As part of getting ready for the season, we decorate our homes with plants and plan a lush living area that will wow guests. And what better plant to make your home look better than a Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree? Of course, taking care of your Fiddle Leaf Fig is an important part of making your space look better.
Today, our guest blogger, Claire Akin, is going to talk about how to take care of Fiddle-Leaf Figs. She is an absolute expert on this plant, which is a personal favorite of ours.
Did you know that most people who own a Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree have never had a plant before? This can make it harder to make your Fiddle-Leaf grow well. It can be hard to figure out how to give your plant the care it needs indoors, but it’s important for its long-term health.
With their huge, gorgeous leaves, fiddle leaf fig trees have become wildly popular houseplants. And it’s no wonder – their dramatic foliage can lend a touch of the tropics to any indoor space. But caring properly for these finicky plants can seem daunting, especially when it comes to humidity. Many fiddle leaf fig owners wonder if regular misting is beneficial or could actually harm their plants. In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore the debated practice of misting fiddle leaf figs. Read on to learn the benefits, risks, and best practices to decide if misting is right for your fig tree!
An Overview of Fiddle Leaf Fig Humidity Needs
First, let’s look at why humidity is so important for fiddle leaf figs in the first place. Native to the rainforests of West Africa these plants naturally thrive in hot humid, tropical environments. Indoors in temperate climates, their leaves can brown, drop, or develop fungal issues without adequate humidity.
The ideal humidity range for fiddle leaf figs is 55-65%. In most homes humidity falls far below this often into the 30-40% range. No wonder fiddle leaf fig owners seek ways to increase moisture!
Along with using pebble trays and humidifiers, misting is a popular DIY humidity hack. But this common technique is controversial in the plant community. To mist or not to mist? Let’s analyze the pros and cons.
The Benefits of Misting Fiddle Leaf Figs
Why do some plant parents swear by misting their fiddle leaf fig trees? Here are some of the touted benefits:
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Quick humidity boost: Misting can immediately increase moisture for leaves. The effects are short-lived, but a few daily misting sessions can help reach desired humidity levels.
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Ease of use: Keeping a spray bottle handy for quick leaf-misting is simple and takes just seconds. It’s more convenient than pebble trays or humidifiers for on-demand humidity.
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Prevents stuck leaf buds: New unopened leaves can sometimes stick together. A gentle misting helps separate the sticky new growth.
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Can clean dust: The water droplets attract and wash away dust and debris on leaf surfaces.
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Adds shine: Wet leaves temporarily appear darker green and more glossy. The water reflects light for increased shine.
When used selectively, misting offers an easy humidity hack for fiddle leaf fig trees. But misusing this technique carries some risks.
The Potential Risks of Misting Fiddle Leaf Figs
While misting might sound harmless, many experts advise against the practice as a regular humidity solution. Here are some of the potential downsides:
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Mineral buildup: Tap water containing dissolved solids can leave behind mineral deposits on leaves after evaporation. These can interfere with photosynthesis.
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Disease spread: Wet leaves are more prone to bacterial and fungal diseases. Misting can drip microbes down through the foliage to infect multiple leaves. Powdery mildew is a common result.
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Leaf spotting: Water drops on leaves can focus sunlight, acting like mini magnifying glasses. This can scorch the leaf tissue, leaving brown spots where droplets rest.
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Reduced air circulation: Too much moisture inhibits air movement around leaves and the stem, creating a prime environment for fungal growth.
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Not a lasting solution: The humidity boosts from misting quickly fade as the water evaporates. Effects only last about 20-60 minutes.
While the risks might outweigh the benefits for some plants, fiddle leaf figs respond well to selective, careful misting. It’s all about proper technique. Let’s look at best practices.
Best Practices for Misting Fiddle Leaf Figs
If you wish to mist your fiddle leaf fig, follow these guidelines to maximize benefits and reduce risks:
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Use filtered water: Chlorine and dissolved mineral solids in tap water can damage leaves. Filter water before misting.
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Target new growth only: Gently mist only newly emerging leaves to prevent sticking and tearing. Avoid wetting entire plants.
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Mist in early morning: Misting when light is low prevents leaf scorching from water droplet magnification.
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Allow leaves to dry: Give misted leaves time to fully dry before night to prevent fungal issues in darkness.
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Increase air circulation: Use fans in the room to keep air moving around plants between misting sessions.
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Inspect for pests: Look closely for signs of spider mites or fungus before misting, which can exacerbate infestations.
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Consider humidity alternatives: Use misting as a supplemental humidity boost along with pebble trays and humidifiers for more lasting effects.
With careful technique and proper precautions, selective misting presents a low-risk way to increase moisture for fiddle leaf fig trees.
