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The Tale of Fiddle Leaf Fig Fail {CONFESSION}

by | Feb 21, 2014 | Decorating Inspiration, my house

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The Tale of Fiddle Leaf Fig Fail {CONFESSION}

You might remember when I got my Fiddle Leaf Fig last year. It was really full and green and other than some brown spots or edges here and there, it looked pretty good. It filled up the corner of my family room quite nicely and made me look like I was not only really trendy and designery, but like I had a green thumb.

But within a few weeks, as I do every plant I’ve ever owned, I killed it.

Or tried to.

The Tale of Fiddle Leaf Fig Fail {CONFESSION}

Caring readers tried to help save it and gave me such good ideas and tips.

Concerned plant people were asking their friends and spouses for advice and emailing me its diagnosis.

But it continued the downward spiral until it basically had no leaves left.

It was just a stick in the pot.

There.

I said it.

The Tale of Fiddle Leaf Fig Fail {CONFESSION}

Readers starting noticing the blank lonely corner in my family room where it used to be. I got lots of emails from people were wondering where the Fig went.

So of course I was honest and told everyone I just set it outside to die enjoy the warm summer sun.

But once it was outside, I actually forgot about it.

I never watered it.

I never talked to it.

It was around the corner from view so I didn’t even see it most of the summer.

I left it for dead.

I assumed it was gone.

I didn’t mention it again. I just started a search for a new Fiddle Leaf Fig.  I had flashbacks to when my little sister and I were kids and we had pet goldfish. Mine was named Seymour. My sister’s fish was named Jill.  A few times my mom and I found Jill floating in the fishbowl. There was a quick moment of panic,  but I would spring into action distracting my sister while my mom would run out to get a brand new Jill. Yes, sometimes Jill looked a little different. Sometimes Jill was on vacation for days. One time she returned a different color, like with a suntan. But the important thing in my sister’s world was that JILL NEVER DIED.

The Tale of Fiddle Leaf Fig Fail {CONFESSION}

So back to the Fig, while I was out of town in the Fall something miraculous happened. My husband texted me a picture of how our gravel patio area was coming along. That actually wasn’t the miraculous part, that was just how I discovered it. While I was really excited about all the progress and help in the backyard while I was out frolicking on the beach in Tybee out of town slaving away working, I noticed something way way in the back corner of the yard.

A tiny little something that wasn’t there before.

Do you see it?

It was the Fig! ALIVE AND WELL! (It was the SAME one, I promise.)

My husband had moved the Fiddle Leaf Fig from where I had left it to the back corner of the yard when our helpers started digging out the patio.

And there it was in the photo, alive! With leaves!

I could hardly believe my eyes.

The Tale of Fiddle Leaf Fig Fail {CONFESSION}

I was stunned, but of course I said all the right things when I saw it. “I’m glad to see it’s doing so well. I meant to do that. It just needed some sun. It was outside to recover.” BLAH BLAH BLAH. I left it there until mid-fall. It was still looking pretty good but I decided it should probably come in where I could care for it through the winter {RED FLAG!}. I brought it in to the brightest sunny area of the house to spend the winter, which isn’t really SUNNY because we live in Washington, but it was the best sun I could offer it.

You may have spotted it way back in the corner of our living room the other day. It is alive, but you may have noticed it’s a little scrawny looking. A shadow of its former self. Bless its heart, though, it’s trying to stay alive.

The Tale of Fiddle Leaf Fig Fail {CONFESSION}

Upon close inspection, you can see some of the leaves look like this. Brown, scaled and crispy. And they sometimes fall off.

All I can think of is for its own good it might be begging me to put it back outside when the sun comes out. No plant wants to risk being in my care.

So now you know the whole story of what happened to the Fiddle Leaf Fig. I wish I could say it was thriving fluffy beautiful green plant, but this is all I’ve got. Failure.

I just may need to start over with a new plant.  Or perhaps be plantless. I just love house plants so I wish I could keep them alive!

Has anyone had a thriving Fiddle Leaf Fig in their house longer than one year?

58 Comments

  1. Anne

    You should get an Aspidistra (I think is called a Cast Iron Plant) – it can survive almost anything! The Danish name for it translates to “pub plant” or “bar plant” because it can survive living in a dark corner and being watered with beer or being forgotten completely! :-)

    Reply
  2. Becky

    I love fiddle leaf figs and just bought one at IKEA a couple weeks ago (quite a bit smaller and only $13). I am so hoping I can keep it alive! I have lots of house plants and have moderate success with them, but I don’t have any tips on this plant. It’s my first one. I’d say go buy a new one and try again. It was perfect in that corner of your room.

