How to Keep a Fiddle Leaf Fig Alive

1 Material
5 Minutes
Easy
I've had two fiddle leaf figs for over a year and they are going strong! I thought I'd share what has been working for me since so many people have problems keeping Fiddle Leaf Figs alive.

Fiddle leaf fig trees aren’t the easiest plants to care for if it’s your first rodeo but they are definitely not as hard as some make it seem. I actually did a great round-up of EASY Houseplants if you’d like to start with a few that are hard to kill! But, trust me... you can learn to keep a fiddle leaf fig alive too.
Once you get the two main components of their care down (light + water) then you are golden. Before I go right into how I water them, let me say that I know water can be hard to come by in some areas. We have city water but also have a well, so if this watering method doesn't work for you... do the same idea but fill a bucket instead of a tub.
Ok, so first things first... I fill my bathtub half-full with lukewarm water.


** If you are doing this method, use the water before discarding it to water all the other houseplants!


Also, here's a link on Amazon where you can buy a small Fiddle Leaf Fig if you want to try one out (affiliate link).
I take my figs out of the ceramic pots they are in (as you can see, I've kept them in the original throw away plastic pots that they came in). Once I've taken them out, I dunk them in the water.
They key here is to hold the pot down underneath the water until the air bubbles escape. This takes about thirty seconds or so. This method was recommended to me at our local nursery and I have to say, it seems to be working. By holding the pot down underneath the water, you are allowing the roots to really soak up the water.


After you've finished, let the tub drain. You will have soil all over your tub. Word to the wise here, let the soil dry in the tub with the plants. Come back a few hours later and it's really simple to clean up. I tried to clean it up immediately after watering the plants once and it took forever! So, just wait a bit and you'll find it to be a quick, five minute project.


So, like I mentioned earlier, you can also do this same dunking method with a five gallon bucket.


As for how often I do this, I do this about every two weeks.


Besides water, the other thing that my figs really like are bright, filtered light. I have mine in SOUTH facing windows and they do really well.



Suggested materials:
  • Water
  • Bathtub
Ashley@Biggerthanthethreeofus
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 9 questions
  • Mamabear318 Mamabear318 on Apr 25, 2018

    What about using the laundry room sink. Less water, dont have to bend over, easier clean up

  • Jacquie Trundy Jacquie Trundy on Apr 25, 2018

    What is the ice cube trick?

  • Brenda Brenda on May 29, 2018

    Do you water the plant in between the soakings?

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2 of 25 comments
  • Wassa73 Wassa73 on May 16, 2018

    Sorry got to go water my plants I mean have a shower I'll come back after after work that is😊

  • Sandy Sandy on Jun 10, 2018

    Orchids are not from Alaska and DO NOT NEED FROZEN WATER to keep them alive they are from the Jungle and need regular tap water, filter if you can, you will SHOCK THEM IF YOU PUT SUCH FROZEN TEMPERATURES ON them, think about it!! Would you like your feet in ICE? Proper watering is a must if you don't have the time don't keep them, sorry..

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