Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
Through the year 🗓️
☀️ Summer now
Consistency is everything in the heat, so no drought-then-flood swings.
🍂 Fall
Keep it in maximum light as days shorten; expect sulking if it gets moved.
❄️ Winter
Keep away from drafts and radiators, and water noticeably less.
🌱 Spring
Notch or prune now to force branching; repot every other spring.
The details
Light & placement
- Light
- Very bright indirect to gentle direct morning sun; sulks in dim corners
- Ideal PPFD
- 300–500 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹
- Grow-light distance
- 12–18 in below LED
Water & feed
- Watering method
- Water deeply when the top 2 in are dry, then leave it alone. Hates both soggy soil and drought swings.
- Fertilizer
- Balanced or 3-1-2 liquid feed at ½ strength, monthly in spring–summer.
Home & habit
- Soil
- Rich, well-draining indoor mix; pH 6.0–7.0
- Humidity
- Average–high (40–60%)
- Temperature
- 65–75 °F; hates cold drafts
- Mature size
- 6–10 ft indoors
- Repotting
- Every 1–2 yrs in spring
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings with 1–2 leaves in water; air layering for large branches.
When something looks wrong
- Overwatering signs
- Brown-black blotches starting mid-leaf; dropping leaves; musty soil
- Underwatering signs
- Overall wilt, tan crispy edges, leaf drop
- Common pests
- Spider mites, mealybugs, scale
Common problems 🩺
The usual suspects when Fiddle-Leaf Fig looks unhappy. Most houseplant trouble is watering or light, not disease — see all plant problems if you are not sure which plant is the culprit.
Brown spots in the leaf center
Likely cause
Root rot from overwatering — the classic fiddle-leaf complaint.
What to do
Let the top 2 inches dry, make sure it drains, and water on a strict schedule.
Brown edges and leaf drop
Likely cause
Underwatering, dry air, or a cold draft.
What to do
Water more consistently, keep it away from vents and doors, and hold it above 60°F.
Dropping leaves after a move
Likely cause
Shock — fiddle-leaf figs hate change and sulk when relocated.
What to do
Pick one bright spot and leave it there. Do not keep moving it to "help".
Leaning toward the window
Likely cause
Reaching for light.
What to do
Rotate it a quarter turn each time you water so it grows evenly.
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