Are you looking to spruce up the home with houseplants that aren’t only aesthetically pleasing, but that provide benefits to your home? A fiddle leaf tree is a perfect addition for you!
What is a Fiddle Leaf Tree?
Ficus lyrata, also known as the fiddle leaf tree, is indigenous to western Africa in countries such as Sierra Leone and Cameroon. They are from the plant family of mulberry and fig trees known as Moraceae. Fiddle leaf trees are also referred to as fiddle leaf figs.
Moreover, they’ve been dominating social scenery for nearly two decades and their reputation continues to grow.
Why are Fiddle Leaf Trees so Popular?
So what is the big fuss over these fiddle leaf fig trees? Interestingly enough, their rise to fame began with their ability to photograph well. Adoration of these seemingly perfect placements began surfacing in interior design magazines and exploded with social media venues like Pinterest.
Because Pinterest is a platform that demands visually stunning content, interior decor blogs followed the magazines lead and began using them to fill negative space. By the year 2012, Pinterest was booming with ten million users, pinning and repinning this illustrious houseplant. Seven years later and it’s still a Pinterest sensation and trending hashtag on Instagram.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Growth Rate
In their natural habitats, a ficus lyrata grows to heights of 40 feet or more. Because of their large, veiny leaves, they aren’t ideal plants for trimming down to smaller sizes. Floor standing containers that can accommodate six feet of growth are excellent selections.
This Ficus is a slow-growing plant that may take up to 10 -15 years to reach full maturity, but after 3 or 4 years of growth, it starts to become an attractive tree like an ornamental house plant.
House Plants Experts
What do Fiddle Leaf Figs Do for Your Home?
Fiddle leaf figs are one of many plants that work to improve the air quality of your home. According to a study performed by NASA, an 1800 square foot home should house 15-18 houseplants to combat airborne toxins and improve air quality. Roughly, three-to-four plants per room. The large, violin-shaped leaves of the plant are powerful in purifying the room’s air. Additionally, they transform your environment by breathing life into dead spaces. Plants can be purchased in tabletop and towering tree forms.
Fake Fiddle Leaf Figs Versus Real
Contemplating a fake ficus lyrata over its natural state? Hey, I get it. After tons of research, it turns out these remarkable additions to the home can be difficult to keep alive without proper conditions. However, don’t write them off yet. After discovering where you can buy them, I’ve provided optimal growing conditions and tips for my mamas determined to earn their green thumbs! But first, let’s check out some retailers.
Where to Buy a Real Fiddle Leaf Tree?
Thousands of plant nurseries, department stores, and online retailers sell fiddle leaf trees, requirements for care, and products to maintain their health.
Amazon Plants Store
Let’s start with my favorite online retailer, Amazon. Featuring hundreds of selections in varying sizes. Also, they have a plethora of resources to help you nurture, love, and grow your ficus lyrata.
Costa Farms Live Ficus Lyrata, Fiddle-Leaf Fig
All trees are fully rooted and ship fresh from Costa Farms. This particular Ficus lyrata measures four feet tall and is planted in a beautiful white, natural seagrass basket. Adding life and design to your home. It’s no secret why this is labeled Amazon’s Choice. Place her near a sun-facing window but don’t forget to rotate every couple of months for best growth distribution.
United Nursery Ficus Lyrata Tree Live One Stem Indoor Plant Fiddle-Leaf Fig 32″
Beautiful with its large, leathery, deep green leaves. United Nursery’s 32 inches one stem ficus lyrata is a great starter plant. Due to USDA restrictions, they’re unable to transport to California and Arizona. Additionally, they ship from Florida.
Acosta Farms – Fiddle Leaf Fig
This live indoor and outdoor houseplant is 24”-36” tall and grown in a 9.25” pot. Another great starter plant for those new to fiddle leaf tree care.
In addition to the actual plants themselves, Amazon has potting soil, pruners, planters, and books that help love your ficus lyrata.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig Expert: Your Guide to Growing Healthy Ficus Lyrata Plants
The fiddle leaf fig expert is an easy to understand guide that helps both novice and experienced growers. The guide was written for fiddle leaf fig lovers who want to understand what their plant needs to thrive and provide ideal growing conditions.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil by Perfect Plants
Perfect Plants provides a professional blend for all fiddle leaf figs. This all-purpose mix provides nutrient enrichment and drainage control. Coconut Coir, a natural soil additive is used to retain water and drain excess moisture from its roots.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food
Fiddle leaf fig tree fertilizer from The Fiddle Leaf Fig Resource is optimal for healthy roots and strong growth. Free from salt and urea, providing zero risks of burning your plant. Nutrient enrichment helps avoid yellowing and brown spots on the leaves.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Slow-Release Fertilizer by Perfect Plants
Different from other fertilizers it uses slow-release pellets to release essential nutrients over a six month period. Aiding in trunk toughness, stability, leaf color, and glossiness. This five-ounce bag works on all fig tree sizes and is made for indoor and outdoor use. Re-apply every six months for nutrient enrichment.
Sonkir Soil pH Tester, MS03 3-in-1 Soil Moisture/Light/pH Tester
This 3-IN-1 tool tests the soil’s moisture, pH value of the plant to let you know when to water it, and control the pH value in the soil to get adequate sunlight. Insert the needle 2-4 inches into the soil to get a stable reading. Promoted heavily as accurate and reliable, this tool has a 12-Month Hassle Free Money Back or Free New Replacement guarantee.