    Reply
  3. Glenna

    http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/Ficus-Lyrata-growing-Fiddle-leaf-Fig-Indoors.htm

    Best reading said this is a tropical plant and needs to stay most but not wet, it is prone to scale, mites and other problems. I have sent you the link above to read about it.. I for one think it is a beautiful tree but like the fig tree that bears fruit, it seems to like losing its leaves… The fig that bears fruit will loose it leaves in the fall and new one come back in spring… Hope this helps you, I love plants but it is so hard to keep house plants in the house that are tropical of nature since they need more moisture… Good luck. Glenna

    Reply
  4. Natalie

    Yep! My FLF is thriving, however in Australia it’s just so sunny that it would be impossible to kill it! And yes, I reassure it how gorgeous it is daily :D

    Reply
  5. Lori H

    I myself am a serial plant murderer, and did not get my mother’s green thumb gene (my sister did). My solution is to only buy a few real plants, like Chinese evergreen, that are super hardy (a few have still died) and to invest in some really GOOD fakes. All my succulents are fake – I can’t even keep those alive :)

    Reply
  6. LJ

    She’s a survivor, a completely perfect plant for you! They are indeed fickle, dropping all of their leaves when there’s a change in environment. This looks like a great corner for her though, she will do well, maybe not a giant tropical locale size, but well! You’ll see.. :)

    PS Plants are so much cheaper than flowers and last so much longer. A worthwhile investment no matter the outcome!

    Reply
  7. Jayme

    Maybe you could try a table top terrarium. They are supposed to be easier.

    Reply
  8. Kay

    I, too, wish to be trendy + own a fiddle leaf fig but haven’t been to IKEA (yet) when they’re in stock.
    Fingers crossed, though!
    Sorry about the plant-murdering “thing” — I suffer from said-same when it comes to the highly-coveted topiary or standard houseplant.
    Rosemary, coleus, myrtle — you name it — if it’s a topiary, I kill it.
    To amuse myself, lately I’ve been singing to the dearly departed plants, “Another one bites the dust!”
    Good X’s!

    Reply
  9. Jenny

    Hello! I’ve worked for 11 years at a nursery greenhouse with all kinds of green plants, including the fiddle leaf fig. Looking at the big crispy spots, it could be a moisture issue. The advice we always give our customers about watering all kinds of indoor tropical plants is:
    1. Be sure the container has good drain holes, not blocked. If the plant is sitting in a tray, empty the tray after every watering so the plant never sits in water.
    2. Wait to water until the top 1/2 inch or so of soil is dry, especially in the winter, when the plant is indoors and doesn’t get as much sun and doesn’t need as much water. The time between waterings will vary depending on a lot of factors, but if you go by the 1/2 inch rule, and not a predetermined schedule, you’ll do fine.
    3. When you do water, water thoroughly so the entire soil profile is moistened, then let drain well. Consider moving the plant to your shower or another water-friendly area so it can get a thorough drenching without harming your floor. Drain completely then set back in its spot.
    4. Never use soft water. The salts in soft water collect in the soil, slowly making the plant sick. I have soft water, so in the winter, I get my plant water from the outdoor spiggot.
    5. Keep away from heat vents and other sources of heat. I have a heat vent right under my best south-facing window, so I use deflectors to direct the hot air away from the plants.

    Hope that helps! All that said, I don’t think fiddle leafs are the easiest plants to grow indoors to begin with. Sun-loving plants like figs, coleus, crotons, and the like tend to be tricky indoors because they’re so much happier with more light. Without enough light, watering becomes a tricky issue because overwatering is just as bad as underwatering, especially in the winter.

    Jenny

    Reply
  10. Kathleen Grace

    I have found that God is a much better gardener than I am . Lol I have killed many plants, I once killed a cactus from underwatering. ;>)

    Reply
  11. Annie

    My fig tree was doing the same thing. I started to water it with distilled water and it seems to not be getting the brown spots anymore. Im not sure it is thriving because it’s not growing new leaves but it isn’t loosing them anymore either. I water it every week when I remember. I also make sure I let the water soak to the bottom without too much coming out the bottom. I mist the leaves and stalk every time I water too. Hope this helps.

