Growing Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees: Tips at a Glance
A fiddle-leaf fig tree is a dramatic statement indoors but needs care to thrive as a houseplant. Give it filtered sun and a snug pot—and water sparingly.
Type
Tropical tree
Light
Filtered sun
Design Tip
Statement houseplant
Lifespan
25-50 years
Water
Moist soil
Other Uses
Espalier
USDA Zones
9-11
Crown
Round canopy
Peak Season
Evergreen
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees: A Field Guide
Nature has wired us to feel protective of babies, with their oversize, floppy heads. The big, round leaves of a fiddle-leaf fig tree make it the houseplant equivalent of a newborn—and the “it” accessory for a generation of interior designers.
On its home turf—which happens to be West African lowland rain forests—it enjoys indirect sunlight, moist soil, and a high level of humidity. For Ficus lyrata to thrive indoors, it will need similar conditions. If you have humid summers, bring a fiddle leaf fig outdoors in warm weather to remind it of home.