6 Helpful Tips for Caring for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig

Published On: Feb 7, 2017
Updated On: Sep 24, 2026
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Caring for your Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Figs are the "it" houseplant right now. Open any home decor or design magazine, and you will see these beauties highlighted throughout, but what makes them so special? Not only are they great for any indoor space, including apartments and indirect light areas, they are a beauty to behold. With shiny, lush leaves and a tall columnar shape, they are a perfect indoor accent plant.

It can be tricky to find the right balance when caring for your Fiddle Leaf Fig. Below are 6 helpful tips for helping yours thrive:

Water

Water only when the top inch of soil is dry – test this by sticking your finger into the soil. Then, drench until water comes out of the bottom of the pot, and repeat when the top inch is dry again. The goal is to keep the water consistently moist but not soak the plant. You can mist the leaves throughout the winter to keep your plant moist, as indoor heat can dry it out.

Light

Your Fiddle Leaf Fig will love bright, indirect light. It wants light, but it doesn’t do well when placed directly in the sunbeams. Afternoon sun from a south or west-facing window will be too strong. If you notice the leaves are droopy, pale, or spotty, move them to a new location for a week or so.

Food

Fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season, but not in winter. The goal is to mimic the natural seasons of growth, once in the spring and monthly in the summer.

Temperature

Don’t keep it where it will be exposed to a cold draft. It’s a rainforest plant that likes steamy heat and will not do well in a cold area.

Repotting or Trimming the Root Ball

When roots begin to grow out of the bottom of the pot, either re-pot your fig into a container that’s a few inches bigger or trim the root ball. Be careful not to reduce the roots by more than 20%.

Cleaning the Leaves

If the leaves are dusty, wipe with a soft cloth dampened in lukewarm water. Cold water can be a shock to the plant.

You, too, can have one (or more) of these amazing houseplants in your home. To start off on the right foot, it is recommended to buy your Fiddle Leaf Fig from a reputable plant nursery.