The little-known trick to make your fiddle-leaf fig grow
With large, glossy leaves, the fiddle-leaf fig – aka Ficus lyrata – is an attractive houseplant that packs a punch.
A fiddle-leaf fig will add instant visual interest to your home, especially a living room corner, bedroom, or home office. Standing tall, with its leathery texture and prominent veins, this indoor plant is also loved by interior designers for its striking architectural shape.
3 things you didn't know about the fiddle-leaf fig
1. It has a nickname
Native to western Africa's tropical jungles, the fiddle-leaf fig is actually nicknamed the ‘strangler fig’ because it grows by wrapping its roots around other trees, eventually strangling them.
2. It's a very tall plant
Fiddle-leaf figs can grow up to 20m in the wild, but don’t worry, it won’t grow that large indoors, as it's fairly slow-growing and only needs occasional pruning. 'You can cut bits back and use those pieces to propagate,' adds Tony.
3. Shaking it is the secret to good growth
Fun fact: Shaking your fiddle-leaf gif can actually help it grow.
‘You may have seen the viral video of a fiddle-leaf fig being shaken and thought it was just something a bit silly, but there is science behind it,’ says plant expert Tony Le-Britton (@notanotherjungle). 'It's called thigmomorphogenesis and it’s a plant’s response to mechanical sensations.'
This essentially mimics wind and animal movements in the wild, stimulating the plant to grow stronger and send down deeper roots, which helps it to develop shorter, sturdier stems.
How to keep your fiddle-leaf fig happy
'Fiddle-leaf figs are not the easiest plants to care for,' admits Tony, 'but I think that little bit of extra effort is really worth it.' Read on for some expert care tips to ensure your houseplant thrives.
Light
Ficus lyrata will thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and can even tolerate some direct sun. Ideally, place yours near a south-facing window.
Watering
Ficus lyrata likes to retain some moisture around the roots, so check weekly and only water the plant when the top few centimetres of soil are dry. Importantly, though, avoid overwatering. To prevent root rot, when watering, remove the plant from its decorative pot and allow it to drain thoroughly before putting it back. If it sits soggy for too long, it will likely drop its leaves, and it'll do the same if it dries out completely.
Feeding
Feed year-round with a water-soluble feed to keep your plant healthy. 'As with most houseplants, I recommend fertilising every other watering,' Tony advises.
How to propagate
'Propagating your fiddle-leaf fig couldn't be easier,' says Tony. Cut a stem just below a node (the bump where roots will grow), remove the lower leaves (to help prevent any excess moisture loss), and cut the size of the remaining leaves by half.
Plant the cutting in well-draining soil and keep it in a humid, bright spot. Once the roots fill the pot, it’s time to repot into a slightly larger container. With a little attention, your fiddle-leaf fig will flourish.
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