In order to save your fiddle leaf fig in the winter, you should take certain steps to ensure your beloved plant thrives through the cold season.
First, move your plant to a cooler and brighter spot in the house, ideally one that doesn’t receive direct sunlight. Fiddle leaf figs prefer bright indirect light but they can be damaged by direct sunlight, and cold temperatures.
Place your plant in an area that stays warm and ideally has a temperature of 55-65°F (13-18°C).
You should also cut back on watering during the winter months, as this plant does best when it dries out between waterings. Even though it likes water, overwatering and waterlogging will do more harm than good, so stick to a watering schedule that works for your particular home’s environment.
Finally, make sure you mist your plant occasionally since fiddle leaf figs love humidity. Place your plant close to a humidifier or mist it every 1-2 weeks to make sure it stays hydrated.
By following these steps and using the appropriate care, you can save your fiddle leaf fig in the winter and ensure it survives to see the spring!
When should I put fiddle leaf fig outside?
When deciding to move your fiddle leaf fig outside, the most important thing to consider is the temperature outside compared to indoors. Fiddle leaf figs like warm and humid environments and won’t do well in temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit for long periods of time.
Ideally, you should only begin to introduce your fiddle leaf fig to outside temperatures when the temperature has consistently been above 60 degrees for a few days in a row. In the fall and winter, you should definitely keep your fiddle leaf fig inside.
Additionally, you should be sure to gradually acclimate your fiddle leaf fig to sun exposure by starting it in a shadier spot and then slowly moving it out to longer periods of direct sunlight. A fiddle leaf fig can actually burn if it is suddenly exposed to a high level of sunlight after living indoors, so it is important to be careful as you make the transition.
Additionally, always keep in mind that the outdoor climate where you live may also be too variable and unpredictable to trust anytime of the year with a fiddle leaf fig.
What is the lowest temperature a fiddle leaf fig can handle?
Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus Lyrata) are tropical plants and therefore they prefer warm temperatures and cannot tolerate temperatures below 55F (13C). Experienced gardeners suggest avoiding temperatures that drop significantly below this, as frost can cause damage to the leaves and stems.
It is also important to note that sudden changes in temperature can also be damaging to a fiddle leaf fig, as it is sensitive to fluctuations. When in doubt, it is best to keep your fiddle leaf fig in a location that has an average temperature between 65F-80F (18C-26C).
How do you care for an indoor fig tree in the winter?
Caring for an indoor fig tree in the winter is quite simple. The main thing you need to do is reduce the amount of water it receives. While the plant will usually like plenty of bright sun, indirect light is better to reduce the amount of stress it receives.
For water, you should wait until the soil dries out before watering, usually no more than once every one to two weeks. Indoors, temperatures should stay above 45 °F, preferably above 50 °F to avoid slowing growth during the winter.
Another important element to consider is fertilizer. During the winter, it is best to skip feeding your fig. Since the plant will be dormant and reduce its growth, there won’t be much need for added nutrients.
If you notice that the soil where your fig is planted becomes very dry, you can add a very diluted solution of liquid fertilizer every few weeks.
Finally, to supplement the fertilizer and help with soil drainage, you can add some compost or well-rotted manure to the soil. This can be done every two months between late autumn and early spring. After this, the fig tree will be ready for the upcoming spring season, and you should start to increase its water and light in full capacity.
What happens if you cut the top off a fiddle leaf fig?
If you want to prune the top off of a Fiddle Leaf Fig, it can be done with some caution. Be sure to use a sterilized scissor or sharp cutting tool and prune only the top two or three sets of leaves that are overcrowding the shape of the tree.
Cutting off too much can severely weaken the Fiddle Leaf Fig, and eventually cause the plant to die. It’s important to prune in such a way that the remaining growth will still be aesthetically pleasing and still go beyond the height and width of the pot.
Also, be sure to water the soil enough and add some fertilizer, as the Fiddle Leaf Fig may need a bit more attention when pruning. In the months after pruning, the Fiddle Leaf Fig may not look as full and lush as prior, but with proper care, it should flourish again and continue to thrive.
How do you keep a fig tree alive indoors?
To keep a fig tree alive indoors, it is important to provide it with bright, indirect light and regular watering. Place the fig tree near a bright, south-facing window where it can receive at least six to eight hours of light each day.
As for the watering, wait for the top inch of soil to dry out before you water – otherwise you will risk overwatering. It is also important to keep the temperature consistent – temperatures that drop below 55°F (13°C) can cause the tree to become stressed.
