Fiddle Leaf Fig Care: Stop Killing Yours

Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) are everywhere. Design magazines, Instagram, that one friend’s living room that looks like a Pottery Barn catalog.

They’re tall, sculptural, and undeniably beautiful. They also have a reputation for being difficult, dramatic, and prone to sudden death.

I’ve killed two fiddle leaf figs. The first one dropped every leaf within a month. The second one developed brown spots and slowly declined over six months.

Then I learned what they actually need. My third fiddle leaf fig has been thriving for two years. No drama. No leaf drop. Just steady, healthy growth.

Here’s what I wish I’d known from the start.

Why Fiddle Leaf Figs Are Difficult

Fiddle leaf figs are sensitive. They don’t like:

Being moved
Inconsistent watering
Low light
Dry air
Cold drafts
Over-fertilizing
Root disturbance

They want stability and routine. Once you find the right spot and the right care schedule, they’re fine. But getting to that point requires patience.

Light Requirements

This is the most important factor. Fiddle leaf figs need bright, indirect light. In low light, they’ll struggle, drop leaves, and eventually die.

Best light:

Within 3-5 feet of a large, bright window
East or south-facing windows are ideal
Morning sun is fine; filter harsh afternoon sun with sheer curtains

Signs of too little light:

Leaves are small and spaced far apart (leggy growth)
Lower leaves turn yellow and drop
New growth is pale green
Plant leans hard toward the window

Signs of too much light:

Brown, scorched patches on leaves
Leaves bleaching to pale yellow-green
Crispy leaf edges

Pro tip: Rotate your fiddle leaf fig a quarter turn every week so all sides get even light. This prevents it from growing lopsided.

Watering

Overwatering is the number one way to kill a fiddle leaf fig. They like to dry out between waterings.

How to water:

Check the soil - stick your finger 2-3 inches down
If the top 2-3 inches are dry, it’s time to water
Water thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes
Let it drain completely - never let it sit in standing water
Wait until the top 2-3 inches dry out again before watering

How often?

Spring/summer: Every 7-10 days
Fall/winter: Every 10-14 days

Pro tip: The size of the plant, pot size, light level, and humidity all affect how fast the soil dries. Always check the soil instead of following a rigid schedule.

Signs of overwatering:

Brown spots with yellow halos on leaves
Leaves turning yellow and dropping
Mushy, rotting roots
Sour smell from the soil

Signs of underwatering:

Leaves drooping and wilting
Brown, crispy leaf edges
Leaves curling inward
Soil pulling away from the edges of the pot

Soil and Drainage

Fiddle leaf figs need well-draining soil. They’ll rot if the soil stays wet for too long.

Best soil:

Standard potting mix with added perlite or bark (2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite)
Cactus mix also works

Pot requirements:

Must have drainage holes
Not too large - fiddle leaf figs like being slightly root-bound
Terracotta pots help wick moisture away from roots

When to repot: Every 1-2 years, or when roots are coming out of the drainage holes. Spring is the best time.

How to repot:

Choose a pot 2-3 inches larger than the current one
Use fresh, well-draining soil
Gently loosen the root ball
Plant at the same depth as before
Water thoroughly and let drain
Expect some leaf drop - fiddle leaf figs hate being disturbed

Temperature and Humidity

Fiddle leaf figs are tropical plants. They prefer warm, humid environments.

Temperature: 60-75°F is ideal. Keep them away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and heating vents. Sudden temperature changes cause leaf drop.

Humidity: 40-60% is best. They’ll tolerate lower humidity but may develop brown leaf edges.

How to increase humidity:

Use a humidifier near the plant
Group plants together
Place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (pot should sit above water, not in it)

What doesn’t work: Misting the leaves. It only raises humidity for a few minutes and can promote fungal issues.

Fertilizing

Fiddle leaf figs are heavy feeders during the growing season. But over-fertilizing causes brown spots and leaf burn.

