Fiddle Leaf Fig - PLANT HERO ULTIMATE Care + Tips Guide To Growing A Thriving Ficus Lyrata Tree!

Welcome Plant Heroes! In this week's video we're going through Part 1 of our Ultimate FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE Care + Tips Guide to help you grow into a winning plant parent for your Ficus Lyrata!
In this video we cover everything from how to find the perfect fiddle to bring home to how to help it thrive for the long term! Gather + Grow with us on our journey to become PLANT HEROES together!
I'll answer your most requested questions such as:
"Where's the PERFECT spot for my new fiddle leaf fig?"
"How should I MASTER watering my new plant?"
"What are the browning leaves saying to me?"
"Should I repot my ficus lyrata yet?"
"What are some Pro-Tips for cleaning my fiddle?"
Part 2 will go into even more advanced tips such as propagating and fertilizing.
We'll get into shaping and basic care -- how to show your fiddle leaf fig some real love. They are one of the most amazing / popular / sought after plants, but also can be one of the trickiest to care for if you don't know what you're doing.. So let us demystify this beauty for you!
Here are the time code stamps if you are only interested in a certain subject.
1:24 WHERE TO GET YOUR FIDDLE?
2:53 WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR PERFECT FIDDLE? (+ Common Bugs To Watch For)
5:26 FIRST DAY WITH YOUR FIG
6:24 DO's and DON'Ts
8:06 HOUSEWARMING and HUMIDITY
8:56 FIRST / FUTURE WATERINGS
12:44 FLF GROWTH / PLANT SPA TREATMENT (Care and Maintenance)
23:37 ADVANCED TIPS (Notching / Air Layering + Taming Techniques)
Many thanks to KZbin and the Plant Hero Community for supporting this channel with GROWTH!
Have a wonderful weekend and GROW what you KNOW!
#fiddleleaffriday #planthero

[@PlantHero]

Just realized for the advanced tip at the end- I meant to say notching not air layering.. derp but you get the idea. Air layering is a method of propagation I’ll explain in a future vid!

[@tinawilcox7026]

🤣...derp....👍

[@ape413]

@@tinawilcox7026 790

[@denisebanadyga3749]

🤤🤤

[@rachelberglin2700]

I got a fiddle leaf a week ago and did not realize how much research I’d be doing about plants... so far this has been the most helpful! Thank you so much for sharing

[@PlantHero]

Ahhh so glad it helped you! Check back for more in depth plant guides and you might find your next plant friend in a future video!

[@mariagillespie5457]

How do I get my leaf that I cut off and put in water to grow? It’s just sitting there doing nothing, it’s not dead but I see no action. It’s been a couple of months?

[@chrisandzuko1136]

The leafs, once removed from the plant will not grow or produce roots. Sad I know but this genius cannot be propagated through the leaf.

[@taitwindedahl6127]

Right I watch videos on the way home and take notes😂😂😂😂

[@gracielaramirez6177]

Im a first time FLF mom and ever since I got her she hasn’t been looking good. She’s seems to be going through everything mentioned in this video. I won’t give up on her, after watching this video I definitely won’t. Thank you for all the great tips!!

[@babettedajos8064]

I just adopted my first FLF from a neighbor and I am so excited but also under major pressure to love and care for it as well as she did. This YT is soooo helpful! Thank you, Hero!

[@marilynmagera3169]

you gave the best directions on how to notch a FLF to encourage branching. Thanks so much for that. I really learned something useful from you today. Keep the good content coming.

[@PlantHero]

THANK YOU! This warms my heart to read!

[@doniai.1007]

THANK YOU! This is the best FLF care video I have seen. I wish I’d found you sooner!

[@PlantHero]

Absolutely!! I’ll make a second one with some more advanced tips soon so subscribe and click that bell so you can be notified when I post future videos!

[@JoJoJohnston]

Thank you Sir!