Additionally, provide the tree with regular doses of liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season. Finally, when the fruits appear, remove them from the tree as soon as possible to avoid creating a lot of stress on the plant.
Do indoor fig trees lose their leaves in the fall?
No, indoor fig trees usually do not lose their leaves in the fall. While outdoor fig trees experience deciduous behavior and will typically drop their leaves in the fall and then regrow them in the spring, indoor fig trees usually remain evergreen.
Keeping the tree indoors and away from the winter elements make it less likely to experience the seasonal shedding. To determine if the tree is in fact evergreen, you can inspect it for signs of leaf loss.
If healthy, the tree should remain with its leaves all year round and may even produce fruit indoors.
What temperature is too cold for fiddle leaf fig?
Fiddle Leaf Figs can be sensitive to cold temperatures and do best when kept in temperatures of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature below 55 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for a Fiddle Leaf Fig, as temperatures this low can cause the plant to become stunted and compromised, resulting in leaf drop and other problems.
Even temperatures just a few degrees below optimal can cause damage, so unless your home is heated to at least 65 degrees year-round, it’s best to avoid setting the plant up near drafty windows or other sources of cold air.
It’s important to remember that the actual temperature where the plant is sitting might be a few degrees cooler than the room temperature, so precautions should be taken in areas where the temperature is close to the danger zone.
Additional measures, such as humidifiers and ventilation, can also help ensure that your Fiddle Leaf Fig remains happy and healthy.
When can I put my fig tree outside?
Typically, you can put your fig tree outside after the last average frost date for your region has passed. Start by hardening off your fig tree in the early spring, about 3-4 weeks before the last frost date.
This process should start with setting the tree outside for one hour each day, slowly increasing the amount of time it is outside each day until it is staying outdoors for 10-12 hours at a time. After the last frost date, you can transplant your fig tree into a permanently sunny location outside.
With plenty of sunlight and frequent deep watering, your fig tree should take off and thrive in its new home!.
Can fiddle leaf fig take full sun?
No, fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) do not do well in full sun, as they require partial shade to thrive. Full sun is too intense for the delicate foliage of a fiddle leaf fig and will quickly damage the leaves, causing them to sunburn and become dry, brittle and fall off the tree.
If you have a fiddle leaf fig that is positioned in full sun, it is best to move it to a spot where it will get partial shade, such as near a partially shaded window or in an area where it will receive less than 4-5 hours of direct sunlight per day.
To maximize growth, these plants should be placed in an area that receives bright, filtered light, and it’s important to avoid excessive direct sun and drafts.
How much sun does a fiddle leaf fig need?
Fiddle leaf figs need bright, indirect sunlight year-round to thrive. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can burn the delicate leaves. Place the pot in an east-facing window, or someplace that receives several hours of indirect sunlight each day.
Keep in mind that shade cloth or blinds often reduce the amount of sunlight coming in significantly, so be sure to adjust as needed. For best results, give your fiddle leaf fig at least six hours of bright, indirect light per day.
Avoid putting your fiddle leaf fig in temperatures lower than 55°F, as this will significantly reduce its growth rate.
Should you remove brown leaves from fiddle leaf fig?
Yes, you should remove brown leaves from your fiddle leaf fig. Brown leaves are usually a sign of stress for a fiddle leaf fig, which may be caused by too much or too little water, over or under-fertilizing, or an unintended fluctuation in temperature or light exposure.
To ensure the health of your fiddle leaf fig, you should quickly identify and remove any brown leaves. You can do this by gently twisting and pulling each leaf off the stem, making sure to never yank or pull the stem.
If you notice any pests, you should use a natural insecticide to treat your plant. Once you have removed the leaves, give your fiddle leaf fig some TLC and make sure it is receiving the ideal amount of water, light, and fertilizer.
How can you tell if a fiddle leaf fig is healthy?
One of the best ways to tell if a fiddle leaf fig is healthy is to check for signs of new growth such as new branches and new leaves. If the plant is blooming, the flowers will also be a good indicator of health.
Additionally, if the plant’s leaves are consistently a rich, dark green color and the bark is thick, then it is likely a healthy fiddle leaf fig. A fiddle leaf fig’s soil should also be analyzed to detect if the plant has received proper moisture, since an overly dry or overly wet soil can indicate that the plant isn’t healthy.
Finally, the presence of insects and pests can also be an indicator of health. If a fiddle leaf fig has pests, then it is likely unhealthy due to a lack of proper care.