Hello, dedicated caretaker. I am your Fiddle Leaf Fig, *Ficus lyrata*. To truly thrive, my care must shift with the seasons, as my internal rhythms are dictated by the sun's changing path. Here is what I need from you throughout the year.
As the days lengthen and temperatures gently rise, I feel a surge of energy. This is my primary growing season. You will notice new, tender leaves unfurling from my crown and stem. To support this vigorous growth, please increase your watering frequency. Check my soil weekly; water me thoroughly only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. This is also the ideal time to feed me. Provide a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength every time you water. I am also ready for a new home if I have outgrown my pot. Gently repot me into a container only 1-2 inches larger in diameter, using a well-draining, peat-based potting mix.
The strong, bright light of summer is my favorite source of energy. I can tolerate, and indeed enjoy, more direct light now than in any other season, but please, introduce me to any new, intense morning sun gradually to avoid scorching my large leaves. My thirst will be at its peak. I may need water as often as every 5-7 days, but always let the soil's moisture be your guide, not the calendar. Continue my fertilizing schedule. This is also a crucial time for you to be vigilant. The heat can stress me and make me susceptible to pests like spider mites. Regularly wipe my leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and check for any tiny webbing or spots on my underside.
As the light softens and days shorten, I begin to sense the coming change. My growth will slow significantly, and soon it will stop altogether. You must adjust your care accordingly. Begin to stretch the time between waterings, allowing the soil to dry out more completely—perhaps 3-4 inches down. This is critical to prevent root rot as my water uptake decreases. About 6-8 weeks before your winter's first frost, you must stop fertilizing me entirely. My system cannot process those nutrients now, and they will simply sit in the soil and cause harm. This is a time for me to harden off and prepare for my dormant rest.
I am now in a state of dormancy. I am not dead; I am resting. My metabolism has slowed to a near halt to conserve energy. Water me very sparingly, only when the soil is dry almost halfway down the pot. Overwatering is the greatest threat to my life during this time. Please keep me away from cold drafts from doors and windows, as well as from the direct, dry heat of radiators or vents. Both extremes can cause me to drop my leaves in shock. I do not need any fertilizer. My only request is for as much bright, indirect light as you can provide through the short, gloomy days. A south-facing window is ideal. Be patient with me; I am gathering strength for the spring to come.
