Fiddle leaf fig
Ficus lyrata · Moraceae
📷 Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around fiddle leaf fig and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, large and deeply lobed in lyre shape
- Flowering
- Discreet figs (non-decorative), nearly invisible
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 3 m indoors, up to 15 m in natural habitat
- Growth
- Moderate to rapid in optimal conditions
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, minimum 13°C
- Origin
- West Africa (Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone)
- Soil type
- Rich and well-draining potting mix
Expert tips
The key tip
Le Ficus lyrata étouffe vraiment dans un pot trop grand avec un substrat qui retient l'eau : utilisez un mélange léger (terreau + perlite ou écorce), un pot juste adapté à la motte, et attendez que les 2 cm supérieurs du substrat sèchent avant d'arroser. C'est LA clé pour éviter la fonte racinaire qui tue la plupart des plants d'intérieur.
The common mistake
Arroser régulièrement selon un calendrier fixe au lieu d'observer le sol : le Ficus lyrata meurt plus souvent d'excès d'eau que de sécheresse, surtout en hiver ou dans un pot sans drainage adéquat.
The pro's trick
Essuyez les grandes feuilles 1 à 2 fois par mois avec un chiffon humide (pas d'engrais miracles) : cela améliore la photosynthèse, limite les cochenilles et vous force à inspecter la plante régulièrement, détectant les problèmes avant qu'ils ne s'aggravent.
Seasonal watch
À l'automne et l'hiver, réduisez drastiquement l'arrosage et éloignez-le des radiateurs : le choc thermique et l'air sec déclenchent une chute massive de feuilles en 2-3 semaines, même sur une plante en bonne santé.
Care
Watering
Water regularly in spring and summer, allowing the soil surface to dry between waterings. Reduce watering in fall and winter. Use room-temperature water, preferably not hard water. Avoid excess water which causes root rot.
Light Exposure
Place your lyre fig near a window with bright, indirect light. It tolerates slight shade but grows best in abundant light. Rotate the pot regularly to ensure balanced growth. Avoid cold drafts and sudden changes of location.
Soil and Repotting
Use rich indoor plant potting mix with organic matter, lightened with a bit of perlite or sand to improve drainage. Repot in spring every 2 to 3 years into a slightly larger pot. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
Fertilizing
Feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer. Reduce to once a month in fall and don't fertilize in winter. Follow recommended dosages to prevent mineral salt buildup.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune lightly in spring to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or damaged wood. Clean large leaves with a damp cloth to improve photosynthesis and appearance. The flowers are insignificant and require no special treatment.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs, especially in dry air. Yellowing leaves indicate excess moisture or under-nutrition. Brown spots may result from damage or an environment that's too cold. Isolate the plant if infested and treat with mild solutions (soapy water).
Did you know?
The Ficus lyrata originates from tropical regions of West Africa where it naturally grows as a forest canopy tree. Its distinctive lyre-shaped leaves, unique among Ficus species, earned it its distinctive name and made it a highly prized choice for interior decoration since the early twentieth century. In Africa, it was used in traditional practices and often symbolizes strength and stability.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Fig treeFicus carica
- White MulberryMorus alba
- Osage orangeMaclura pomifera
- Red mulberryMorus rubra
- Rubber plantFicus elastica
- Black mulberryMorus nigra
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.