Fiddle leaf figs are quickly expanding trees that can easily grow to heights of 60 feet in the open air and typically reach 10 feet or less indoors. However, a fiddle might become much taller in a room with lots of light and high ceilings, like an atrium or tall sunroom.
Remember that there are also miniature fiddle leaf figs available, including bambinos and dwarf varieties. These trees might only grow to be 3-5 feet tall. Here’s how to distinguish between a standard fiddle and a dwarf variety when purchasing a plant from a garden center.
Table of Contents
Fiddle Leaf Figs In The Wild
Natural Conditions
Fiddles flourish in semi- and tropical climates. They can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11 and are indigenous to the tropical rainforests of West Africa. They prefer abundant, direct sunlight as well as consistently moist (but not soggy) soil.
How Do Tall Will Wild Fiddle Leaf Figs Grow?
With a dense canopy made up of tens of thousands of large leaves, wild fiddle leaf figs can easily reach heights of 60 feet. The year-round average temperature for a fiddle in its natural environment is 65–85 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime lows and daytime highs. The ideal humidity for fiddles is around 70%, though they can tolerate levels as low as 40% indoors.
How Quickly Does A Fiddle Leaf Fig Grow?
Fiddle Leaf Figs expand rapidly. These lovely house plants have a two to the three-foot annual growth rate in the ideal environment. Rotate them so that each side receives an equal amount of sunlight over time if you want them to maintain a consistent consistency and fullness as they grow. Consider carrying out this task periodically.
How Can I Get My Fiddle Leaf Fig to Grow Taller?
The best way to cultivate a tall, strong fiddle is to mimic its environment as closely as you can. This entails simulating the lighting, moisture, temperature, and humidity that your fiddle would experience in West African rainforests.
Fortunately, it won’t be too challenging. With the right care and perhaps a few essential supplies, you can grow a tall, gorgeous fiddle indoors.
Position
The location of your tree is one of the most crucial factors in cultivating a robust, quickly growing fiddle. After all, this will determine the lighting, climate, and humidity of your tree—all of which are extremely important to the health and growth potential of a fiddle.
If at all possible, choose a spot for your fiddle that will be comfortable for it. If necessary, make a few adjustments to the area’s lighting, temperature, or humidity to make it more comfortable. Fiddles also dislike being moved, so try to avoid doing so.
Temperature And Humidity
Remember, you’re trying to grow a tropical tree here; therefore, the more accurately you can mimic the temperature and humidity conditions you’d find in the rainforest, the happier your tree will be.
If the temperature falls below 60 degrees, your tree may freeze. Maintain temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
70% humidity may not be achievable indoors, but your fiddle will be thrilled with humidity levels around 40-50%.
You might want to install a humidifier close to your tree if you live in a dry area or frequently use indoor climate control to increase the ambient humidity. You could also put smaller fiddles on a pebble tray. Plants will, through their respiration, slightly increase the humidity level, so grouping them together can also be beneficial. If you have enough space and light, kitchens and bathrooms are excellent locations for plants because they can have humidity levels that are higher than the rest of the house.
Keep your fiddle away from drafts, heaters, and vents as well, as they may scorch, freeze, or dry out the leaves.
Light
A tall fiddle leaf fig may only require one factor to grow, and that is light. Sunlight is a source of energy for plants, and growing requires a lot of energy!
Fiddles typically spend their entire day in the sun in the wild. It is possible to train indoor fiddles to tolerate full sun, and they usually do well in that environment. However, you must be careful not to burn the leaves while doing this.
Otherwise, indoor fiddles typically thrive in areas with lots of direct sunlight for at least eight hours each day.
This suggests that the best location for your fiddle may be an east-facing window since it may receive some soft, direct sunlight before 10 a.m. and lots of indirect light for the rest of the day.
In particular, if your fiddle can tolerate direct sunlight, a west or south-facing window can also work really well.
If your fiddle isn’t used to being in the sun and you want to put it near a window that faces south or west, be sure to place it far enough away from the window so that the sun won’t shine directly on the leaves in the middle of the day or in the late afternoon.
A north-facing window may be effective at certain times of the year and if the window is large enough, but the majority of north-facing windows won’t offer enough sunlight for your fiddle’s best health and rapid growth.
But don’t worry—you still have choices! Full-spectrum grows lights can be used as a backup source of light if you can’t provide enough natural sunlight. We adore these grow bulbs that are simple to screw into conventional light fixtures. So convenient!