    Reply
  12. Mindy

    I am a gardener , love growing vegetables and flowers – outdoors. Indoors, I fail miserably! I have watered, not waterd, misted and even might have whispered a few sweet nothings toward the dying green things to no avail. Every once in a while I get the courage to try again thinking maybe this time…Best wishes with your fickle fiddle leaf : )

    Reply
  13. sandyc

    Regarding confession, are you so sure you’re the one who needs to confess, Melissa? Are you certain that every fiddle leaf fig you’ve actually seen looking gorgeous and healthy is the same tree you saw a week or a month or a year before? Are you sure everyone who tells you they’ve had success with a fiddle leaf fig (tropical climates and Australia excepted) is telling you the truth and not just desperately wishing? Are you sure every picture you’ve seen of a fiddle leaf fig looking gorgeous and healthy is a picture of a live fiddle leaf fig? Designer/colorist Maria Killam recommends a fiddle leaf fig and comments that she’s seen some in interiors that were 2 stories high. She also says the fake trees are identical (www.mariakillam.com/do-you-need-a-tree-for-your-interior). Maybe retract your confession and redirect your search. I love this tree too but it may well be one of those plants that stubbornly resists humans messing with Mother Nature. Besides, with plant-loving kittycats, fantastic looking fakes are my safest way to go, and there’s definitely one on my list for the master.

    Reply
  14. janpartist

    I am a receptionist and have sat across from a FLF in the lobby of our building for at least 5 years now. Personally I find it sort of gangly and awkward but for those that love them, more power to ya. Anyway the thing is thriving. It has never been outdoors, never been misted and we have a very dry furnace here in the winter, never gets plant food, and gets watered once every two weeks. It is in the window but or building has an overhang so it get indirect light. That’s all I know, hope it helps.

    Reply
  15. janpartist

    Oh, and it probably drops 10 leaves a year which turn yellow and fall off.

    Reply
  16. Graham

    I used to kill Ficus plants every time until I decided I wanted one to die so I could hang my mini birdhouses from the branches. Need I say it thrived? I wonder if your plant might have aphids. Try looking on the underside of the leaves to see if you have tiny bugs.

    Reply
  17. Jill

    I have had mine {originally from Ikea} for almost 3 years – it is scrawny, drops leaves occasionally but it is growing and also gaining new leaves. I have it in a very light-filled corner of my living room and water it when I remember. I also put a couple of those Miracle Grow fertilizer sticks in the pot when I think about it. I think neglect is the key to these plants – they should be called a ‘Fickle’ leaf fig!
    xo~Jill

    Reply
  18. Laura @ Elegant Nest

    What a perfectly timed post Melissa! I have my own fiddle leaf fig tale/failure post scheduled for Monday…and the story is pretty much the same. All the leaves started to turn brown and fall off, one by one. I was planning to toss it…but now, after reading your tale, I may try and put it outside to see if it will make a comeback! I read that brown leaves like this is a case of overwatering…a big no, no for fiddles. On a side note…I also bought a braided trunk money tree…and it is thriving!

    Reply
  19. Diana C.

    Hi Melissa, below is a copy of fiddleleaf care instructions from my last post. I promise this has worked for me. I have followed these instructions since April 2013 and mine is thriving…in fact, so much so that I have had to tie some branches for support and have now started trimming back in order to keep its tree shape as it is growing out of control!! Be sure not to over water and use the fertilizer. With heater running a lot this winter (in Montana) the soil gets quite dry between waterings. When you water and see it seeping into the saucer, STOP! I suggest the Peter’s House Plant fertilizer. New leaves started popping out very quickly when I started using it. Good luck!! You can do it!! :) Did you repot?
    old post:
    So sorry you are having a problem with the Fig. I loved yours so much I was a copy cat and bought one for myself couple months ago. I work for a florist/green house so asked our experts about your problem. Fiddle Leafs like medium bright indirect light/not direct sun. Water thoroughly ONLYwhen top inch of soil is dry. Do NOT let plant stand in water in saucer. They also get very root bound and must be repotted if that is the case. Mine had coils of surface roots visible so I had it repotted before delivery. Over watering is the biggest problem. I add water slowly and when I see it draining into saucer…Stop! If you over do and get a saucerful, use a turkey baster to remove the excess. I have not done this yet but instructions are to fertilize every 4-6 weeks with Peter’s House Plant fertilizer thru growing season. (March-November) following instructions on package. I am in Montana and it is very dry here/low humidity so mine dries out pretty quickly. I water about weekly.

    Reply
  20. Lisa

    The life and times of the fiddle leaf fig. I have a brown thumb, but for some reason people keep giving me plants. Perhaps, there is something I need to learn.

