A lot of people who own fiddle leaf figs want to know how much humidity their plants need and how much humidity their home needs for their plants to do well. We get questions about humidity frequently in our Facebook community.
There is no doubt that fiddle leaf figs do best in very humid places, but they are not as sensitive to low humidity as many other houseplants.
Here are the details to answer the question how much humidity does a fiddle leaf fig need?
Most houseplants are from the rainforest where the humidity averages between 75%-90% humidity, which is incredible.
It will never be that humid in our homes, but some plants can handle it better than others. In general, plants that have lower light requirements actually have higher humidity requirements.
There are plants that need less light, like ferns, African violets, and others, that like humidity more than plants that need a lot of light, like fiddle leaf figs.
With their huge, gorgeous leaves and sculptural presence, it’s no wonder fiddle leaf fig trees are wildly popular houseplants. But keeping these tropical beauties happy indoors can be a challenge, especially when it comes to humidity. So do fiddle leaf figs like humidity?
The short answer is yes – these plants thrive in warm, humid conditions reminiscent of their jungle homes Read on to learn ideal humidity levels for fiddle leaf figs and tips to supplement moisture in your home
Why Humidity Matters
In their native West Africa habitat, fiddle leaf figs grow under the forest canopy in steamy, humid rainforests. Their large leaves readily absorb moisture from the air to stay hydrated.
But our modern homes are far drier than any jungle environment! Heating and air conditioning systems suck humidity right out of the air. And in arid climates, the air naturally contains very little moisture.
This lack of humidity stresses houseplant leaves as their stomata struggle to retain water. Dry air causes the leaf margins to brown and curl upward. Growth can be stunted. Without enough humidity, new leaves emerge small and distorted or fail to unfurl properly.
Ideal Humidity Levels
Fiddle leaf figs thrive best with 40-60% relative humidity. This mimics the moist environment of their tropical homeland.
If humidity drops below 30%, you may see signs of stress like brown crispy leaf edges and slow growth. But levels above 65% increase the risk of fungal diseases.
Aim to maintain as steady humidity as possible between 40-60%. Avoid drastic fluctuations and drying breezes.
Ways to Increase Humidity
It takes some effort to provide adequate moisture in our centrally heated and air conditioned homes. Here are some effective ways to supplement humidity for your fiddle leaf fig:
Use a Humidifier
Humidifiers are the easiest way to directly increase moisture. Place one nearby and aim for 40-60% humidity around your plant.
Create a Pebble Tray
Place your pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it increases humidity right around the plant.
Mist Leaves
Gently misting the leaves and soil surface 2-3 times a week will provide a humidity boost. Just be careful not to overdo it or promote disease.
Shower Together
Let your plant enjoy the humidity in your bathroom while you shower 1-2 times a week. Just make sure it doesn’t get direct shower spray.
Group Houseplants Together
Having all your other houseplants in the same room creates a natural greenhouse effect as they transpire moisture.
Use a Cover
A loose plastic tent or cloche cover traps humidity around your plant. Remove during the day or your plant may get too hot.
##Provide Good Air Circulation
While you want to boost humidity around your fiddle leaf fig, it’s also important to prevent stagnant conditions that encourage pests and fungus. Maintain good airflow with fans, open windows, and space between plants.
Ensure Proper Watering and Light
No amount of humidity can compensate for improper care. Always water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil become dry. And provide bright, filtered light without direct sun exposure. Meeting all your plant’s needs is key!
With the right balance of moisture, air flow, water and light, a fiddle leaf fig can thrive indoors for decades. Just be prepared to play the role of the rainforest! These tropicals love humidity.
How to Use a Humidity Meter
When you get your humidity meter, put it next to your plants right away.
It does vary where you put the meter in your home. If you have it in the bathroom, you will find it will read very, very humid.
After reading the humidity reader, check all the places in your home where your houseplants are and make any changes that are needed. This will help as you figure out how much humidity does a fiddle leaf fig need.
How to Measure Humidity in Your Home
There should be no guessing when you look at the humidity level in your home; you should write it down.
I thought that the humidity in my home would be low because I live in San Diego, which is in the desert and very dry. I considered installing a whole-house humidifier and was really excited about it.
Before I went and spent a ton of money on a whole-house humidifier, my husband brought home a super simple humidity meter.
He told us to double-check our humidity level before spending a lot of money on something like a whole-house humidifier that we don’t need. This was helpful to figure out how much humidity does a fiddle leaf fig need.
Turns out, a normal summer day in our house reads around 60% humidity, which is great!
For about $10, I was able to confirm just how humid our house was.
The ULTIMATE Fiddle Leaf Fig Humidity Guide
FAQ
Do fiddle leaf figs like to be moist?
How close should humidifier be to fiddle leaf fig?
What conditions do fiddle leaf figs like?
Why are fiddle leaf figs so hard to keep alive?
What temperature should a fiddle leaf fig tree grow?
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. The ideal day temperatures should not be higher than 95 °F and night temperatures should not be colder than 50 °F degrees. Otherwise, expect poor plant vigor and dropping leaves. Light is another vital factor.
Do fiddle leaf figs need humidity?
Let’s talk about what happens when your fiddle leaf fig doesn’t get the humidity it needs and how you can provide humidity in your indoor environment. Fiddle leaf figs are tropical plants, which means they love humidity more than anything!
Why is my fiddle leaf fig shriveling?
If your tree doesn’t get enough humidity, baby leaves can stick to themselves or each other as they emerge from their sheaths, which can cause shriveling or even tear holes that won’t heal as the leaf matures. As you can see, humidity is important to a fiddle leaf fig!
Are fiddle leaf figs Hardy?
Fiddle leaf figs are hardy plants that thrive even in office environments with little attention. To get the best performance from yours, give it a little extra care and make adjustments at the first sign of leaf distress. If you see light brown or bleached spots on the top of the leaves, the plant may be getting too much direct sunlight.