[@minniepatton1330]

Very, very helpful to me, I have my first ever Fiddle Plant. 😅

[@jennydiego4174]

Thank you! I now have a better understanding how to take care of my fiddle leaf plants! I purchased 3 Ficus Lyrata 2 weeks ago.

[@gailkolak1960]

You are amazing,my fiddle leaf has been driving me nuts ,I repotted it it had root rot ,and now it’s thriving 😀

[@Szu-Ping]

The best video on Fiddle Leaf Fig care I have ever watched, and I have watched many...

[@clara9caudill453]

Great info‼️‼️‼️

[@DianaLiff1]

Very thorough. Thanks. I’m trying to revive a small fiddle leaf fig that a friend gave me and it’s doing much better but your video made me more confident.

[@PlantHero]

Awesome!! That’s what I was aiming to do!! I can tell you’re a plant hero already! Reviving struggling plants in our “plant spa” greenhouse is one of my favorite things to do!

[@helenpenn3317]

Just purchased a Fiddle Leaf Fig and wanted advise on it's care. I watched three care guides before I found yours. Thank you for such complete and easy instructions. I'm going to bookmark your video for future reference.

[@Lovely2291]

I got mine at Costco! They had some really nice ones this year, not too much damage on the leaves and a good grow variety!

[@PlantHero]

Wow! I didn't even know Costco had plants.. maybe not in my area but congrats!! Glad the shipping process didn't damage it too much-- I often see beat up figs at home depo =(

[@LauraWalters-o3i]

Excellent video. I have a fig that got sunburned. I only cut three of them off. I guess I should wait a couple of weeks and cut one or two more.

[@levity8121]

Great video! Thanks! I adopted a large fiddle leaf from a neighbor who moved. The tips of what should be new growth are all brown. Wondering if I can revive new growth or need to prune all the branches. Added new potting soil under the roots and fertilized today so will see how that goes.

[@rosauramartinez2303]

Thank you so much! You covered everything! I had to watch so many videos to learn everything that you covered in just one video plus more.

[@normamcgill3885]

Thank you for the excellent care tips and reminders.

[@carris2scents57]

I love this video!🌿 I've had my Fiddle for about a year. She's grown 3 new leaves and about a foot taller. She's almost 5ft now🤗 After those 3 big leaves came in a few others got a couple of brown crunchy tips😭 So I pulled her out of her pot today and just rubbed it a little and put in some fresh soil. I haven't watered her in 2 weeks and it was damp. Ugh lol She seems kinda happy I guess. It's a process forsure.

[@ak.cici907]

Okay Brother Nature, we see you!! 👏🏽👏🏽👌🏽

[@PlantHero]

Oh my gosh! That needs to be the next Plant Hero shirt I create! Brother Nature. LOVE IT!

[@visigothsloth4819]

THIS VID IS GREAT! Beginner here. I needed to hear every detail! Thank you so much!

[@corazonmendoza79]

Thank you for sharing.Godbless

[@stevie8847]

Thank you SO much for starting at the “I just bought my plant, now what” phase!

[@rebeccaslobodticov]

thanks this is great.

[@PlantHero]

Awesome!! Glad you liked it! Did you have a favorite part so I can make sure to include more in future content?

[@michaelpimpare378]

Just bought my fiddle leaf about a week ago. Really helpful video! Also bought a Ficus elastica with it. The later is already growing crazy but the fiddle leaf is taking her time. It has some brown/redish spots on the leafs which i guess is due to over watering from where i bought her. it was soaking when i got her. Hopefully that's what it was and she'll get better with time.

[@Laurad419]

Wonderful video, your sincere love for plants shines through. I just bought my first Fiddle Leaf and need all the help I can get. Thanks for sharing your expertise 😊🪴

[@PlantHero]

Absolutely! You’re already a plant hero for caring enough to watch and learn!

[@TheJwalker1]

This seriously is the BEST instruction/care video that I have seen for Fiddly figs!! I have a tree and It is growing like crazy in my Kansas City home. I need more advanced care instruction and you gave me great detailed help. TY so much!

