Adorned with wide, violin-shaped leaves and striking veins, this upright leafy tree brings a touch of elegance to any space.
Looking to create a bold statement indoors but with minimal fuss? Grow a fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). With its large glossy leaves and intriguing growth habit, it’s the perfectstatement plant for indoors or in a protected spot on your deck.
How to grow fiddle leaf fig in a pot
Choose a pot at least 300mm wide (or larger, depending on the size of your plant). Position in a well-lit spot, away from direct sunlight.
Partially fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
Position in pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well afterwards.
Water when the potting mix is dry. Insert your index finger into the first knuckle and if it’s dry, water and if it’s moist, leave watering for a few more days.
Feed fortnightly from spring to autumn with Yates Thrive Indoor Liquid Plant Food or use a Yates Thrive Indoor Plants & Ferns Dripper which feeds for 4 weeks.
Growing tips
Fiddle leaf figs prefer humid environments and are typically fine with the ‘climate’ inside a home. However, if artificial heating is used within the room during the winter months, one way to increase humidity levels is to mist the leaves with an atomiser on a daily basis.
When you see roots creeping out of the base of the pot, it’s time to give it a new home. Re-pot plants in early spring into a larger container. Alternatively, you can keep it in the same pot, just prune back the roots – no more than 20 per cent of the rootball – and return to the same pot.
Dust fig leaves regularly with a soft cloth. Dust can clog up the pores of the leaves and make it difficult for the leaves to function.
