How often to water fiddle leaf fig? Fiddle leaf figs require how much water? What is the best way to water a fiddle plant?
Many fiddle leaf fig plant lovers have these burning questions.
If you love fiddle leaf figs, then you might be aware of how fussy they can be. Yet, there’s no denying their large leaves make them a perfect houseplant.
But do you have trouble maintaining the beauty of your fiddle leaf fig? If so, don’t worry.
The best way to maintain the gorgeous look of your fiddle leaf figs is to water them properly. That’s the secret to growing healthy and beautiful fiddle leaf figs.
If you don’t know fiddle leaf fig water requirements, then you are at the right place. In this article, I will explain in detail how to water fiddle leaf figs. After reading this article, you will have all your questions answered.
Having said that, let’s get started
When to Water Fiddle Leaf Fig
The important thing to note here is your fiddle leaf fig dislikes sitting in wet soil. Moreover, they are not drought-resistant plants. So, this means you should water your fiddle leaf fig when the soil is dry to touch.
The top 2 inches of dry soil are a good indication that your fiddle needs water. To check the soil moisture, you can gently poke near the base of the plant.
How much to water fiddle leaf fig
Every Fiddle Leaf Fig needs its own amount of water each week based on its environment.
Figs like bright, sunny areas. So if you place your fiddle in an area with a lot of indirect light, it will need more water. Also, make sure to increase the amount of water, not the frequency.
When your fiddle is in a dry spot, you need to increase watering both in quantity and frequency. Furthermore, if the weather is hot and dry, and the plant is getting direct sunlight, you may need to water it twice a week.
Cold and dark environments will require less water. In order not to overwater plants, you should water them carefully.
Basically, how much water your fiddle leaf fig needs depends on:
- 1-3 cups/week, depending on the fiddle tree size.
- Depending on the environment, increase or decrease water volume and frequency.
I would recommend starting watering your fiddle leaf fig with one cup of water once a week. Try this watering schedule for a few weeks and watch out for the change in your fiddle leaf fig plant.
Reduce water supply if your plant shows signs of overwatering, and increase water supply if it displays signs of underwatering.
To understand overwatering and underwatering signs of fiddle leaf fig plants, refer to the table below.
| Signs of underwatering in fiddle leaf figs | Signs of overwatering in fiddle leaf figs |
| Upper leaves drooping. Unhealthy and crisp leaves Lower leaves of the fiddle leaf fig to turn yellow | Wet and soggy soil Leaves turning brown Root rot |
How often to water fiddle leaf figs
The best thing you can do for your plant is to water it on regular basis. Don’t let the soil dry out completely so that it pulls away from the sides of the pot. This is a sign of soil shrinkage.
It is a serious problem to have shrinking soil. Whenever you water your plant, the water will run between the soil and the pot, down the sides, and will never reach the roots. When you over- and under-water your plants erratically, your plants can die.
Now some good news: you only need to water your fiddle leaf fig plants once a week to ensure they get just the right amount of water!
Keep a calendar reminder to water your plants no more than once a week.
As long as you keep your once-a-week schedule, your plant will get used to the conditions and thrive. When you water your plants once a week, you will have the confidence that you are not over- or under-watering them. Also, you don’t have to second-guess yourself anymore!
Moreover, it is important to note that this schedule only works if you have proper drainage for your plant.
Make sure your plant is potted properly and drains completely after you water it. Before you, water, insert a wooden skewer into the pot and check that it isn’t wet.
Using a moisture meter can be very helpful here. If the soil is wet a week after you water, you need to improve your drainage immediately. There is a possibility that your plant needs to be repotted.
Keep these things in mind:
A good drainage system to drain the water
There must be enough drainage holes in the pot to allow the water to drain out. The fiddle leaf fig loves moisture. However, water retention can cause root rot. Additionally, root rot can be fatal to the plant if untreated.
In order to ensure good drainage, you should use soil that contains enough sand to let water pass. And drainage holes that don’t hold water within the pot.
Check the moisture level of the soil
Fiddle leaf figs don’t like completely dry soil. They love moisture. If you want to know how wet the soil is, stick your finger in it.
When it feels wet, wait before watering again. You can water it again if the soil feels cold.
If the soil is still wet even after one week of watering, there might be a drainage problem. In this case, you will need to check, and you may need to repot the plant.
Fiddle leaf fig water requirements
There are several factors that affect the water requirements of the fiddle leaf fig plant. Below mentioned are some of the factors that you need to take care of while watering your plant.
Fiddle leaf figs need adequate lighting
Light plays an important role in determining how often you need to water your fiddle leaf fig.
These plants enjoy bright light. So, it would be ideal to place your fiddle leaf fig plant in a sunny and bright area. Also, it is important that your house does not get harsh sunlight.
It will take your plant a long time to dry out if you do not give it enough light. This can cause root rot in plants, resulting in death.
Until you can fix the lighting, you should water the fiddle leaf fig a little less than usual.
It is fine to water the fiddle plant as usual if there is adequate lighting.
