Also you can prune the top to keep it at the desired height.
8. How to Repot plant: Under normal condition a healthy fiddle-leaf figs will grow slowly as houseplants. Fiddle-leaf figs are top-heavy, you can use a heavy pot to anchor the plant. Make sure you repot a young plant every spring, stepping up the pot size each year until it reaches the desired size, or until you cannot manage the container anymore. Immediately it has matured into a large container, you can scrape off the top 2 inches of the soil and replace it with fresh potting soil annually.