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Fiddle leaf fig care with tips on using the right soil, watering your plant and propagation.

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) Care

The fiddle leaf fig, or the Ficus lyrata, is one of the most popular, trendy indoor plants around today. They make a gorgeous focal point in any room, though they can be somewhat of a challenge.

It took me years to try my hand at growing a fiddle leaf fig. I bought into the hype that they were challenging so I stayed away from them for several years.

I finally caved and bought one and I'm happy to say that my first and only fig, Leo, has been with us for 3 years.

He's thriving.

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Fiddle leaf figs are fast growers and can even reach up to ten feet tall indoors.

There are a few cultivars (variations) of the fiddle leaf fig, including the Ficus lyrata Bambino, a dwarfed plant that only grows a few feet tall, and the Ficus lyrata Compacta, which is also dwarfed and grows smaller leaves that are more bunched together.

Also known as the banjo fig, the fiddle leaf fig has large, deeply veined, glossy foliage.

With such great leaves comes great responsibility, though!

The trickiest part of fiddle leaf fig indoor care is ensuring that its giant but beautiful leaves get plenty of sunlight. Other than that, fiddle leaf figs aren’t too demanding and will tolerate most indoor environments just fine!

Fiddle Leaf Fig Origin

The fiddle leaf fig originated in western Africa, and grows abundantly everywhere from Cameroon to Sierra Leone. It's indigenous to lowland, tropical rainforests.

Because of their origins, the fiddle leaf fig thrives in humid, warm, bright environments.

This stylish indoor plant became trendy for interior design and decor in the 2010s. Splashed on almost every home decor magazine and all across Pinterest, the fiddle leaf fig plays wonderfully into any aesthetic.  

Most people tend to grow FLF indoors but they can grow outdoors as well. If grown outdoors, they can reach over 60 feet tall!

Incredibly, these plants can grow on top of other trees, spreading their vast roots and strangling the host tree.

Light, Soil, Water

How much light does a fiddle leaf fig need?

The Fiddle leaf fig’s massive leaves require lots of sunlight, though too much light can burn the leaves.

The solution?

Bright, filtered light from a south or west-facing window.

Direct exposure from an east-facing window will also work, since the afternoon sun won’t be as intense. If you plan on keeping your fiddle leaf fig in direct sun, however, it will need very high levels of humidity to keep it healthy.

My Leo spends his days near our dining room window that faces west. It seems like he prefers this spot although I do need to turn his pot every few months because he tends to lean towards the light source...the sun.

Unfortunately FLFs don't do well in low-light locations, as its leaves will begin to droop and even shed. Luckily we've never had to deal with this with Leo.

Besides finding the perfect spot for you FLF to sunbathe, you should try to occasionally dust your fig's leaves and trim off dead ones to allow the healthy leaves to soak up the sun.

Best soil for your fiddle leaf

Soil is essential to your plant’s health and growth. When picking soil for your fiddle leaf fig, you should pick one that drains well while retaining moisture.

A mixture of half perlite for good drainage and half peat moss for moisture retention will work perfectly. Vermiculite should also work because it retains moisture well.

Don't use a soil mix with sand as it contains salt. Its soil pH should be slightly acidic, around 6 to 7.

Watering your fiddle leaf fig

Fiddle leaf figs need a decent amount of moisture, especially in its soil. During spring and summer months, water the fiddle leaf fig thoroughly whenever the top two inches of soil dry out.

During the winter, water it slightly less.

I find that I can sometimes go two weeks without watering Leo during the winter. Of course you may need to do it a bit more, or less, depending on your home's enviroment.

Signs that you aren’t watering your plant enough include yellowing or browning leaves, wilting leaves, and limp or floppy stems.

Overwatering, on the other hand, could lead to root rot, cause it to drop leaves, and even die. To keep that from happening to Leo I often test the moisture level in the soil with a soil moisture meter.

Temperature & Humidity

Fiddle leaf figs originated in the warm, humid rainforests of Africa, so that should tell you a lot about its temperature and humidity needs.

These plants don't do well with large temperature fluctuations, and have an ideal range between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They do not tolerate cold well at all, so it’ll do just fine indoors, however keep it away from drafty windows and doors.

They thrive in humidity which can sometimes be hard to imitate indoors, especially during the winter months. Fiddle leaf figs prefer humidity levels around 50-60%.