[@karoldurham4113]

These are the best tips I found so far on KZbin

[@latricewashington8490]

Home Depot had a shipment of fiddles. I was in heaven. great tutorial

[@PlantHero]

Awesome! Thank you! It's rare but magical when they have a bunch of the plant you're looking for so you can really pick through the batch and find the strongest one!

[@miltamiranda]

I just picked any first one, praying it grows well for me😍

[@PlantHero]

Ahhh Milta praying for solid growth as well for you! Now is the perfect time to bring one home since it’s warming up everywhere these days. What size did you get? Have you named her/him?

[@chaitreasures6528]

Colin Colin Colin Ur knowledge is like Volin (Violin) to my ears Thanks for being Thorough

[@justennie9137]

Thank you for the very clear & descriptive instruction. I really need this. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@PlantHero]

Ahhh thank you!! So happy I could help you out! Stay tuned for more of this goodness!

[@wandawoods9722]

Thankyou! I have learned so much from you, your so passionate about your plants , i loved when you said name your plants i always have, i really get teased for doing it... you made my day, and still do. have a Blessed day !!

[@tinawilcox7026]

Best comment leaving the plant store empty-handed! 😭 The worst thing, ever! I have had my FLF for 5-6 months and it's grown at least a foot and is super happy but, it has small leaves, single stem...it's a Bambino! I didn't know there was a smaller version and I kept waiting for the leaves to get giant 🙃 Thanks for the info

[@PlantHero]

Worst feeling ever! I actually love the smaller ones too but you just can’t beat the giant leaves bigger than your head!

[@Randybaez87]

Thanks so so much for the video it helps me a lot

[@PlantHero]

Ahhhh awesome!! Glad it helped you!

[@johnappleton5500]

Thanks for the good advice. 😊

[@Loopercong]

Thanks for the info!

[@PlantHero]

Thank you for the support man! Hopefully you’ll find some plant daddy inspiration from my most recent video about pet safe plants if you have a cat or dog- I bet Thor would love the friend but you want to make sure he’s safe if he chomps a few leaves!

[@ozindubai]

Fabulous vid! I've read and watched so much since I got my first FLF and your advice and overall approach is hands down the best. Thank you, and of course I've subscribed. :-)

[@PlantHero]

Ahh you flatter me! I'm so happy it found its way to helping you! Stay tuned for a lot more informative plant videos and some random fun ones along the way!!

[@christinebarnaby7303]

Loved your video. How did you get the leaves so green and shiny?

[@olivemaclean]

You can wipe them down with a mix of hot water, vinegar, clean soap and tea tree oil.

[@ckenner5618]

Excellent

[@divyarajdev6340]

Amazing job done in explaining every little detail about this tricky plant. You are an expert on this plant. I am being very patient with my fiddle plant and your input and ideas will greatly help me. Keep up the good work and keep sharing more tips on indoor plant care with the viewers. Good Job.

[@stellabaca6285]

I really appreciate KZbin channels last year I have a flf not quite as big as the ones on the side of you a few leafs a edema she got knocked over lost the majority of her sad l aventully lost her I know have a baby I'm transplanting her she hase 3 individual steams I will keep them for now

[@martiee6882]

I just bought one at Walmart for $14 ... hopefully we can make it work. I am excited to try it.

[@kellyy4525]

Great tips!!!! Super helpful and now I'll know how to really take great care of my fiddle leaf!

[@PlantHero]

Awesome glad this helped! Thanks for the support and feedback! Feel free to ask if you have any questions along the journey!

[@renegonzalez835]

Thank you for this! It really well help me and my plant.

[@alphaflores190]

Thank you - I've learned so much from this video. I live here in the Philippine islands.I just bought a young bambino a week ago and it seems to be happy in our home.Hopefully it thrives well until it grows to only 3 feet tall . Will take all your advise as much as I can.

[@dayseebourquein7036]

Thank you thank you very much, good teaching video 👍🏼👍🏼 up

[@perettelear6603]

Great detailed video! Thanks!