    Reply
  21. KATHYSUE

    Melissa, I am no help in the plant area, in my home they either live or they don’t. I have found that watering just once a week keeps them alive and they all like a sunny corner. I only have three plants, but they are pretty much fail proof, or I wouldn’t have them. Good luck with Figgy!!
    Happy Friday,
    Kathysue

    Reply
  22. Jennifer

    I worked in a garden center for years, one tip i can give as i see someone has already posted care info for you is to fill you drip tray with small pebbles. The size of peas works best. Make sure you wash them first so you don’t bring any pest’s in with them. What this does is save the plant from sitting in water and also provides humidity that is needed by the fig family. They tend to get spider-mite if it’s dry in your house, a good way to prevent is to wipe off the leaves by hand occasionally,(both sides). I usually would use a soapy water solution, preferably an organic dish soap. Good luck with your fig. They are lovely plants!

    Jenn

    Reply
  23. joan

    Plants say “goodbye” to their relatives when they come to my house because they know they are going to die! I asked my family not to give me gifts of indoor plants of any sort. (see above). But now that I have retired from full time work I have more time to nurture outdoor plants. I have acepted my fate…. indoor plants still die under my care.

    Reply
  24. Karen

    This is a great story. I’m shocked as hell that your plant came back. I have never seen that happen with these fussy figs. Mine is about a year old…it always looks the same….never grows. I don’t know if it gets too much sun or too much water. It’s a mystery. Hope yours makes it til summer!

    Reply
  25. Joanne B.

    what a fun honest story! We’ve all been there- I have all silk in the house and a few limping houseplants out on the lanai and I live in Florida where sun is NOT a problem! I am always amazed at what a difference a little (regularly applied!) plant food does! You would think I would do it consistently, but I don’t. Maybe give the ole gal a slip of vitameatavegamin ( I Love Lucy/am I dating myself?) and perk her up a bit! Thanks for the reality check!

    Reply
  26. GumTreeGirl

    I bought two house plants, pretty tropical ones. The instructions said water every other day. I can do that I thought….and then I forgot about them……for two months. Then, in my desperation to rejuvenate them, I accidentally drowned them. I clearly did not inherit my parents green thumbs (sigh).

    Reply
  27. Linda

    Hi Melissa – I buggy my first fiddle leaf last summer and was over the moon! I love the look of them and read up on everything I could so that my plant would thrive and stay beautiful. I even named it – “Francesca.” Crazy I know. Alas, she began to turn brown and lose leaves much like yours and I couldn’t figure out what went wrong. After a few more weeks/months the leaves would fall off (at least 3-5 a day) and things didn’t look good for the fig. I visited a nursery after noticing a sticky substance on some of the leaves and the stem. The woman at the nursery told me the best thing to do with fiddle leaf figs is indirect light, watering only when very dry and applying a systemic every two months. This will keep the bugs away and the plant healthy and can be put right into the soil and then watered in. I bought a new plant that day -“Figaro!” – and have been following that plan. The plant is thriving and I have had it for 6 months now! I just love the look as I said and think they are so worth it! Try again and use a systemic. I even out it on my calendar soin don’t have to wonder when to apply it again. Good luck!!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Ha! I love that you named your plants. My mom named an indoor palm tree we had once. It’s name was Peter. Hah! Thanks for the tips, I’m going to try them!

      Reply
  28. Carie Means@PurposefulWandering

    Loved this post! I have a fairly green thumb, but only in my outdoor garden. As soon as a plant comes in my house, it’s pretty much doomed. I have no idea how to help your plant, but thanks for the great laugh!

    Reply
  29. Diane Campbell

    I can relate! This is a beautiful plant and it looks so good in a room, but I too had bad luck with one. They start out beautiful, but soon start browning of the leaves which later fall off. I’m contemplating a silk Fiddle leaf in the future!

    Reply
  30. Kathy @The Daily Nest

    Hey just FYI I did a post on the fiddle leaf fig the same day as you! Great minds think alike!! They are so beautiful!! Xo,Kathy

    Reply
  31. Kim

    Oh no! That’s so sad. I have 2 of these beauties and I’m very happy to report they’re thriving!! I’ve had one for 1 1/2 years and the other for about a year now. I got mine at Ikea and I can’t believe how much they’ve grown. I live in MA and keep mine in our dining room (south facing) so they get lots of light but not direct sun. We don’t keep that room heated in the winter and I’ve had to move mine to a north facing room for a week or two at a time because of the cold, but it hasn’t seemed to bother them. And I’ve always had a black thumb but since I started working from home 3 years ago, I decided to give plants another try. I do talk to my Figs and think it’s very important to wash the leaves to get the dust off and it helps them absorb the sunlight better. I make sure to keep them hydrated but not over watered. I’ve also given some liquid fertilizer. This is my pin on pinterest. I love my fiddle leaf fig so much that I even did this DIY for it at Christmas.