Soil
Your watering efforts will be significantly impacted by the soil you choose.
Fiddles need fast-draining soil because they don’t tolerate “wet feet” well and can easily develop root rot. However, soil that dries out too quickly is not what you want.
For the ideal level of moisture retention, pick a light, quick-draining soil that contains some hummus.
Although cactus soil can be useful for fiddles, we strongly suggest our Premium Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil. With just the right amount of moisture retention for fiddles, this airy, chunky potting mix drains beautifully. The neutral pH of this soil ensures that your fiddle will be able to absorb those nutrients as well. This soil is also a nutritional powerhouse to give your fiddle a boost of vitamins and minerals from day one.
Fertilizing
Since growth needs nutrients, fertilize your fiddle frequently beginning about two months after you pot it.
Choose a fertilizer high in nitrogen, preferably one with an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2. Because it’s simpler to manage how much your plant actually receives, we prefer liquid fertilizers to slow-release sticks or pellets.
In fact, Fiddle Leaf Fig Food was developed especially for fiddles with an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2. You don’t need to keep track of a fertilization schedule because this fertilizer is simple to use and gentle enough to use with each watering. Remember, the fertilizer you use is the best one! When your fiddle is most likely to be actively growing—spring, summer, and early fall—fertilize with every watering. In the winter, when your fiddle may be in dormancy, you can take a break.
Watering
Even soil moisture, but not soaking wetness, is ideal for fiddle leaf figs.
According to this, you should water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. You can use a wooden stick, such as a chopstick, or your finger to verify this.
However, we prefer to use a moisture meter to test the soil because it can give you a much better idea of what’s happening deeper inside the pot. This is important because, even if the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch, if your soil is poorly aerated, the root ball may still be wet. Your fiddle is ready for a drink when the moisture meter shows numbers between 3 and 4!
This indicates that you need to water your plant every 7 to 14 days. You might need to water more thoroughly if your soil dries out sooner than that. Your fiddle might require more light or better-draining soil if the soil remains wet for an extended period of time.
Pot Size And Repotting
Make sure to select a pot that is 2-3 inches bigger than your fiddle’s root ball because your roots need space to expand in order for your fiddle to grow taller. While a pot this size won’t be able to hold on to more water than your roots can absorb, it will give your roots some room to spread out and expand, supporting the growth of your fiddle.
Be sure to increase the pot size when you repot your fiddle leaf fig each year. In addition to reviving the soil for maximum nutrients and aeration, this will permit the tree to continue growing.
Pruning And Shaping
Pruning your fiddle leaf fig can have a variety of benefits. One benefit is that by getting rid of diseased, damaged, or dead material, your tree can focus its energy on new growth, which will improve its health.
You can shape your tree however you like with the aid of pruning. You’ve probably noticed the recognizable lollipop shape in all of the Instagram pictures. The lower leaves must be carefully pruned in order to achieve that shape, and branching-inducing notches must be made.
How Can You Spot A Healthy Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Nobody enjoys having a sick house plant. How can you make sure your fiddle leaf fig is in the best possible health? It’s probably fine if it’s green and growing and you’re taking all the necessary basic care measures. Here are some things to keep an eye out for.
- If the edges of the leaves on your fiddle leaf fig are turning brown, curling inward, or falling off, you may have overwatered it. If so, there’s a good chance you’ve been giving it too much water.
- Additionally, to overwatering, root rot occurs. When leaves start to fall and you notice brown spots, root rot may be the cause. If this is the case, let your plant dry out and remove any diseased foliage and roots.
- Underwatering is challenging because its symptoms are similar to those of overwatering. But there’s your hint if you feel the ground and it’s completely dry.
- Yellowing leaves can be caused by a lack of sunlight. Move it to a more sunny location if you notice this, or buy it a grow light.
- Changes in temperature can also be indicated by leaf fall. A drafty area should not be where your fiddle leaf fig tree is located.
Common Problems That Prevent Healthy Growth
On your quest to make your fiddle taller, you might encounter difficulties. Here are some warning signs and what to do if you see them.
Leaf Drop
Dropping leaves may indicate that your fiddle is not happy with its surroundings.
Inspect the soil to make sure it isn’t too wet or dry and that your tree is receiving enough light. Examining the leaves for insects is also a good idea, particularly if you notice any tiny brown or red spots there.
