Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
📖 About this plant
One of the most coveted statement houseplants, instantly recognizable by its enormous, violin-shaped leaves with prominent veining. Each glossy leaf can grow up to 45 cm long, creating a bold, sculptural presence. Native to West African rainforests, it thrives in bright, consistent, indirect light with protection from drafts and temperature fluctuations. Known for being finicky — it dislikes being moved and drops leaves in response to environmental changes.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Bright indirect
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate to high (40-65%)
18-27°C
Well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix with peat, perlite, and compost; slightly acidic pH preferred
High-nitrogen liquid fertilizer (3-1-2) diluted to half strength every 2 weeks during growing season
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- West Africa (Cameroon to Sierra Leone tropical lowland rainforests)
- 📏 Max height
- 150-300 cm indoors (can reach 12-15 m in natural habitat)
- 📐 Spread
- 60-150 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Rarely indoors
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Green, Yellow
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Mildly toxic to cats and dogs — sap contains ficin (proteolytic enzyme) that causes skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset, and excessive drooling if ingested; sap can also cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals
- 🌱 Propagation
- Stem tip cuttings or air layering; cuttings can be rooted in water or moist sphagnum moss
🛡️ Health & Safety
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs — sap contains ficin (proteolytic enzyme) that causes skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset, and excessive drooling if ingested; sap can also cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals
Common issues
- Brown spots from overwatering or leaf damage
- Root rot
- Spider mites
- Leaf drop from environmental changes
💡 Care tips
- Hates being moved once it finds a good spot
- Wipe leaves weekly with a damp cloth
- Rotate 90 degrees weekly for even growth
- Allow top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings
