Ficus care

Do you want your Ficus to be healthy, happy, and a true eye-catcher in your home?
Then take a moment to read our care tips. Make sure to water regularly and don’t let the soil dry out completely. This way, you’ll give your green friend the best start. With a little love and attention, both your bond and your Ficus will grow into a stunning centerpiece in your living room.

Best location for the Ficus

The Fiddle Leaf Fig loves light – especially bright, indirect sunlight. Be careful with strong sun rays, especially at first, as they can burn the leaves if the plant isn’t yet used to them. Too little light isn’t ideal either, as it can cause the plant to drop leaves. Try to find a nice balance and let it gradually adapt to more sunlight.

A spot near an east- or west-facing window is perfect. This plant doesn’t like being moved around; too many relocations can stress it out and cause leaf drop.

Watering the Fiddle Leaf Fig

The Ficus prefers regular watering but in small amounts. Keep the soil slightly moist without letting it get soggy. A little water once a week is usually perfect. Always let the top layer of soil dry out before watering again, as wet feet can cause root rot. In winter, you can water less frequently since your Ficus will need less water.

Has the plant been repotted? Then it’s a good idea to use a water meter or moisture meter. You can’t see from the outside how much water is sitting at the bottom of the pot. A meter tells you exactly how wet or dry it is around the roots — and that’s what really matters.

Humidity and temperature

The Ficus originates from warm, humid regions, so it feels best in moderate to high humidity. In dry air — such as during winter when the heating is on — the leaf tips can turn brown. Help your Ficus by misting the leaves occasionally with a plant mister or placing it on a tray filled with water and hydro pellets. This is an easy way to increase humidity.

The ideal temperature for this tropical houseplant is between 18 and 24°C.

Ficus soil and pot

The Fiddle Leaf Fig grows best in light, well-draining potting soil. Use indoor plant soil, preferably mixed with perliteor hydro pellets to improve drainage. Make sure the nursery pot has drainage holes so excess water can flow out easily. Always place the pot in a decorative pot with a waterproof inner lining or on a saucer to prevent water damage to your floor.

Feeding the Fiddle Leaf Fig

During the growing season (March to September), your Ficus benefits from extra nutrients. Feed it with liquid houseplant fertilizer every 4 weeks to support growth and leaf development. In autumn and winter, you can skip feeding, as the plant goes into rest. Never give more than the recommended amount stated on the packaging.

Repotting the Ficus: how and when?

The Fiddle Leaf Fig grows steadily and can be repotted every 2 to 3 years. The best time to do this is in spring, when the plant starts actively growing again. Choose a decorative pot that is about 2–5 cm larger in diameter, giving the roots more space without forcing the plant to use too much energy on root growth.

We explain exactly how to do this in our blog “How to repot your plant.”

Pruning the Fiddle Leaf Fig

Pruning a Ficus isn’t always necessary but can help maintain its shape or make the plant more compact. Remove dead or damaged leaves with a clean pair of scissors and trim back long branches to encourage branching. The best time to prune is in spring or early summer.

Keep in mind that the plant produces milky juice, which can irritate the skin and eyes. It’s therefore recommended to wear gloves when pruning.

Propagating the Ficus

Propagating a Ficus is a bit more challenging than with many other houseplants, but it’s not impossible. You can propagate through stem cuttings or air layering.

For stem cuttings, cut a healthy branch with a few leaves and place it in water or moist soil. Root formation takes time and patience. Air layering — where a section of a branch is encouraged to root while still attached to the mother plant — often has a higher success rate.

Common problems with the Fiddle Leaf Fig

The Ficus is slightly more sensitive than the average houseplant and can react to changes in care or location.

• Leaf drop: Often caused by too little light, overwatering, or a sudden change of position.
• Yellow leaves: Usually a sign of too much water or a lack of nutrients.
• Brown leaf tips: Often indicates dry air or irregular watering.
• Sticky leaves: May indicate aphids or scale insects. Check the plant regularly and treat promptly with an insecticide if necessary.