Local Plant and Tree Nurseries
Another wonderful place to find fiddle leaf trees is your local plant nursery. Supporting local business is always a welcomed adventure and staff is more likely to be adept at answering all of your questions regarding proper care and maintenance.
Where to Buy a Fake Fiddle Leaf Tree?
Not interested in the work that goes into taking care of a ficus lyrata but you love their appeal and want to use them to spruce up your decor? Artificial fiddle leaf figs are huge right now and easily accessible. Here are a few well-known establishments that routinely stock these plants. For clarification, artificial plants don’t improve air quality, but they still create a welcoming atmosphere.
Fiddle Leaf Tree Ikea
Ikea, everyone’s favorite Swedish department store, has been carrying different variations of artificial fiddle leaf trees for years. Rumored to routinely have one for around $19.99 at participating locations. Unfortunately, it’s unavailable online.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Home Depot
The Home Depot is another fabulous spot to pick up faux alternatives to fiddle leaf fig trees. Additionally, they often sell real plants as well. Plug into their website’s store locator to see what selections are available to you locally and online.
Wayfair Fiddle Leaf Tree
Wayfair you’ve got just what I need. Did you sing that with me? I love this place and it’s no wonder. Look at how real the veins texture the artificial leaves. Score the best deals on artificial fiddle leaf figs at Wayfair online.
World Market Fiddle Leaf Fig
Cost Plus World Market is one of the most popular places for finding faux alternatives planted in unique baskets and pots. Warning, their entire website is filled with delectable finds.
Fiddle Leaf Tree on Overstock
Overstock is a magnificent site for finding bargain steals on artificial fiddle leaf fig trees. With authentic looking leaves that feel real to the touch.
Fiddle Leaf Tree at Bed Bath and Beyond
Bed Bath and Beyond have a nice selection of artificial ficus lyrata to choose from on their website. Plug in your location to see what options are available at your local store.
Amazon Plants Store
Another incredible location for finding a multitude of fake fiddle leaf trees is Amazon. You knew that, didn’t you? God, I love them. Here is a sampling of there fantastic selection.
Nearly Natural 5346 Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
This Nearly Natural masterpiece stands six feet tall and is perfect for the home or the office. This plant features multiple trunks with an explosion of dark, deep green leaves.
BEGONDIS 5-Feet Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Standing at five feet tall, this fiddle leaf tree offers a stylish spiral shape with realistic veining leaves. Where the base meets the trunk in the pot is lined with faux moss. Easy to maintain and difficult to distinguish their artificialness. Begondis claims they’re so lifelike, you’ll have to reach out and touch them to know that they’re a fake.
Nearly Natural Artificial 4’ Fiddle Leaf Tree in White Tower Planter
This Nearly Natural fiddle leaf tree comes in an awesome white tower planter with natural moss. Making it perfect for minimalist design and engaging open spaces.
Have you found what you’re looking for? Read on to learn about proper growing conditions for your plant, and overcoming its common growing pains.
How to Grow Fiddle Leaf Trees Indoors
Because fiddle leaf fogs are tropical vegetation they grow best in extremely warm and wet conditions. While this can prove challenging indoors, ficus lyrata are tenacious plants that can withstand less than optimal conditions for lengthy durations of time.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Optimal Growing Conditions
Several factors are considered when nurturing your fiddle leaf fig including the lighting, watering, soil conditions, temperature, humidity, fertilizer, and pests.
Lighting
Ficus lyrata demands bright, consistent light and can even soak up the full force of sunshine. Place it near a sunny window and rotate every couple of months, once it begins growing towards the light. Avoid drafty windows, as cold air will cause the leaves to dry out and drop. If kept in cooler, darker conditions it will fail to increasingly grow.
Watering
Proper watering habits of your fiddle leaf fig require constant moisture without sitting in heavy water. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Allowing it to soak in deep water will cause the plant to drop leaves and/or develop root rot.
Soil
Despite being a bit high maintenance with their watering and lighting needs, any fast-draining potting soil will suffice with a ficus lyrata. However, be prepared to re-pot your plant once a year. Upgrading your pot size annually to accommodate overcrowding from root growth. Adverting root rot and circulation problems.
Temperature
Naturally, as a native tropical plant, your fiddle leaf fig thrives best in warmer temperatures. Between sixty and eighty degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Avoid extreme changes in hot and cold and place it away from heaters and air conditioners.
Humidity
If you live in an extremely dry climate you need to supplement your plant with extra humidity. Mist it, introduce an air humidifier into its environment, and establish humidity between 30%-65% for best results.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer isn’t a significant requirement in properly maintaining your ficus lyrata but it can experience great benefits. If you’re looking to double its growth, read about how Emily at Dossier, had success with it and what fertilizer and techniques she used to do so.
Pests
Fiddle leaf figs are susceptible to scale, mites, whiteflies, mealy bugs, and aphids. These infestations cause leaves to turn yellow and drop. If experiencing these signs, mix a solution of ½ teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap and one gallon of water. Wipe the leaves with the solution.
To avoid pests problems keep your plant well-trimmed and mist the plant regularly.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Brown Spots
Another common and frustrating ailment are brown spots on fiddle leaf fig leaves. There are four main causes of brown spots on your ficus lyrata, root rot, bacterial infection, dryness, and insect damage. Understanding how to determine and treat these conditions will assist in keeping your plants healthy and brown leaf free.
Has this article been helpful in answering your fiddle leaf tree questions while fulfilling your shopping needs? Let me know in the comments below.
