Plant Profile: Fiddle-Leaf Fig

Right now the plant du jour is the lush fiddle-leaf fig, and for several very good reasons

Carol Bucknell 13 March 2017

Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises in writing about gardens, houses and design. Author of two books on garden design: Contemporary gardens of New Zealand and Big Ideas for Small Gardens both published by Penguin. I also design gardens and am a passionate gardener. Currently I write the garden pages for New Zealand magazine Your Home & Garden and contribute to NZ Gardener and NZ House & Garden magazines.

Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises... More

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We’re in love with indoor plants again, and few are more sought after than the fiddle-leaf fig. The stately form and lush dark green leaves of this subtropical tree are gracing the interiors of some of the coolest apartments and houses around. A member of the ficus family, many species of which are grown as house plants, the fiddle-leaf fig was given its common name because of its impressive violin-shaped puckered leaves. It’s been a popular house plant on and off for many years and the fiddle-leaf fig’s latest renaissance will be no surprise at all to its many long-term admirers.

Traditional Family Room Traditional Family Room

Plant at a glance
Common name: Fiddle-leaf fig
Botanical name: Ficus lyrata
Origin: Western Africa
Size: As a house plant, the fiddle-leaf fig normally grows to around 3 metres in height, but can grow significantly larger outdoors, or if indoor conditions are right. If preferred, you can pinch out the plant’s centre leaf bud to restrict its vertical growth. This will encourage branching.
Looks best: In a large pot that’s in proportion to its top growth.

Sarah Davison Interior Design

Signature traits
Very large (up to 40 centimetres long) leaves and a thin trunk give the fiddle-leaf fig a distinctive tree-like appearance. Prominent veins in the glossy leaves also make it a talking point in any room, particularly clean contemporary spaces such as this one.

Who is this plant best suited to?
Anyone looking for a statement plant that’s bound to attract attention; the fiddle-leaf fig is not about background greenery. Those with black thumbs might want to give this plant a miss though, as it can easily be killed through over-watering or positioning in a breezy spot.

Kate Monckton Interior Design

Where is it best positioned?
Ideally somewhere warm – around 24°C – and in an uncluttered area, where its stunning looks can be appreciated fully. It will tolerate both low and bright indirect light. Direct sunlight will burn leaves.

How much maintenance is involved?
These plants can be a bit temperamental, requiring dusting, misting and careful watering to keep them happy and healthy.

John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

When to water
Only when the top of the planting mix is dry. Try not to overwater, as this can cause the roots to rot. Restrict watering during winter when growth slows down, and mist leaves with warm water if you are heating the room regularly. Dry air will lower the humidity levels in a room drastically; anathema to fiddle-leaf figs that will easily dry out.

Revamp Interior Design

How to fertilise
In spring and summer, feed with a diluted fertiliser every month. Don’t feed during autumn and winter.

How to repot
Fiddle-leaf figs do not grow very rapidly, however, while your plant is young and growing it can be repotted in spring into larger containers as required. Make sure potting mix is well drained. Once your plant matures you should only need to replace the top level of the mix once a year.

Tomaro Architecture

Potential problems

The fiddle-leaf fig can collect dust easily on its very large leaves, which will inhibit its ability to photosynthesise and therefore affect its overall health. Dust leaves regularly to keep them glossy and looking good.
Browning of the leaf edges may be caused by the low level of humidity in dry rooms. Misting regularly with water will raise the humidity and also minimise pests such as mealy bug.
Soft leaves and brown patches are often a sign of overwatering. Only water when the top 5-8 centimetres of potting mix is dry.

Tell us
Have you kept fiddle-leaf figs as house plants? Share your experience with these beautiful plants in the Comments below.

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Mullins Design Architects

Fiddle leaf figs mmmm

Remember not to plant in your garden once they have out lived their inside life . They grow to a massive tree with an uncontrollable root system

2 Likes 16 March 2017 at 11:25am

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Meridith

Large plants in their 'forever pot' do well if placed on a custom made trolley with castors. I've done this with my large pots so I can move them outside and give them a shower down and freshen them up!

4 Likes 17 March 2017 at 7:25pm

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