[@PlantHero]

Absolutely! So glad everyone's loving it so much! Check back for more tutorials and plant deep dives!

[@beinikong5731]

Thank you so much!

[@PlantHero]

Glad it helped!

[@renejames8207]

Thank you. That was so helpful.

[@lidiyajohnson7460]

Brilliant!

[@pixeabrea3897]

The best!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jocelynbrown20]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@lilianechofard5171]

Thank you 🙏🏻🌷🌿

[@silenceiscompliance4131]

Best video for a newB thank you. Hope my new gal will have a good chance at a happy life now 💕👍

[@nataliesucic7838]

Thanks for your tips! I'm a new FLF mom to Charlie Daniels (my fiddle of gold) and I am so excited to watch him thrive.

[@PlantHero]

I LOVE the name! Hah I can tell you already have a strong bond with your new friend!

[@FknNefFy]

Thanks PDaddy

[@jananthony7308]

Great video thanks

[@luhencaprinsloo894]

This is such a good video and a great help! I have 2 questions: 1. Some leaves are hanging low like you said, must i move my plant closer to the window without direct sun? Will the leaves lift again? 2. Looks like rust under some leaves? Is it possible to save the leaf/remove the rust?

[@helenlanuza4761]

watching from cavite, thanks for sharing..

[@PlantHero]

Thanks for joining to be a plant hero too!

[@undany]

Can’t wait to try all these wonderful pro tips on my FLF. Thank you for sharing this wonderful knowledge! 🪴

[@MartineReed]

Great video! You are doing everything right. You will grow your business this way.

[@lauranorth2327]

Wow this has been the most informative video about FLF I’ve seen to date. Thank you!

[@gloria3697]

Love this

[@CarmenMorales-td7zc]

Thank u so much

[@jonathanbailey5896]

Nice video thanks mate have a great day today.

[@skyangelthefan]

YES! Ok I want my fiddle fig to grow, so u have my sub. 👍

[@kamilleseven283]

What a detailed video ! This was great! Thank you. I hope you show how to repot a fiddle leaf fig next. Show what types of soil you use, what pots you prefer. Ps. Your tshirt is too cute.

[@lazyleisay]

Really like the tip to name you plant😀

[@PlantHero]

Oh you have to!! It fosters a closer connection and I’m sure they can feel the love too!

[@adisadashinimaeva8428]

Thank you for this video! Helped a lot!

[@PlantHero]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm hoping to do more in depth guides to a lot of different plants so stay tuned!

[@scottbarkelew1104]

✨Well Done, Sir✨ And ThankYouMuch

[@sheilamcnulty2151]

Thanks so much for all the great information. I’m new to plant caring and went full immersion with 24 new plants in two weeks. Your video was by far the most helpful for caring for Fiddle Leaf Fig plants. I have one question about removing lower damaged leaves. You say to snap the leaf off but others say to use pruning shears. I am already very attached to my FLF, named him Dee Dee Ramone, and I don’t want to send him into shock by removing a leaf incorrectly.

[@katemifsud7195]

Thanks for the info! Very helpful! Any tips on helping a large FLF grow a stronger trunk? Im constantly having to use bamboo stakes to hold up the trunks that would snap if i let them free. Lots of big heavy and healthy leaves but still skinny trunks. Thanks!

[@PlantHero]

The best way to get stronger trunks is time.. if they’re not super sturdy I would say you should stake it and keep it growing in the direction you want. And water regularly on a schedule and fertilize a few times a year! You’re a plant hero in the making I can tell for sure!

[@lorriesleaves]

I got two out the trash asked Walmart& Home Depot they both let me take them they are over 6 feet fingers crossed for me 😩🥰

[@chaitreasures6528]

Colin Colin Colin Ur knowledge is like Listening to a Violin to my ears ...U are very ez to listen to 🤗Thanks SSo Sooo Much for Being Thorough In-depth (teaching) Yes U can write a book ! I’ve RE named U “The Green Thumb Guy” u are Good quite Good with those Hands /Plants

[@phyllisgandy5043]

Liked this video. One thing im curious about is kind of bubbly leafs. Why do they sometimes hasppen?