Signs Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Needs More Humidity
How can you tell if your fiddle leaf fig would benefit from some supplemental humidity through careful misting? Watch for these signs of insufficient moisture:
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Browning leaf edges: Dry air causes marginal leaf browning or crispiness. Misting may help.
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Drooping foliage: Dehydration makes leaves go limp. They perk up with increased humidity.
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Leaf drop: Many dropped leaves indicates the plant is excessively dry. Upped humidity can help.
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Powdery mildew: This white fungal powder on leaves points to humidity that’s too low. Misting generally makes mildew worse.
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Stuck new leaves: New growth sticking together needs gentle misting for safe separation.
Monitor your fiddle leaf fig tree’s condition and adjust your humidity practices as needed. Misting as part of a comprehensive humidity approach can benefit plants showing signs of drought stress.
6 Alternatives to Misting for Fiddle Leaf Fig Humidity
While misting has its place as an occasional quick fix, rely more heavily on these other humidity methods for your fiddle leaf fig:
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Pebble trays: Fill shallow trays with pebbles and water. Place plants above, allowing evaporation to increase humidity.
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Humidifiers: These appliances safely raise room or greenhouse humidity levels. Target 55-65% for fiddle leaf figs.
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Grouping plants: Keeping plants clustered allows their combined transpiration to create a local humidity zone.
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Enclosures: Installing a greenhouse cabinet or cloche around plants traps humidity inside.
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Hanging plants: Elevating plants prevents moisture-robbing air currents from drying foliage so quickly.
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Leaf shine: Applying leaf polish products seals in moisture and protects from excessive transpiration.
For the most effective humidity approach, use a combination of these methods to create an ideal growing environment.
Achieve the Best Results for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig
Providing proper humidity for a tropical fiddle leaf fig tree in a temperate home can be challenging. While misting is controversial, selective, careful technique allows it to safely boost moisture when paired with other humidity methods. Help prevent stuck new growth and relieve drought stress, but minimize overall wetting of leaves.
Leaf scorch, mineral buildup, and fungal issues can occur with over-misting. Use filtered water only, target new growth specifically, and mist early in the day for short periods. Ensure proper air circulation always. To maintain optimal conditions, also incorporate pebble trays, humidifiers, grouping, and elevation. Meet your fiddle leaf fig’s humidity needs while avoiding the pitfalls of excessive misting. With a thoughtful, moderate approach, you can enjoy strong, healthy growth from this stunning plant!
Accept the Loss of Older Leaves.
Plants are always growing and shedding older leaves in favor of new growth. Fiddle-Leaf Fig Trees will drop their lower leaves as they grow taller. Don’t worry if your plant regularly drops its lower leaves, so long as it has healthy new growth.
The ideal humidity for a Fiddle Leaf Fig is between 30% to 65%. For plants that need more humidity, you may need to mist them or use a humidifier if you live in a very dry area. Avoid placing your Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree indoors near a heater vent, which can dry out your plant.
Repot When Needed.
If your Fiddle-Leaf is healthy, its root system will begin to outgrow its pot in a few years. It might be time to repot your plant if you see roots growing near the pot’s edges or bottom. This will give it more room to grow. If the plant has grown too big for its pot, you can top dress it instead of repotting by taking off the top 4 inches of soil and adding new soil.
When and How to MIST Your Fiddle Leaf Fig
FAQ
How often should you mist your fiddle leaf fig?
Do fiddle leaf figs like their leaves sprayed?
Should I spray my fiddle leaf?
Should you wet fiddle leaf leaves?
What is a fiddle leaf fig?
Botanical Classification: Ficus lyrata The fiddle leaf fig is easily recognizable and loved for its distinctive foliage. This tall, dramatic plant has very large, heavily veined, violin-shaped leaves that grow upright. Native to the tropical climate of Western Africa, the fiddle leaf fig thrives in very warm, bright, and humid conditions.
Should you mist fiddle leaf figs?
Misting is popular with fiddle leaf fig owners as a way to replicate humidity. After all, fiddles are rain forest plants and they LOVE humidity. But is misting the best way to go about it? There’s lots of debate about this, so we’re going to weigh in. Misting comes with risks, so it might not be the best option to increase humidity.
What happens when you mist a fiddle leaf fig?
When you mist your fiddle, bacteria and fungal spores can drop from leaf to leaf, which can spread fungal infections like powdery mildew. This can also exacerbate bacterial infections, which are very difficult to cure. If your fiddle leaf fig has an infection, try our Root Rot Treatment today.
How do you care for a fiddle leaf fig?
It’s a good idea to mist new leaf buds, but ONLY the lead buds, and not so much that water drips down the other leaves. Give your new baby buds a good misting a few times every week and use a clean, soft cloth to gently dab up extra water if you’d like. You can still raise a healthy fiddle leaf fig in a dry climate.