Fiddle leaf fig thrives in high humidity
A humid climate is ideal for fiddle leaf figs.
When there is insufficient humidity, you will see signs such as dry leaves, holes in new leaves, etc.
In order to increase the humidity in your house, you can use a humidifier. Alternatively, you can use a pebble tray to increase humidity.
In dry weather and low humidity, you should water the fiddle leaf fig once the soil has drained. Touch the soil and if it is cold or dry, water the plant right away.
Temperature determines how much water a fiddle leaf fig needs.
As the temperature rises in the summer, the fiddle leaf fig will require more water than in the winter.
The fiddle leaf fig loves consistency. Therefore, you should gradually reduce watering in spring and gradually increase it in summer.
Each season requires a different watering schedule
The summer and warmer months are the time for plants to grow and stay active. Winter is the time when they go dormant.
For best results, water the fiddle leaf fig more during active months and less during winter months.
An excellent drainage pot is essential
Fiddle leaf figs suffer from poor drainage systems.
For the best drainage system, use potting soil and cactus mix 50:50 in fast-draining soil. This type of soil holds the water for the roots to absorb and drain.
Also, a pot that has a good drainage system is essential. So make sure the pot has a lot of drainage holes so the water drains away.
It is also important to consider the pot’s material. Unlike plastic, glass, or ceramic pots, terracotta pots absorb moisture and dry quickly.
Choose the right pot size for the fiddle leaf fig plant
In order to avoid problems like overwatering, it is vital to choose the right-sized pot.
It is common for plant owners to choose a larger pot than the size of the plant, in the hope that it will grow quickly.
However, larger pots are not ideal, as they need more soil, which holds more water, contributing to root rot.
The root system needs to absorb the right amount of water, so choose a size that is neither too large nor too small.
Water requirements depend on the fiddle plant’s health
A plant’s health can also affect its water requirements. It is important to give time for the fiddle leaf fig to recover if it has root rot or any other illness.
If such a situation arises, go slow on the watering.
What is the best type of water to use for fiddle leaf figs?
You don’t have to use filtered water for your fiddle leaf fig. If possible use dechlorinated water.
To remove chlorine from tap water, let it sit in an open container overnight.
The Best Way to Water Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees
Overwatering fiddle leaf figs is the worst thing you can do. Also, be careful not to underwater them!
When you overwater your plants or use potting mixes that don’t allow for proper drainage, you may notice soft, rotting roots and/or stems. Figs may also droop, yellow or brown, or drop leaves due to overwatering.
Hence, water your fiddle leaf fig enough, or its leaves will seem dry or brown.
Also, it’s not a good idea to let a fiddle leaf fig sit in wet soil after propagation. After propagation, follow the watering recommendations for the fiddle leaf fig plant.
You can follow the water recommendations for adult fiddle leaf figs after repotting.
How to Care for Fiddle leaf fig Plants Between Waterings
You will need at least a few days for your soil to dry out, even if the conditions are hot and bright. Hence, you won’t need to poke the soil immediately after watering.
After a week, you should begin checking your soil for moisture. As soon as the top inch of the soil is dry, it’s time to water once again.
It is important to check the soil near the center of the pot, as the sides can dry out more quickly than the center.
The more you know about your plant’s water needs, the better you can plan its watering schedule. Keep in mind that changing environmental conditions may require you to change this schedule.
Additionally, it’s worthwhile to fertilize and prune fiddle leaf figs in springs and summers to promote growth.
A few questions on watering fiddle leaf fig
How long can Fiddle Leaf Fig go without water?
Fiddle leaf figs can survive at least a week without water. In general, fiddle leaf figs can survive between seven and ten days without water.
Do fiddle leaf figs like misting?
Especially in the winter, misting is an essential part of caring for rainforest plants. Fiddle leaf figs prefer 65% humidity, which is higher than most homes. Leaving a spray bottle near the plant works best for misting.
What does an Underwatered fiddle leaf fig look like?
There are brown spots starting on the edges of fiddle leaves, curling leaves from the edges inward, and leaf drop. Fiddle leaf fig will also show dry, hard soil receding and shrinking from the pot edge when underwatered.
How moist should a fiddle leaf fig be?
Before adding more water to the pot, the top few inches of soil should be dry. Check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger one to two inches into it. If it feels damp or moist, it’s too early to water your plant. When touched, it should feel dry.
Conclusion
The most common problem with fiddle leaf figs is understanding how often to water them. Knowing the water requirements of fiddle leaf figs is key to keeping them healthy.
If you are a new parent to fiddle leaf then start watering it with one cup of water once a week. If your fiddle leaf fig shows any signs of overwatering or underwatering, then adjust your watering frequency.
You may find it difficult to understand the water requirements of your fiddle leaf fig or develop a watering schedule for it. If the plant is overwatered, it will die, and if it is underwatered, it will develop other problems.
Hence, you must find a balance.
Also, the amount of water depends on several factors. Such as lighting, humidity, temperature, season, pot size, and health of the plant.
I would appreciate any tips you may have on watering fiddle leaf figs. Please leave a comment.
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