How to fertilize:

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (NPK 3-1-2 is ideal for fiddle leaf figs)
Dilute to half strength
Fertilize once a month during spring and summer
Skip fertilizer in fall and winter when growth slows

Warning: Salt buildup from too much fertilizer causes brown spots and crusty white residue on the soil. If this happens, flush the soil with water to remove excess salts.

Cleaning the Leaves

Fiddle leaf figs have large leaves that collect dust. Dusty leaves can’t photosynthesize efficiently.

How to clean:

Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth every few weeks
Or take the plant outside and hose it down (let it dry before bringing it back inside)

Don’t use: Leaf shine products. They clog the pores and look artificial.

Common Problems

Brown spots with yellow halos: Overwatering or root rot. Check the roots and adjust your watering schedule.

Brown edges or tips: Low humidity, inconsistent watering, or salt buildup from over-fertilizing.

Leaves dropping suddenly: Shock from being moved, cold drafts, overwatering, or not enough light. Fiddle leaf figs are drama queens about change.

Yellowing lower leaves: Normal aging (1-2 leaves at a time is fine) or not enough light if many leaves are yellowing.

Leggy growth: Not enough light. Move it closer to a bright window.

White powdery spots: Powdery mildew (fungal issue). Increase air circulation and reduce humidity.

Pests: Rare, but spider mites, mealybugs, and scale can show up. Wipe leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

How to Prevent Leaf Drop

Leaf drop is the most common complaint about fiddle leaf figs. Here’s how to minimize it:

Pick the right spot and leave it there. Fiddle leaf figs hate being moved. Find a spot with bright, indirect light and stable temperature. Then leave it alone.

Water consistently. Check the soil regularly and water when the top 2-3 inches are dry. Don’t let it dry out completely or stay wet for days.

Avoid cold drafts. Keep it away from windows that leak cold air in winter, and away from air conditioning vents in summer.

Don’t over-fertilize. Too much fertilizer causes more problems than too little.

Be patient after repotting. Some leaf drop is normal when you repot. The plant will recover within a few weeks.

Propagating Fiddle Leaf Figs

Fiddle leaf figs can be propagated from stem cuttings, but they’re slow to root.

How to propagate:

Cut a 6-8 inch section of stem with at least 2 leaves
Remove the lower leaves
Place the cutting in water in a bright spot
Change the water every few days
Roots will appear in 4-8 weeks
Once roots are 2-3 inches long, plant in soil

Pro tip: Use rooting hormone to speed up the process. And be patient - fiddle leaf figs are slow growers.

Pruning and Shaping

Fiddle leaf figs can be pruned to control height and encourage branching.

How to prune:

Use clean, sharp pruning shears
Cut just above a node (where a leaf attaches to the stem)
The plant will branch out below the cut
Prune in spring when growth is most active

Warning: Fiddle leaf figs produce a milky sap that can irritate skin. Wear gloves and wipe the sap off immediately.

Why Mine Finally Thrived

My first two fiddle leaf figs died because I didn’t give them enough light and I watered inconsistently. I’d forget to water for two weeks, then panic and drench them. They hated it.

With my third fiddle leaf fig, I:

Put it in the brightest spot in my house (5 feet from a south-facing window)
Set a weekly reminder to check the soil
Only watered when the top 2-3 inches were dry
Left it in the same spot and stopped moving it around

Within six months, it doubled in size. No brown spots. No leaf drop. Just steady, healthy growth.

Fiddle leaf figs aren’t as hard as their reputation suggests. They’re just picky about what they need. Once you give them the right conditions, they’re fine.

The Bottom Line

If you want a thriving fiddle leaf fig:

Give it bright, indirect light near a large window
Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry
Use well-draining soil in a pot with drainage holes
Keep it in a warm, stable spot away from drafts
Fertilize monthly during spring and summer
Be patient and consistent

Fiddle leaf figs reward patience and consistency. Rush them or neglect them, and they’ll punish you with brown spots and dropped leaves.

But treat them right, and you’ll have a stunning statement plant that makes your living room look like it belongs in a magazine.

(Even if the rest of your house is covered in toys and laundry. No judgment.)