[@PlantHero]

AWESOME! Glad you enjoyed it! The bubbly leaves are often just deformations as new growth pops out due to light or water conditions-- the plant usually outgrows that and often the bubbly leaves grow into normal ones eventually. OR bubbly leaves could be an infection in the leaf.. it's just hard to tell without seeing what exact bubbles you're talking about sorry!

[@lisadawson5852]

Amazing video! Thank you for sharing so much great information!! I just got a FLF from a friend who is moving. It was super dry and sad so I felt like I had to water it as soon as I got it home. Hopefully that won’t put it into shock. It’s good to know I can cut off the brown parts of the leaves and notch it to encourage new growth! 🤞🏼

[@jegonzales7768]

My first time to tune in... This is a wonderful content... More power 🙏🌻🌺🌹☀️

[@rosaramirez-yo9zi]

Excelente video por favor traducir en español gracias saludos

[@aida087]

Hello Colin, just found your video and so much insightful information!! I got my very first small FLF about two months ago and I LOVE it!! It was thriving in my bathroom til I noticed the stem growing thinner! I learned to move it to my Southeast-facing window and it did better until I noticed Edema on two of the leaves!! I stopped watering it as much and the edema almost disappeared completely!! I repotted it yesterday so hope it starts doing better and yes, thank you for demonstrating how to notch for future reference!! Question... I know that leaf stems root but are they capable of growing new plants, just curious!!😊🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@maggiekelly1236]

Very informative! Like your quick no nonsense presentation. Good for me as I have been thinking of getting one or two.

[@Renzyyyyyy]

Thank you for this! ❤️

[@PlantHero]

Ahhh you're welcome! So happy to help! What was your favorite or most needed part? And have you named your fiddle?

[@tana-mayjones4193]

Great 🎥👍🏿

[@heronkite]

I've scoured the internet for how to notch a FLF, but your tip is the most useful! My tree is 10 years old, and has shed all the lower leaves, but would your technique (cutting a 1' square to propagate new growth) work on the lower trunk, where it has already shed leaves? Thanks!

[@PlantHero]

Oh thank you!! I would say thats a perfect situation to try this out! If you really want to help it succeed you could probably add a little plant growth hormone to the notched area and it may boost the chances of it working! But even if you don't do that I would try it on one or two places on a few branches and see how it goes! Id be curious to hear a reply back in a few months if you do get some new growth!!!

[@heronkite]

@@PlantHero Thanks so much for your extraordinary quick and kind reply! I will be sure to let you know if I see new growth!

[@heronkite]

@@PlantHero I'm happy to report that notching has worked! Thanks to your advice and encouragement, I notched a few places on the main trunk (where it had already shed older leaves), and now I can see new growth (the higher up the trunk, the faster they grow, it seems). Unfortunately, the advanced "air laying" technique did not produce any result, but I am so happy that simple notching has really worked. Thanks again!

[@NaomiTost]

Thank you such a great video!!

[@shonaywilliams3235]

Just bought my fiddle leaf last week. I didn't know not to repot it right away so that's what I did. I probably shocked it already 😅. Some of the leaves are browning what are some things I can do to for the plant? Should I take off the leaves that are browning and curling?

[@shonaywilliams3235]

Do you think putting the plant in the bathroom and turning on the shower with hot water would be beneficial for the humidity the tree needs? If so How often should that be done? If not how often should the plant be misted?

[@09migitbot]

#plantdaddy is the move

[@PlantHero]

More babies than we can count but no matter how many plants... never enough!!

[@plumeretbonnet]

thank you!

[@MariahBenson-j4t]

I’m undiagnosed adhd autistic and when you told me to fertilize the like button… my good sir im pretty sure you got us both trippin.

[@daisycardona2910]

Can we place them outside for a few hrs once and awhile? Thank you for introducing the Leaf Tek. I also like to spray my indoor plants with organic Leaf Tonic.

