How can you grow the tallest, healthiest, and most stunning variegated fiddle leaf figs at home?
Variegated fiddle leaf figs are extremely expensive, rare, overwhelming, and complex to care for. But if you are obsessed with variegated fiddle leaf figs like me, you will find it easy to care for with my guidance of tips and tricks.
No need to worry, today I will explain how to take the best care of your variegated fiddle leaf fig so that it can grow into the tallest, healthiest, and most beautiful tree possible.
But, first, let’s explore this beauty in-depth!
About variegated fiddle leaf fig!
Similar to the fiddle leaf fig, the variegated fiddle leaf has large and fiddle-shaped leaves. But instead of solid, dark green leaves, they have a beautiful green color in the center. Also, their edges are surrounded by stunning white, silver, and cream spots.
They are so gorgeous to look at!
The trouble is, that the variegated fiddle leaf fig is difficult to find and in some cases difficult to grow. Let us know some more details of the variegated fiddle leaf fig given below!
| Light | Bright indirect sunlight |
| Water | When soil is 70% dry |
| Temperature | 18-26ºC (64-79ºF |
| Humidity | 30-60% |
| Fertilizer | Nitrogen-rich feed once a month in spring and summer. |
| Soil | A rich compost with 20% perlite |
How to grow fiddle leaf fig variegated?
To grow a variegated fiddle leaf fig is almost similar to that of a regular fiddle leaf fig, with some exceptions in their lighting and water requirements. Without sufficient sunlight, variegated fiddle leaf figs may suffer root rot, change of colors of leaves, and nutrient deficiencies. So, make sure to provide enough care with proper requirements of sunlight, water, and fertilizers from time to time. Let us know the steps that you can take to grow a variegated fiddle leaf fig at your home easily!
To grow your plant, you will need a jar of filtered tap water, a knife or scissors, and your plant. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Take a cutting that has at least 2 nodes.
Step 2: Take leaves from the bottom node, but leaves should also grow from the top node.
Step 3: Allow the cutting callous to heal for an hour.
Step 4: In a jar of water, place the cutting.
Step 5: Put the cutting in a bright, warm pot out of direct sunlight (on the south side of an open window with plenty of indirect sunlight is ideal).
Step 6: Be patient with fiddle leaf figs as they take a long time to grow roots. Usually, it takes between two and four months.
Step 7: If the water level drops, top it up. Change it if it becomes cloudy, as this can cause it to rot.
Step 8: Once the root system is fairly large, pot it up.
How to care for variegated fiddle fig?
Now, the question is, how do you take care of a variegated fiddle after you have caught it?
It is often said that these plants (and most variegated plants) are fussy and difficult to grow. It’s mostly due to their coloration. After all, variegation occurs when plants produce less chlorophyll, the chemical that makes them green.
Although this mutation results in variegated plants’ beautiful coloring, it also reduces a plant’s ability to convert energy into sunlight. Hence, to support the white, cream, or silver leaves, the green, chlorophyll-rich parts have to work overtime.
So, what can you do to overcome it?
Nothing to worry about, the next section has you covered.
Follow the below care guide to keep your variegated fiddle figs healthy and happy for many years!
1. Light Requirements for Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant
This is crucial for your variegated fiddle’s survival and thriving! Give your variegated fiddle bright, indirect light to make photosynthesis easier. Nevertheless, don’t expose your variegated fiddle leaf fig to direct sunlight. The coloring and lack of chlorophyll make variegated plants extra susceptible to scorching.
2. Watering Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant
Make sure the soil is 70% dry or more before watering it again and check it once a week. Invest in a moisture meter so you’ll know exactly when your variegated fiddle needs water. During the first month, pay close attention to the moisture level of your soil. When your meter reads 3-4, water your plant.
3. The ideal temperature for Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant
A variegated fiddle leaf fig plant thrives in a temperature range of 18-26 C (64-79 F).
4. Ideal humidity range for fiddle leaf variegated plant
When it comes to humidity, these plants thrive at 30-60%, which is a wide range and can be found in most rooms. To keep your fiddle’s leaves soft and hydrated, place a humidifier very close to it.
