How to Care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant (learn from my mistakes!)

Last fall, I purchased a Fiddle Leaf Fig from Home Depot. Our home needed some real plants but I was hesitant as my track record for keeping previous plants alive was dismal. But I’ve always loved how Fiddle Leaf Figs look, and seeing as they are a a popular choice for house plants, I figured how hard could it be? Little did I know that I had a lot to learn…

When I brought our plant home, I read somewhere that you should let it acclimatize to your house before repotting. So, being the instruction follower that I am, I did just that. I watered it once a week as instructed but after several weeks I was growing concerned as my plant was dropping leaves. It was also draining a lot of water. So, I purchased a moisture meter to assess the soil. It told me it was critically dry. So I watered it every other day. Still, my plant was looking terrible. My next step was to purchase Miracle Gro Indoor plant food. But despite using this and watering frequently, my plant was losing even more leaves! Ugh I was so frustrated. I seriously considered returning it at this point. 

But being the stubborn gal I am, I did a deep dive online about plants. And one article I found said you should take your plant out of the store supplied planter ASAP as they aren’t designed to keep water in. A huge light bulb turned on for me. So, the next day I purchased a planter, bought some fancy indoor plant soil from Canadian Tire and repotted my Fiddle Leaf Fig. I kept it near our front window for lots of natural light, but it also happened to be close to an air vent (which fiddle leaf’s hate by the way). But with regular watering about once a week, and natural light from the spring and summer months my plant started to look alive again. 

On Left: My Fiddle leaf on day 1; Middle & Right - fiddle leaf day 30 looking terrible!

Then, this past Christmas, I had to move my Fiddle Leaf to our dining room to accommodate the Christmas tree. We ended up preferring our plant in this corner and as it turns out, so does our Fiddle Leaf. It is absolutely thriving: growing new leaves even during these winter months. Its new spot happens to have natural light all day long and is further away from heat vents. We also have our girls talking to the plant and encouraging it to grow, which I swear has helped. 

I’ve learned so much about this fickle plant but I think we all understand each other so much better and it’s been fun watching it grow and flourish. 

In above picture: our much happier plant, growing new leaves and almost back to its original state

Here is a list of care tips I found helpful when caring for my Fiddle Leaf Fig: 

1. Bright, Indirect Light – Place near a sunny window but avoid direct sun, which can burn the leaves. I placed ours in a corner that gets light all day but filtered through the window and blinds if needed  

2. Water Wisely – Water once a week, letting the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering! Using a water meter is helpful with this, especially if you’re a novice like me! 

3. Drainage is Key – Use a pot with drainage holes and well-draining soil to prevent root rot. My pot has one drainage hole that has worked well! Make sure you have a liner or tray to collect the drainage, I forgot to empty mine and it spilled creating a water stain on our wood floor. 

4. Keep Humidity Up – Fiddle leaf figs love humidity! Mist the leaves, or use a humidifier. I’ve been told even putting it in the bathroom with the shower running is helpful! 

5. Stable Temperature – Keep in a warm spot (60-75°F) away from drafts, air vents, and heaters. 

6.  Dust the Leaves – Wipe leaves with a damp cloth regularly to keep them clean and help them absorb more light. I did this by buying a spray bottle from the dollar store, my kids like helping me with this. 

7.  Fertilize in Growing Season – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer. Skip in winter (plant is more dormant in the winter)

8.  Rotate for Even Growth – Turn your plant every few weeks so it grows evenly toward the light.

9. Repot When Necessary – If roots are outgrowing the pot, repot every 1-2 years with fresh soil.

10. Be Patient! – Fiddle leaf figs grow slowly but thrive with consistent care.