To artificially increase humidity indoors, you can mist the plant daily, place it on a pebble tray with water, or even set up a humidifier nearby.

Propagating a Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle leaf figs can get pretty pricey because of how popular they are, so propagating yours might be a good idea.

First thing’s first, prepare your new pot with propagation mix. The pot should have a drainage hole at the bottom, and ideally its soil should be half perlite and half peat moss to retain moisture and drain properly.

Mix thoroughly, then poke a hole in the center in preparation for the new stem cutting.

Use a sharp, clean pair of scissors or pruners to cut a healthy stem. These are my favorite pruning shears.

The ideal stem should have two to three nodes (where a leaf connects to the stem).

You should cut right below the lowest node. The more nodes, the more possible growing points there are when propagating. Then dip one end in rooting hormone, which will speed up the rooting process.

Place your stem cutting about a third of the way deep into its new soil.

Cover the top of the cuttings with a plastic bag, and mist it daily to keep the humidity high. Don’t let the soil get too wet, however, because the stem cutting rots very easily.

Keep it in bright, indirect light. You can expect rooting to occur in four to six weeks. A good way to tell if roots have sprouted is to tug gently, if you feel resistance, roots have sprouted!

Some people have success with propagating a fiddle leaf fig in water, but it can be a bit tricky.

You have to change the water every other day to get the plant enough oxygen, which even then might not be enough. Most people stick to propagating a stem cutting in soil for the best results.

I haven't tried my hand at propagating my FLF but I'd like to give it a try. I'd love to have a baby Leo.

Final Thoughts

The fiddle leaf fig makes a lovely addition to any home! Its giant, glossy leaves are stunning, though they do require a bit of upkeep.

The maintenance is worth it, though. As long as you find a nice, sunny spot in your home for this fast-growing, tropical plant, it will grow beautifully!

Leo is in desperate need of repotting so that is my next task. I'll share a separate post on the process.

Have you ever tried to grow a fiddle leaf fig?

Check out my other plant care post...

Bird of Paradise Plant Care

Tips and info for bird of paradise plant care including how and when to water, what to do about pests and how to repot.

Bird of paradise plants are a beautiful species of evergreen plants native to South Africa. They are arguably one of the most popular indoor plants with large, glossy, banana-shaped leaves that fan out and light up a room.

I have always loved these plants and now I am lucky enough to have one in our cottage. I found my bird of paradise, Ethel, more than 2 years ago in my local home improvement store for $15.

She had broken leaves and was shoved in a corner, left for the trash, so I scooped her up and brought her home to live in our light-filled sunroom.

Bird of Paradise Origins

Birds of paradise are hardy, long-lasting plants that will adapt to most indoor environments.

Originating in South Africa, the bird of paradise gets its name from the way its flowers bloom. Its flowers are made of three bright cantaloupe-orange petals, and three royal blue petals that are fused into one bud.

When the flower blooms each of the petals fan out, and the result looks a lot like a bird in flight.

There is also a type of bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai, that blooms white bird flowers.

Bird of Paradise Meaning

This plant is so beloved in South Africa that it’s been grown at their Royal Botanic Gardens since the eighteenth century. Strelitzia reginae and Strelitzia nicolai, its scientific names, were given by Sir Joseph Banks, one of the directors of the royal gardens.

Strelitzia comes from Queen Charlotte, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Depending on where in the world you are, birds of paradise take on different meanings and representations. In South Africa, it’s native country, they represent joy and paradise, hence the name.

In Hawaii, where Georgia O’Keeffe famously painted White Bird of Paradise, they stand for magnificence and a positive outlook on life.

Bird of Paradise Plant Growth

Bird of paradise plants are easily recognizable by their large, glossy, green leaves and vivid, fanned out flowers.

This is what drew me to them when I was looking for a plant for our sunroom.

They can be grown inside and in a wide variety of environments, however, the biggest challenge owners face is their size.

Birds of paradise can grow up to 6 feet tall and 6 feet wide!

They are relatively easy to care for, but the most important thing that they do need is sun exposure.

The optimal growth for a bird of paradise is in a pot indoors, being moved outside for the summer months and then inside for the dormant season.

As my Ethel is already touching the ceiling, and the pot is very heavy, we aren't able to take her outside for a bit of summer sun. She doesn't seem that upset about it though, as you can tell by her growing size.