5. Best Soil to grow variegated fiddle leaf plant
Use a rich, well-draining compost, such as standard potting compost, but add about 20% perlite for drainage.
6. The best fertilizer for fig variegated plant
During the spring and summer months feed once a month with high nitrogen content. More leafy plants like this benefit from high nitrogen feed. Also, a feed can be a great way to encourage growth.
Did you know? Variegated fiddle leaf fig plants grow much larger when kept outdoors and can produce flowers and fruits!
A few quick questions about Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig!
Q1. Can fiddle leaf figs be variegated?
Ans. The dark green leaves of Fiddle Leaf figs can be variegated, resulting in beautiful, tri-colored leaves.
A fiddle leaf fig with variegated leaves displays beautiful, tricolored foliage instead of its characteristic dark green leaves. A variegated lyrata’s leaves are a dark green color in the center, with striking white or cream edges. There are also olive-colored patches between them.
The beauty of a variegated fiddle leaf cannot be overstated, but they are very rare. It is only now that the colorful cousin to the standard and dwarf fiddle leaf fig has begun to gain popularity, particularly among those who have been growing them for years.
There is no doubt that variegated houseplants are nothing new, but unlike Monsteras and Philodendrons, fiddle leaf varieties can be hard to find. Moreover, once you have one, they are much more difficult to maintain.
As a result of the mutation in their cells that gives them their variegation, they are prone to developing brown spots and sunburn much more easily than normal fiddle leaf figs. Its chlorophyll distribution differs from that of regular plants and is deficient in lighter areas.
Q2. Where to buy a variegated fiddle leaf fig?
Ans. At present, fiddle leaf figs in variegated colors are not readily available and can only be purchased from private sellers on eBay and Etsy. These plants are more common in Asia, but they can be shipped abroad, this process is risky for these delicate plants.
Variegation in fiddle leaf figs is genetic, so suppliers must propagate new plants to sell them. Due to their slow growth and high demand, they aren’t always available for purchase. If you are lucky enough to own a variegated fiddle leaf (for a price that’s not always reasonable), you might be able to get a cutting, but you’ll need to find the owner.
Q3. What does it mean for a fiddle leaf fig to be variegated?
Ans. Fiddle leaf figs have variegated leaves, which means their leaves are not one solid color. Rather, they are lighter in some parts and darker in others. They usually form lighter areas around the edges of their leaves. A mutation causes a cell to produce less chlorophyll, leading to variegation.
However, this mutation is not without complications. In the absence of chlorophyll, existing cells must work infinitely harder to convert light into food, which is necessary for the health of the plant.
As a result, variegated fiddle leaf figs are more likely to suffer from ill health and require strict maintenance. Keeping them happy and thriving requires plenty of bright, indirect light, as well as good soil, hydration, and regular feeding.
In most cases, variegation is genetic, so specimens are propagated from existing plants. Due to their slow growth, these plants are considered rare and valuable.
Conclusion
If you are looking to add beauty to your home then you can’t go wrong with a variegated fiddle leaf. Also, the fact that they are rare adds to their popularity. Indeed, they aren’t the easiest plant to care for. But with the above-mentioned guidelines, you can grow and care for your fiddle plant.
If you ask me my opinion, variegated fiddle leaf fig trees are a joy to care for, and the best way to take care of your plants is to know them better. Also, keep in mind that your variegated fiddle may not grow as quickly as a regular fiddle. These plants not only change the appearance of your home but also purify the air in your home and bring luck according to Feng shui. Once you get into a groove with your care routine, and with our guidance in this article, and understanding what makes your fiddle happy, care can be a breeze.
Note: You should always consider a terracotta pot for the variegated fiddle leaf fig to pot in.
I got everything in this article, that you need to care for and grow your variegated fiddle leaf trees! Are you able to get your hands on your variegated fiddle leaf plant at your home? Tell us about your experience in the comments down below as I would love to hear from you. Also, don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family!
If you enjoy gardening, do not forget to check out our next article.
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