However, if your tree merely occasionally loses a lower leaf, this could be a sign of a healthy, normal shedding of older leaves that your tree no longer requires.
Dark Patches Or Spots On Leaves
Dark spots on leaves typically signify excessive watering or occasionally bacterial infection.
The good news is that these conditions can be difficult to distinguish between, but they can both be treated the same way.
Carefully remove the diseased leaves using clean hands and sterile tools. Make sure the tree has plenty of light, and use less water. Use our Root Supplement when you water to prevent further infection. If the spots are severe, reporter the tree into a fresh container with new, quick-draining soil, being careful to prune off any visible rotting roots.
After that, place the tree in a bright area, allow the ground to dry out a bit more between waterings, and water with Root Supplement.
Brown Leaf Tips
Browning leaf tips can indicate a watering issue or a need for more humidity in your plant.
Your plant may be overwatered or even have root rot if the spots on its leaves are dark brown, soft, and mostly found on the lower leaves.
If the spots are light brown and crispy, there may not be enough humidity or underwatering.
Yellow Leaves On Fiddle Leaf Fig
Overwatering, inadequate sunlight, or nutrient deficiency can all cause the leaves on your fiddle to turn yellow.
The elimination process is the most effective way to find the cause. Start by determining the soil’s moisture content. If it continues to rain after you have watered, your soil may not drain properly, or your tree may require more light to use water more effectively. Yes, inadequate lighting and excessive watering frequently coexist.
Consider moving your plant or using a grow light if the lighting doesn’t seem quite bright enough.
Ask yourself when you last fertilized or repotted if light and water don’t seem to be the issue. Fertilizing might be necessary if it has been a while.
Pests
By destroying the leaves that a tree needs to produce energy from sunlight, insects can also prevent the growth of your fiddle.
Household pests like mealybugs, scale, fungus gnats, and spider mites can cause damage to fiddles. In general, you can use a hose or kitchen sprayer to rinse away insects. Then, you can treat the plant with insecticidal soap, diluted neem oil, or both to get rid of any remaining insects and stop them from returning.
How Tall Do Fiddle Leaf Figs Grow?
Fiddle leaf figs are quickly expanding trees that can easily grow to heights of 60 feet in the open air and typically reach 10 feet or less indoors. However, a fiddle might become much taller in a room with lots of light and high ceilings, like an atrium or tall sunroom.
Remember that there are also miniature fiddle leaf figs available, including bambinos and dwarf varieties. These trees might only grow to be 3-5 feet tall. Here’s how to distinguish between a standard fiddle and a dwarf variety when purchasing a plant from a garden center.
Fiddle Leaf Figs In The Wild
Natural Conditions
Fiddles flourish in semi- and tropical climates. They can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11 and are indigenous to the tropical rainforests of West Africa. They prefer abundant, direct sunlight as well as consistently moist soil.
How Do Tall Will Wild Fiddle Leaf Figs Grow?
With a dense canopy made up of tens of thousands of large leaves, wild fiddle leaf figs can easily reach heights of 60 feet. The year-round average temperature for a fiddle in its natural environment is 65–85 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime lows and daytime highs. The ideal humidity for fiddles is around 70%, though they can tolerate levels as low as 40% indoors.
How Quickly Does A Fiddle Leaf Fig Grow?
Fiddle Leaf Figs expand rapidly. These lovely house plants have a two to the three-foot annual growth rate in the ideal environment. Rotate them so that each side receives an equal amount of sunlight over time if you want them to maintain a consistent consistency and fullness as they grow. Consider carrying out this task periodically.
How Can I Get My Fiddle Leaf Fig to Grow Taller?
The best way to cultivate a tall, strong fiddle is to mimic its environment as closely as you can. This entails simulating the lighting, moisture, temperature, and humidity that your fiddle would experience in West African rainforests.
Fortunately, it won’t be too challenging. With the right care and perhaps a few essential supplies, you can grow a tall, gorgeous fiddle indoors.
Position
The location of your tree is one of the most crucial factors in cultivating a robust, quickly growing fiddle. After all, this will determine the lighting, climate, and humidity of your tree—all of which are extremely important to the health and growth potential of a fiddle.
If at all possible, choose a spot for your fiddle that will be comfortable for it. If necessary, make a few adjustments to the area’s lighting, temperature, or humidity to make it more comfortable. Fiddles also dislike being moved, so try to avoid doing so.