The beautiful bird-like flowers they produce will only bloom after the plant has matured to about five years old. This is when watering and sunlight is especially critical for the flowers to bloom.

The bird of paradise will reward your patience and diligence with beautiful, vibrant flowers.

We haven't reached that point yet but we're hopeful that Ethel will bloom in her own time.

One word of caution about growing a bird of paradise is that it can be toxic if consumed in large amounts by people or pets. Make sure you watch your children and pets carefully around them.

Indoor Bird of Paradise Plant Care

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Light

When caring for your bird of paradise, always remember where they come from.

South Africa is known for averaging 8-10 hours of sunshine per day, therefore, birds of paradise require very bright light, and lots of it.

Mature plants can easily handle long hours of sunshine, and should be positioned by a southern or western-facing window to maximize their sunlight.

They should be getting at least six hours of sun per day.

My Ethel sits next to windows on three sides of the sunroom, facing south, east and west, so she has plenty of light.

Younger plants, however, can’t handle direct sunlight as well and could possibly scorch their leaves, so gradually work up your younger birds of paradise.

Not enough sunlight is the main reason why bird of paradise flowers don’t bloom.

If your home is not suited for that much sunlight, moving the plant outside during the summer can help, so long as you increase its exposure gradually.

You can also add artificial light to help with growth.

Water

A good rule of thumb is to water once a week, but water thoroughly if the topsoil is completely dry.

The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy, particularly during their growing season in spring and summer.

Overwatering can kill a bird of paradise because its roots cannot handle sitting in water, so be sure to let the soil dry out before deeply watering again.

Although this plant is evergreen, they still go dormant during the fall and winter months, and require very little water. You should only have to water about once a month during their dormancy, allowing the top 2 inches of topsoil to dry out completely.

Avoid using water with high salt concentration, as this could burn the leaves.

One device that I've found useful, so that I don't overwater Ethel, is a soil moisture meter. They're fairly inexpensive and it's a great way to check the moisture in the soil.

To maintain humidity, mist the plant with water during the growing season. If the inside of your home is particularly dry, you can add a plate with pebbles and water underneath to increase humidity.

Soil

Birds of paradise aren’t very picky about their soil, as you can tell by all the different places it can grow.

Using a basic, rich potting soil that retains water is good enough, however, drainage should be a top priority.

As stated before, their roots can't handle sitting in soggy soil, so be sure the soil you pick is loamy, aerates, and drains well.

As for fertilizer, birds of paradise require lots of feeding during their growing season in the springtime. I use pellets but liquid fertilizer is perfectly fine.

Pests

Common pests in birds of paradise are aphids, scale, spider mites, and mealy bugs. Since the plant’s leaves are so large, though, it’s really easy to tell if a pest has taken hold of it.

If you find your plant has pests, simply wipe off the leaves with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water, making sure to clean both the top and underside of the leaves. Spray pesticides should not be used on the leaves as they can damage their finish.

My solution for pests on Ethel has been to spray warm soapy water on her leaves and stems.

I mix 1 teaspoon of mild soap, usually Dr. Bronner's, with about 4 cups of warm water. I pour the solution in a squirt bottle and liberally spray down the leaves and stems.

How to Repot a Bird of Paradise

If you’re growing a bird of paradise indoors, like I am, it’ll grow much slower than it would outdoors.

Based on the size of your roots, you might have to repot it every three years to allow for more growth. A tell-tale sign you need to repot is when you can see the roots growing outside the soil.

To allow the plant to grow taller, repot into a container that’s at least 2 inches larger than the current one. If not, you can reuse the same pot or one that’s slightly larger, and just switch out the soil.

To repot, lay out some garbage bags or newspaper to keep from making a mess all over. Remove the plant from the pot, and shake off as much old soil as you can, particularly from the roots.

Add the soil of your choice to a new pot, and place the plant in the center. Pat down firmly until all roots are covered by soil.

Water the soil deeply, then place your repotted bird of paradise in indirect sunlight.

At this point, the plant needs time to adjust to its new pot, and should be gradually exposed to direct sunlight.

I was always intimidated to grow my own bird of paradise but they really are easy to care for. The most important thing for a happy plant is sunlight and she has plenty of that.

Have you ever tried to grow a bird of paradise inside?

Want more plant ideas, on a smaller scale?

Simple DIY Succulent Planter