[@sunnycaydence3505]

I leave mine on the east side outside porch spring-fall in zone 7. It gets a few hours of direct morning sun! I did gradually move it outdoors by transitioning a few hours a day.

[@Martina_E]

Very helpful video. I got my first fiddle leaf fig and learning a lot. How long does it take to grow? It’s so pretty has some dark spots and two leaves fell seems to be staying the same for now

[@SunnyKnew]

Greetings Colin !! I’m here form Houston, TX fresh out of the unexpected winter storm. Some of my plant babies aren’t doing too well especially my Fiddle Leaf. I really appreciated and found this video to be helpful. However there were a couple of things not addressed and I’d like to know where I can send you photos so I can revive my smedium fiddle. Thanks in advance!! 🥺🌱

[@PlantHero]

You can send some photos to [e-mail] 🙌🏼

[@SunnyKnew]

Thank you for replying ! 💚🌱

[@lenabordi5006]

Very helpful video, thanks!! Could you please give me an advice with my tree: recently few middle leaves were broken by my dog so now it looks quite thin and tiny 😢😢 can I take another smaller ficus lyrata and put them both into a bigger pot, so that together they would look more voluminous ? If possible, how big should be the pot ? The height of my tree is about 90 cm (34-35 inches) and the current pot is 7,8 inches in diameter. Would really appreciate your advice ❤️🙏

[@PlantHero]

OH NO! Well the good news is that YES you can plant them together! I would say step up to a 10" pot and give them fresh soil and lots of light and they should grow happy together! Did this help you out at all?

[@heddaszczepanski9210]

Hello, what a fascinating video, full of great tips. I bought my first Fiddle Leaf Fig about 2 months ago and it is thriving with 2 new leaves already. Do you fertilize these plants? If so, how and what do you recommend using. I live in Norway. Thank you

[@PlantHero]

Hi Hedda! Yes we fertilize twice a year or four times a year depending on the location or strength of fertilizer! Awesome to hear about the new leaves! Keep being a plant hero!!

[@WeLoveOurJesus]

Good stuff 🙏

[@FknNefFy]

I had to put mine in storage for a MONTH (with no sun or water//I had to!)… And it lost all its leaves and all but died 🥺 But I took it out and started watering it out in the sun on my balcony and it slowly started growing it’s leaves back and it’s thriving! The only issue I have had is rust on the e leaves but somehow I got that to go away (not sure what I did that worked but it’s gone) I haven’t named it but…. It seems like a “Mozart Concerto” 😌 (now he’s named)

[@jameswheeler7679]

Awesome information purchased one about 2 month's ago from a woman who came to Atlanta with a truckload full of indoor houseplants. I decided to purchase a Fiddle Leave after inspection I bought it home recently repotted it it has one big stem and two smaller stems however the two smaller stems have the red dots so yes I will be careful when watering other than that I have not had any loss of leaves I also have it outside in indirect bright sunlight and I have been using light liquid fertilizer so because I have never heard of a Fiddle Leave until after purchasing one I have spent a lot of time on KZbin gathering as much information as possible thank you for a very informative video also any tips on getting it. to grow straighter because it's leaning or possibly tips on cutting it

[@jameswheeler7679]

Update have had mines for a year now and how is well again thanks for the review and information.

[@xJFisch25x]

Thanks #PlantDaddy

[@PlantHero]

Had to wear my favorite shirt for my favorite plant!

[@ametzger62885]

I shower my plants once every month to two months. Good wash and soaking the turn my fans on high. Good or bad?

[@Natthemystic]

I'm confused? Some people say to keep the soil moist and others say to let it dry out completely before watering... I bought myself a moisture meter for all my plants. At what level on the moisture meter would you recommend I water at?

[@mkuc6951]

Keep it dry. 99% of potting mixes are mostly Coco coir, peat, organics. Most are designed to hold moisture for a long time. Never let it sit in water.