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/417216352950875987/

    Reply
  32. Emily

    I have the same problem with Boston Ferns. I have them on my porch all summer and attempt to bring them in once it gets cold only to kill them. It is good to know that I am not alone.

    Reply
  33. Traci

    I just adore this post! You had me rolling with laughter! I am glad I’m not the only one without a green thumb! I admire plants and flowers so much, but I just did not get a natural talent for keeping them alive. You inspired me to keep trying!

    Reply
  34. Christine

    Love the post =). I love terrariums and you barely ever have to water them, which makes them great for busy people.

    Reply
  35. Linda

    I think it is an urban myth that they thrive. I’ve tried several times. Didn’t even thrive on my screened porch when other plants did. Phooey on you, FLF.

    Reply
  36. Sherry@The Impatient Remodelers

    I have been wanting to get one. I just haven’t figured out where I will put it yet.
    I have my Oleander tree inside for the winter. It looked pretty sad at the start, but now it seems to be happy (until it can go back outside in May).

    Reply
  37. Liz

    Fiddle Leaf Figs are the death of me. I have babied mine, talked to them, taken them for daily walks in the sun, and nothing, absolutely nothing will convince them to grow in my house. My mother-in-law however, despite her black thumb, has abandoned one under the eave of her house and it is as happy as a clam.

    I give up. Perhaps its for the best as I’ve read they are toxic to dogs and we’re a dog loving household with three fur babies terrorizing anything they get their paws on! If you find a good silk FLF, please share!

    Reply
  38. Rose Padjen

    I am a professional interior Plantscaper in Sacramento California fiddle leaf fig botanical name Ficus Lyrata requires bright light and is a tropical plant it cannot be grown outside below 58 degrees Like the Ficus benjamina they do not like to be moved and do not like drafty areas they tend to drop their leaves. The best product I have found to used on them is a product by Bayer called three products in one rose and flower food liquid (do not buy grandular) it is a fertilizer fungicide and insecticide all in one follow directions on bottle I promise you your plant will look awesome

    Reply
    • Teresa

      Rose, the Bayer 3 in 1 bottle says not to use on plants in pots. Is it still ok for a fiddle leaf fig tree in a pot? If yes, do I use the instructions for an ornamental shrub or rose bush?

      Reply
  39. Sarah

    What a crazy story! I’ve had my FLF for exactly one year and it has done pretty well. I don’t fertilize, don’t mist, rarely rotate it, water thoroughly once per week. It did get some brown spots last winter but those faded. We have soft water so I’m going to try watering with distilled water as someone suggested. They can be fickle, indeed! Glad yours is not a complete goner.

    Reply
  40. Maggie

    Perhaps a fake one like Liz Marie.. Some are pretty real- looking.. Not into artificial plants, but again today some are very life-like..

    Reply
  41. Martin

    I have a Fiddle Fig Tree. It belonged to my girlfriend and it was almost dead. She gave me her orchid too. I took the Fiddle Tree and replanted it and gave it some fertilizer. Over a period of months all the dying leaves dropped off and up came new leaves. These new leaves are very large now and the tree is so full of these leaves the plant has become top heavy. I bought a stick from the hardware store and took some tying twine and kept the branches from drooping. The orchid also came back plus it has now flowered more than a few times over and over again.

    Reply
  42. Kate

    I too have killed 2 FIddle leaf figs. You are not alone ! I collect my third next week I love them so much I’m giving it another go.

    Reply
  43. Sddesh

    That’s a fun story and very relatable!☺️ I got a $3 fig from Home Depot which had just 2 leaves remaining. It looked overly neglected and dint think it would make it. But for this cheap it was a score. Brought it home, transferred into fresh soil, big pot and cleaned dust on its leaves. I water it once a week or once in two weeks and wipe its leaves once a few months. Other than that it does best with neglect. It sits near a east facing window and is happy with the light. Have grown a lot of leaves now. Happy it loves it’s spot! Just completing one year this summer…. Keeping finger crossed for next year!

