Hello! From my perspective, light is my entire world. I am a Fiddle Leaf Fig, a descendant of giants from the West African rainforest, where I grew tall beneath the dappled sunlight of the canopy. To truly thrive with you, I need to replicate that experience. Please place me directly in front of a large, bright, east or west-facing window. The gentle morning or afternoon sun is my favorite. A south-facing window is also wonderful, but perhaps a few feet back so my large, delicate leaves don’t get scorched. I will literally lean towards the light, so remember to rotate my pot a quarter turn every week so I grow straight and don’t become lopsided. If I don't get enough light, I will protest by dropping my lower leaves and becoming leggy as I desperately stretch for more sun.
My relationship with water is complicated. I despise having wet feet. In my natural habitat, my roots enjoy moisture but also perfect drainage. The biggest mistake you can make is to love me a little too much with your watering can. Please only water me when the top 2-3 inches of my soil are completely dry. Push your finger into the soil; if it feels dry, it’s time for a drink. When you do water, do so thoroughly until water runs freely out of my pot’s drainage hole—this is non-negotiable. Let all the excess water drain away completely, and never let me sit in a saucer of water. Soggy soil will suffocate my roots, leading to root rot, which is often a death sentence for me. In the winter, I drink much less.
I am a tropical plant, and I crave humidity. The dry air from heating and air conditioning systems is very stressful for me and can cause the edges of my beautiful leaves to turn crispy brown. You can make me very happy by misting my leaves regularly, placing a small humidifier near me, or grouping me with other plants to create a more humid microclimate. I also prefer a stable environment. I enjoy the same temperatures you do, between 65°F and 75°F (18°C - 24°C). Please keep me away from drafty doors, windows, and heating or cooling vents, as sudden temperature fluctuations cause me great stress and can lead to leaf drop.
To support the growth of my large, fiddle-shaped leaves, I need nutrients. During my growing season (spring and summer), please feed me a balanced, liquid fertilizer once a month. This gives me the energy to push out stunning new growth. In fall and winter, I am resting, so let me be. As for my home, I will need to be repotted every one to two years, or when you see my roots circling the pot or growing out of the drainage hole. Choose a new pot that is only 2-3 inches larger in diameter. Too much space means too much wet soil, which, as you know, is very dangerous for my roots. Use a well-draining, peat-based potting mix to keep me healthy and anchored.
