Establishing a watering routine can be quite difficult for owners of any houseplants, but it can be even more so when you look at the Ficus family. The ficus lyrata is known for being quite picky when it comes to water. As a fiddle leaf fig expert, we can help you improve the plant’s health so that you don’t have to deal with overwatered fiddle leaf fig or other issues.
Watering the Fiddle Leaf Figs
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The fickle fiddle leaf fig trees are native to the African rainforest. The tropical plants thrive under similar conditions, including indirect but bright light and liberal but rarely watering. Take caution not to place this plant near any vents or draughts.
The fiddle leaf fig, which has been a popular houseplant recently, adds a stunning architectural element to any room in the house. Although this luxuriant fiddle leaf fig plant is beautiful and has glossy, violin-shaped leaves, it may be challenging to maintain. But don’t worry; we have advice on fiddle leaf fig care to assist you in maintaining and flourishing in your area.
Overwatering or failing to provide adequate drainage are the two most common ways to destroy a fiddle leaf fig. About once every 10 days or once a week, water the fiddle leaf fig plant.
As we just discussed, fiddle leaf figs are accustomed to receiving a massive amount of water with intermittent dry spells because they are native to tropical habitats. Therefore, it’s recommended to water indoor plants until the soil is barely dripping before letting the soil dry fully in between applications.
Not sure about the next time to water? Simply press a finger into the soil’s top 2 inches. If it feels wet, you shouldn’t water it. Don’t believe in yourself? Purchase a cheap soil moisture meter, and water it when the moisture meter indicates that the soil is completely dry. Excess water and erratic watering can be detrimental.
What Do Brown Spots Mean?
Do the plant’s leaves have brown spots? Browning leaves indicate that you probably overwatered the fiddle leaf fig plants.
The drainage hole needs to be sufficient or you water them too frequently, you might start to experience rotting roots. Hence, proper drainage is also necessary.
When water remains in the soil for an extended length of time, dormant pathogens proliferate and feast on the fiddle leaf figs‘ roots. Letting the soil dry out between waterings ensures that the pathogens are starved, and your plant survives to see another day. While thorough watering is necessary, too much can be fatal.
Root Rot and Browning Edges
Root rot is at blame if the fiddle leaf figs’ roots are mushy and discoloured.
After removing the brown-spotted leaves and the damaged roots, you must repot your fiddle leaf plant. Be careful not to overwater it going forward. You may use a moisture metre to gauge when your fiddle leaf plant needs water. But you don’t need to repot your fiddle leaf plant to diagnose root rot and treat it.
As your fiddle leaf plant tries to conserve the more recent development that is closer to valuable sunlight, root rot has an unusual tendency to attack older leaves first.
Root rot may be the cause if you see more brown patches on your older growth towards the base of the fiddle leaf plant.
In general, this problem is easily treated, especially if it is discovered early.
Since inadequate drainage is typically the cause of rotting roots, you should improve the drainage as soon as possible. A well-draining container, quick-draining potting soil, and infrequent watering are all important.
In order to proceed, you need first evaluate the damage. You don’t need to repot the plant if the leaves just have a few brown patches. Allow your plant to dry out for at least two weeks to give the roots enough time to recuperate. Ensure the plant receives adequate sunshine and remove any damaged leaves.
Can You Use Tap Water for Fiddle Leaf Fig?
For a fiddle leaf fig, you may use regular tap water. Dracaenas are one plant susceptible to fluoride and other chemicals frequently present in tap water systems. Fiddle Leaf Fig, however, doesn’t have a problem with tap water. It is tolerant of the minerals and other purification agents used in drinking water.
Can You Use Distilled Water for Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants?
Yes, you may water a fiddle leaf fig with purified water. Distilled water is a great use for Fiddle Leaf Fig care because it has no minerals. Is there a drawback, though? Yes, and it’s the price; using this way might get expensive. Take into account the cost of purchasing distilled water repeatedly over several years. What then is a reasonable substitute? In this situation, dehumidifiers can be quite useful. The Fiddle tree needs to be watered, so you can use clean water from the dehumidifier.
Can You Use Rain Water for Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants?
You should water the fiddle leaf fig with rainwater. Consider including rainwater in your routine for watering plants. Do fiddle leaf figs prefer rainfall over other types of water? It’s clearly among the top options. It may be utilized to water any indoor fiddle leaf fig plant. Just picture how Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves seem in the rain in the wild.
Although several elements play a role in this, we can be certain that the primary supply of water for plants in their native habitat is rain. So, catch the rainwater instead of letting it flow off. Use it to provide your fiddle leaf figs and other plants with a healthy drink and conserve any extra water for later use.
Can You Use Hard Water for Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Use it because the fiddle leaf fig don’t mind hard water. Although it might not be the ideal water for fiddle leaf figs, it can still be used. Just remember that salts and minerals can accumulate and hurt the fiddle leaf figs.
Flushing them out every few weeks or repotting the plant once a year are quick fixes. The fiddle leaf fig tree will appreciate it if you replace the plant’s soil with a new one each year. If the fiddle leaf fig plant has outgrown its present pot, we also advise switching to new pots while you’re at it.
How To Create a Humid Environment for a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree?
You’re fighting a lost war if you try to increase humidity without first reducing dryness. Be cautious of air conditioning and heating vents, draughty windows, and intense heat from fireplaces and stoves when choosing a location for your fiddle leaf fig. Extreme temperatures and cold air may significantly dry up the air (and the fiddle leaf!), which is not good for fiddles.
Purchase a humidifier to combat low humidity. This is the quickest and clearest approach to increase humidity and ensure the environment is evenly moist. The humidifier can be moved around to benefit the fiddle leaf plant, which is the nicest part! In order to provide your tree with a sufficient amount of humidity, we advise placing a humidifier 5 feet away from it. Humidifiers are widely available and reasonably priced.
A pebble humidity tray is a fantastic substitute for humidifiers if you don’t want to spend the money on one. One may easily create one by placing gravel or pebbles in a shallow dish or tray and then adding water until the gravel or pebbles are 13 to 12 immersed. Afterward, put your plant on top. Since you don’t want the fiddle leaf plant to take in the additional water and get overwatered, the water shouldn’t be touching the bottom of the plant’s pot.
If you’d like, you can use the pebble tray in addition to your drainage tray. When the water evaporates, it can provide some humidity that the fiddle leaf will adore, which is why it works so well!
Feeding Fiddle Leaf Plants
During the growing seasons of spring and summer, your plant is actively creating new leaves. It will expend a lot of energy on developing new leaves and branches. It’s essential to offer sufficient nutrients to maintain a healthy plant, just as people require the right fuel to refill their bodies.
In the spring, summer, and fall, use diluted liquid fertilizer every other time you water and every time you water (every week). For optimal results, use plant food, liquid house plant fertilizer, or slow release fertilizer.
Fiddle Leaf Fig food is precisely made to provide the plant with the most nourishment possible. There are instructions on it for how to feed it.
Conclusion
The fiddle leaf fig is a great plant to have indoors! With simple things like proper fiddle leaf fig watering, plant food, addressing brown spots, taking care of the plant’s soil, and ensuring proper a drainage hole in the plant’s pot can make a huge difference.