Temperature And Humidity
Remember, you’re trying to grow a tropical tree here; therefore, the more accurately you can mimic the temperature and humidity conditions you’d find in the rainforest, the happier your tree will be.
If the temperature falls below 60 degrees, your tree may freeze. Maintain temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
70% humidity may not be achievable indoors, but your fiddle will be thrilled with humidity levels around 40-50%.
You might want to install a humidifier close to your tree if you live in a dry area or frequently use indoor climate control to increase the ambient humidity. You could also put smaller fiddles on a pebble tray. Plants will, through their respiration, slightly increase the humidity level, so grouping them together can also be beneficial. If you have enough space and light, kitchens and bathrooms are excellent locations for plants because they can have humidity levels that are higher than the rest of the house.
Keep your fiddle away from drafts, heaters, and vents as well, as they may scorch, freeze, or dry out the leaves.
Light
A tall fiddle leaf fig may only require one factor to grow, and that is light. Sunlight is a source of energy for plants, and growing requires a lot of energy!
Fiddles typically spend their entire day in the sun in the wild. It is possible to train indoor fiddles to tolerate full sun, and they usually do well in that environment. However, you must be careful not to burn the leaves while doing this.
Otherwise, indoor fiddles typically thrive in areas with lots of direct sunlight for at least eight hours each day.
This suggests that the best location for your fiddle may be an east-facing window since it may receive some soft, direct sunlight before 10 a.m. and lots of indirect light for the rest of the day.
In particular, if your fiddle can tolerate direct sunlight, a west or south-facing window can also work really well. (Another excellent reason to get your fiddle used to direct sunlight is that it greatly expands your placement options!)
If your fiddle isn’t used to being in the sun and you want to put it near a window that faces south or west, be sure to place it far enough away from the window so that the sun won’t shine directly on the leaves in the middle of the day or in the late afternoon.
A north-facing window may be effective at certain times of the year and if the window is large enough, but the majority of north-facing windows won’t offer enough sunlight for your fiddle’s best health and rapid growth.
But don’t worry—you still have choices! Full-spectrum grows lights can be used as a backup source of light if you can’t provide enough natural sunlight. We adore these grow bulbs that are simple to screw into conventional light fixtures. So convenient!
Soil
Your watering efforts will be significantly impacted by the soil you choose.
Fiddles need fast-draining soil because they don’t tolerate “wet feet” well and can easily develop root rot. However, soil that dries out too quickly is not what you want.
For the ideal level of moisture retention, pick a light, quick-draining soil that contains some hummus.
Although cactus soil can be useful for fiddles, we strongly suggest our Premium Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil. With just the right amount of moisture retention for fiddles, this airy, chunky potting mix drains beautifully. The neutral pH of this soil ensures that your fiddle will be able to absorb those nutrients as well. This soil is also a nutritional powerhouse to give your fiddle a boost of vitamins and minerals from day one.
Fertilizing
Since growth needs nutrients, fertilize your fiddle frequently beginning about two months after you pot it.
Choose a fertilizer high in nitrogen, preferably one with an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2. Because it’s simpler to manage how much your plant actually receives, we prefer liquid fertilizers to slow-release sticks or pellets.
In fact, Fiddle Leaf Fig Food was developed especially for fiddles with an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2. You don’t need to keep track of a fertilization schedule because this fertilizer is simple to use and gentle enough to use with each watering. Remember, the fertilizer you use is the best one! When your fiddle is most likely to be actively growing—spring, summer, and early fall—fertilize with every watering. In the winter, when your fiddle may be in dormancy, you can take a break.
Watering
Even soil moisture, but not soaking wetness, is ideal for fiddle leaf figs.
According to this, you should water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. You can use a wooden stick, such as a chopstick, or your finger to verify this.
However, we prefer to use a moisture meter to test the soil because it can give you a much better idea of what’s happening deeper inside the pot. This is important because, even if the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch, if your soil is poorly aerated, the root ball may still be wet. Your fiddle is ready for a drink when the moisture meter shows numbers between 3 and 4!
This indicates that you need to water your plant every 7 to 14 days. You might need to water more thoroughly if your soil dries out sooner than that. Your fiddle might require more light or better-draining soil if the soil remains wet for an extended period of time.
