Enough light for fiddle leaf?

6 years ago

Good Morning Everyone!

I’m in the process of redesigning my condo and I would love to get a fiddle leaf fig to add some structural green to my space. The room I would like to put him in has a west facing window (with a slatted wood pergola covering it) and a skylight. The room gets filtered bright light for most of the day, but since I want to put him in a corner want to make sure he will be happy and thrive before making the investment. Any advice would be well appreciated! I have attached some photos of the space (It is 8:30am and overcast right now).

I would ideally like to put him to the right of the couch, but can also put him to the left of the couch next to the wood table if that’s a better spot for him.

Sincerely,

Steph

Featured Answer

Dave

6 years ago

For it to be happy any thrive, it’s going to need a lot more light than that.

I think it will do ok at best there. Will probably drop a good amount of leaves and not put out much growth.

These are direct sun plants. The best thing you could do if you have one inside is place it in front of an unobstructed south facing window that gets direct sun most of the day.

What we see as bright is nothing to a plant.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
6 years ago
Agree with Dave. Put yourself in the place of plant and look around you and the source of light. If you do not need to squint then it is not enough light. Also remember cameras also will compensate for light - make something look brighter than it actually is.
Stephanie thanked tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
Related Professionals
Dover Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · McAllen Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Springfield Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Carbondale Landscape Contractors · Abilene Landscape Contractors · Fort Dodge Landscape Contractors · Lansing Landscape Contractors · Akron Landscape Contractors · Fort Collins Landscape Contractors · Honolulu Landscape Contractors · Dothan Interior Designers & Decorators · Fort Worth Interior Designers & Decorators · Manhattan Interior Designers & Decorators · Garden City Interior Designers & Decorators · Victoria Interior Designers & Decorators
Stephanie
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi guys,

That’s what I was afraid of. I’ll look into some other trees that don’t require direct sun. I appreciate the responses!

Best,

Stephanie
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hi, Stephanie. I agree with what advice the others offered, and I'll add that virtually any tree you might choose to grow indoors will want very bright light to really prosper.

Al
Stephanie
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Tapla,

How about placing them in a bedroom with an Eastern facing window that gets 4 hours of morning sunlight? After the morning sun it’s low- medium low light so not sure if that would be sufficient.

I also have two windows in my kitchen (west and north facing) that get a little direct sun later in the afternoon. Could something work in there?
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years ago
Depending on where you live, your best bet would be to grow the plant outdoors in full sun when temps are above 60-65*F, and indoors as required to prevent chill from taking its toll. If you do that, you can establish a pattern of regularly removing ALL the lanky winter growth in mid to late spring, and retaining all the tight/compact growth it will put on in summer. You might also want to consider one of the dwarf cultivars ('Bambino', 'Compacta', 'Suncoast'), which have smaller leaves and very tight internodes (short spaces between the leaves).

Al
kulrn
6 years ago
That dining room looks like a great spot!