Ficus Lyrata/Fiddle-Leaf Fig help

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

My husband gifted me this beautiful fiddle leaf fig a few days ago (my new year's resolution is to develop a green thumb). I'm worried it may have been purchased unhealthy. It has brown spots on the tops and bottoms of the leaves and also what looks like dried water spots (probably all it is but just want to make sure). Pictures attached.

Also, we have it near a southern-facing sliding glass door. Is that too much light? It seems our choices are either southern windows or dark northern windows--not any east/west windows to choose from. I should mention we live in Miami and while it's been uncharacteristically cold (in the 40s/50s), we get good sun and humidity year round. The house has been getting cold at night though--I know these guys like warmth so should i put the heat on for it?

Lastly, the pot it is in doesn't have a draining hole but we put a layer of rocks at the bottom. Should we add a hole?

Featured Answer

Elizabeth Neuman

8 years ago

Ficus lyrata are notorious for being difficult plants for a beginner/black thumb, but I think plants are not difficult as long as you give them what they need. That being said they enjoy lots of light so I'm thinking your placement is good. Doesn't look unhealthy to me, but keep an eye out for unexpected leaf loss. I can't tell what those brown spots are though, could be nothing. They also do not like to move around too much...so wherever you decide let it settle. My experience with drainage is always holes. I pot the plant in the black plastic pots like the ones from the nursery and set it inside the nice pot. This provides good drainage and you can easily move or repot the plant while still using the pretty pot. If you want to leave it in your current set up just make sure you don't overwater. Disclaimer: I am not an expert, but figured I would share the little I do know.

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Comments (9)

robin98
8 years ago
Yes, add a drainage hole - if you look through posts about watering these, you will read time and time again how important this is. What a nice gift!
Alexis thanked robin98
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Karen S. (7b, NYC)
8 years ago
Yes, drainage holes are an absolute must.

Unfortunately, rocks place at the bottom don't make better drainage & have been shown can actually make things worse.

Am quite surprised if a nursery sold this potted in a pot w/out a hole, or you switched it out of original pot.
Alexis thanked Karen S. (7b, NYC)
Dave
8 years ago
South facing window is good. So keep it there.

I’d get it out of that pot and back into its original growers pot for the time being until you get a feel for how to water correctly.

Plus, I bet it was potted up and not actually repotted.

repotting includes a full soil change, untangling of roots and possibly pruning.

potting up just adds a fresh layer of soil to the bottom and sides and places said plant in a larger pot.

potting up can do more harm than good in a rootbound plant.

Don’t want on a set schedule, water as the plant needs it.

Sharpen a wooden dowel and stick it in the soil all the way to the bottom (don’t worry about the roots, it will push them to the side and not damage).

Pull the dowel out and inspect.

If it’s dark, damp with soil stuck to it, don’t water.

Check every day or two in a different spot and water when it comes out nearly clean and dry.
Alexis thanked Dave
Alexis
Original Author
8 years ago
Dave(Vermont - z5a) we definitely just potted up during the transfer. Repotting sounds like something I may be too amateur for and I'm concerned I might stress or kill the plant by doing it incorrectly. I'll have to do some research--thanks so much for your wisdom.

I'll have to figure out how to add a drainage hole or to place a draining pot inside the ceramic one.
Dave
8 years ago
Repotting would be best closer to summer. You could put it back in its grower pot and just place that inside your new pot for the time being.
robin98
8 years ago
I like having plants in plastic pots inside more decorative pots. Means I can lift them out and take them to the shower where I can water thoroughly and drain thoroughly before putting back in the stylish pot. Best of both worlds!
Andrew
8 years ago
Ficus lyrata is not difficult to grow. Rather most people’s homes aren’t suited for a tropical humidity loving plant like this Ficus. I’ve had great success just leaving them outdoors in shade during the humid summers in the Midwest. They get direct morning and evening sun. They love it. The plants have sprouted 3-4 new leaves in under 2 weeks. During the winter I run the humidifier at 55-60%. Humidity is crucial. Maybe once or twice a day I’ll spray the plants with RO water too.
Andrew
8 years ago