Pot Size And Repotting
Make sure to select a pot that is 2-3 inches bigger than your fiddle’s root ball because your roots need space to expand in order for your fiddle to grow taller. While a pot this size won’t be able to hold on to more water than your roots can absorb, it will give your roots some room to spread out and expand, supporting the growth of your fiddle.
Be sure to increase the pot size when you repot your fiddle leaf fig each year. In addition to reviving the soil for maximum nutrients and aeration, this will permit the tree to continue growing.
Pruning And Shaping
Pruning your fiddle leaf fig can have a variety of benefits. One benefit is that by getting rid of diseased, damaged, or dead material, your tree can focus its energy on new growth, which will improve its health.
You can shape your tree however you like with the aid of pruning. You’ve probably noticed the recognizable lollipop shape in all of the Instagram pictures. The lower leaves must be carefully pruned in order to achieve that shape, and branching-inducing notches must be made.
How Can You Spot A Healthy Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Nobody enjoys having a sick house plant. How can you make sure your fiddle leaf fig is in the best possible health? It’s probably fine if it’s green and growing and you’re taking all the necessary basic care measures. Here are some things to keep an eye out for.
- If the edges of the leaves on your fiddle leaf fig are turning brown, curling inward, or falling off, you may have overwatered it. If so, there’s a good chance you’ve been giving it too much water.
- Additionally, to overwatering, root rot occurs. When leaves start to fall and you notice brown spots, root rot may be the cause. If this is the case, let your plant dry out and remove any diseased foliage and roots.
- Underwatering is challenging because its symptoms are similar to those of overwatering. But there’s your hint if you feel the ground and it’s completely dry.
- Yellowing leaves can be caused by a lack of sunlight. Move it to a more sunny location if you notice this, or buy it a grow light.
- Changes in temperature can also be indicated by leaf fall. A drafty area should not be where your fiddle leaf fig tree is located.
Common Problems That Prevent Healthy Growth
On your quest to make your fiddle taller, you might encounter difficulties. Here are some warning signs and what to do if you see them.
Leaf Drop
Dropping leaves may indicate that your fiddle is not happy with its surroundings.
Inspect the soil to make sure it isn’t too wet or dry and that your tree is receiving enough light. Examining the leaves for insects is also a good idea, particularly if you notice any tiny brown or red spots there.
However, if your tree merely occasionally loses a lower leaf, this could be a sign of a healthy, normal shedding of older leaves that your tree no longer requires.
Dark Patches Or Spots On Leaves
Dark spots on leaves typically signify excessive watering or occasionally bacterial infection.
The good news is that these conditions can be difficult to distinguish between, but they can both be treated the same way.
Carefully remove the diseased leaves using clean hands and sterile tools. Make sure the tree has plenty of light, and use less water. Use our Root Supplement when you water to prevent further infection. If the spots are severe, report the tree into a fresh container with new, quick-draining soil, being careful to prune off any visible rotting roots.
After that, place the tree in a bright area, allow the ground to dry out a bit more between waterings, and water with Root Supplement.
Brown Leaf Tips
Browning leaf tips can indicate a watering issue or a need for more humidity in your plant.
Your plant may be overwatered or even have root rot if the spots on its leaves are dark brown, soft, and mostly found on the lower leaves.
If the spots are light brown and crispy, there may not be enough humidity or underwatering.
Yellow Leaves On Fiddle Leaf Fig
Overwatering, inadequate sunlight, or nutrient deficiency can all cause the leaves on your fiddle to turn yellow.
The elimination process is the most effective way to find the cause. Start by determining the soil’s moisture content. If it continues to rain after you have watered, your soil may not drain properly, or your tree may require more light to use water more effectively. Yes, inadequate lighting and excessive watering frequently coexist.
Consider moving your plant or using a grow light if the lighting doesn’t seem quite bright enough.
Ask yourself when you last fertilized or repotted if light and water don’t seem to be the issue. Fertilizing might be necessary if it has been a while.
Pests
By destroying the leaves that a tree needs to produce energy from sunlight, insects can also prevent the growth of your fiddle.
Household pests like mealybugs, scale, fungus gnats, and spider mites can cause damage to fiddles. In general, you can use a hose or kitchen sprayer to rinse away insects. Then, you can treat the plant with insecticidal soap, diluted neem oil, or both to get rid of any remaining insects and stop them from returning.