    Reply
  44. 2nelise

    Updates on your Fig? As I can tell from the pictures, you kept it in a dark corner of your family room where it did not get the right light. You probably also overwatered it, because when it gets so little light it also requires much less watering and then overwatering is so easy to do. In your last picture it sits by the window and hopefully you still have it? I just purshased one 9 days ago. It looks very good so far and seems to be thriving but I am very nervous that I will kill it. I have also purshased a moisture meter as my black tumb cant always determine when it is time to water plants. Regards from Norway :-)

    Reply
  45. Kayla E

    I had the same exact issue with mine. They’re so temperamental!! I read they like tropic climate so I thought long and hard about the most tropic room in my house and to the bathroom it went. It wasn’t ideal because I wanted to look at her pretty leaves while drinking coffee in my living room, but green looks good anywhere. The fig started thriving!!!! Like it’s grown almost double it’s size in a year after my major fail that almost costs its life. It’s right in front of a sunny window and I like never water it. The steam from showers makes it so happy!!! Just a thought.

    Reply
  46. Vicki

    I bought a FLF for my daughter for Christmas 2 1/2 yrs ago. When they moved to the south they sold or got rid of everything. I took the FLF home with me although it looked doubtful it would live as the leaves had brown spots and were dropping off. I’ve had it a year and a half and it’s doing great. No special treatment. It sits near a west window inside during the winter and outside on my enclosed porch during the summer. I need to report her but afraid I’ll jinx my luck with her, lol

    Reply
  47. Nicola

    I have a fiddle leaf fig and have kept it alive for 2 years now. I have learnt quite a bit about the care of this plant.
    1. It doesn’t like being moved around. It like a shock to the system and leaves start turning brown.
    2. Water it on the same day every week. It likes consistency.
    3. Do not over water the plant. In cold regions water once per week. In warm regions(like mine in south africa) water twice per week.
    4. It likes lots of indirect sunlight for as many hours as possible.

    Hope this helps.

    Reply
  48. Louise

    Hi!
    The best tips I found for fiddle leaf figs have so far worked for mine. I live in the centre of Canada where it’s in the house all the time. It likes a bright location but not in direct sunlight. Water it the same amount at the same time once a week. I bought mine on the small side and it gets one cup of water every Sunday evening. I rotate the pot each time I put it back. Leave it in its pot until the roots basically start to break it open and then you can transplant it into a lot that is only about one inch larger. So far that’s what I’ve lived by and it’s in mint shape. I haven’t even given it any plant food ??‍♀️?.

    Reply
  49. Kristen

    I also had a Fig that I almost killed! They said don’t overwater it….I severely under-watered it. Had to move it from my freezing AC/fan flowing bedroom (they don’t like cold drafts). Put it in my covered porch (south facing, they love sun!) all summer and it exploded! Keep it in a sunny room (or mostly) all winter, water once a week thoroughly and it’s looking fantastic. Feed in the summer when it’s growing. Good luck!

    Reply
  50. Patrick

    Yes, I actually bought one that was on a dying shelf in a plant shop and they gave me a deal. I took it home and put it in my west facing bedroom window and made sure I controlled the temp and watered on the same day once a week. They like routine watering, some humidity (absolutely no drafty spots). It started around 3 feet high and in one grow season grew to be around 6 feet with the most beautiful leaves you have ever seen. It’s leaves shot upward. I bought the little fertilizing sticks and used a couple in the summer. If the leaves brown like your pic it needs more water, if they yellow, then you’re over watering. You want to choose a container and create a consistent amount you give it once a week. It will adjust to the routine.

    Reply
  51. Lily

    Drainage, drainage, drainage! I repotted mine with gravel at the bottom. Also the saucer could hardly hold any water, so it never really sat in it. Light and drainage is key, but more importantly drainage. I grew mine became a 12 foot monster!

    Reply
  52. Jan

    Yes mine is growing well. I’ve even made 3 babies from stem cuttings. Its huge now. BUT I live in a subtropical humid climate in Australia. Maybe you should move. Lol

    Reply
  53. leah

    I was gifted a dying fiddle leaf fig because the universe apparently decided to give me a second chance after quickly killing my first one last year. I was so nervous, but I’ve just been keeping it in indirect sunlight in the same spot in my living room, watering every Saturday and leaving it TF alone. To my surprise, I’ve gotten several new leaves. Unfortunately a few fell off or didn’t grow, so I decided to give it some plant food, since it’s growing season. Fingers crossed I don’t kill it. I’m so nervous lol

    Reply

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