Ficus Lyrata

Ficus lyrata is native to tropical Cameroon in Africa and is in mulberry family, Moraceae. Its natural environment is hot, humid and it rains often but lightly. They have giant green leaves with lots of cells that need lots of sunlight for food production. The Fiddle is like other plants, in that it uses the sun’s energy for food, but the Fiddle’s leaves are giant compared to most other plants, so they’ll need lots of sunlight. If the leaves are dropping, the plant is not getting enough light. Fiddles are going to need consistent, bright, filtered, sunlight.

Turn the plant every few months once it begins to lean towards the light. It prefers an east-facing, sunny window as afternoon sun from a south or west-facing window is too strong and will burn the leaves.

Water when the top 50%-75% of the soil becomes dry, then thoroughly drench until the water drains into the saucer. Empty the saucer if the water level is high so as not to drown the roots. If your plant does not get enough water, the leaves will become limp and floppy, eventually turning brown or yellow before falling off.

Feed the plant once during the Spring and then monthly throughout the Summer. Over-fertilization can cause the Fiddle Leaf Fig to grow leggy and can even kill it. No fertilizer is necessary during the Winter when plant growth naturally slows down.

• Fiddles do well in temperatures between 60-80°F.
• Keep the plant away from air conditioners, drafts and heating vents.
• The plant does well in normal household humidity through it prefers higher humidity.

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