This week on IG stories [HERE], I polled my pro plant people about the elusive fiddle leaf fig. And there were big feelings. You see, the ol’ fiddle is one of those plants that I’ve heard is better to just buy fake than try to care for the real deal as they are fickle, temperamental and can break your heart. But in the spirit of experiment, I bought one. Did I just waste a good chunk of cash on future heartbreak? Probably. But the enneagram 5 in me just wants to gather ALL THE KNOWLEDGE about a thing, so here I go with this potential doomed plant-spiriment. After rounding up hundreds of responses, here are the most mentioned fiddle leaf fig dos and don’ts from my my IG buddies!

DO:

1. Water only every 7-10 days as needed (maybe sooner, maybe later)
2. Let the soil dry out 2-3 inches down before watering
3. Rotate the tree 1/4 turn every two weeks or at each watering
4. Gently shake the trunk to mimic the wind and help it grow strong
5. Wipe dust off the leaves with a damp cloth
6. Place in bright but indirect light so leaves won’t burn
7. Fertilize the tree once a month with fiddle leaf fig fertilizer
8. Give it a shower on watering day and let drain in the bathtub

DON’T:

1. Don’t move to a new location (apparently don’t like change)
2. Don’t overwater – wait till leaves sag a bit and/or soil is dry 2-3 inches down
3. Don’t put in direct sunlight or the leaves might burn
4. Don’t place under or right near heat/air vents
5. Don’t let it sit in standing water – use pot with drainage hole and let fully drain on watering day

What say you, plant people?! Anything my followers forgot or that I missed from their responses? What is your experience with this potentially problematic tree? Hopefully these fiddle leaf fig dos and don’ts help you as much as they will help me as I forge ahead in my fiddle-y journey! Click [HERE] for how to find great houseplants online (and where I got some of my very favorites!), and [HERE] to see how to get rid of any gnats that may come with those little green lovelies!
🧡ERIN