Potted plants need fertilizer, and Fiddle Leaf Figs do too! They have big, dense leaves and tend to grow quickly. One mistake plant parents often make is not fertilizing at all, which can cause growth to slow down or stop and overall poor health. Do you know how often and what to use to fertilize your Fiddle Leaf Fig? We’ll answer some of the most common questions!
The fiddle leaf fig is renowned for being a dramatic, statement-making houseplant. Its huge, glossy leaves make it a true showstopper. However, achieving fast, healthy growth takes meeting this plant’s particular needs – and that includes proper fertilization.
Learning how and when to fertilize fiddle leaf figs will help yours flourish. Read on for a complete guide to fertilizing techniques, timing, and products that will have your fiddle leaf growing thick, lush and strong.
Why Fertilize Fiddle Leaf Figs?
While fiddle leaf figs can survive without being fertilized they certainly won’t thrive. Fertilizer provides essential nutrients, like nitrogen phosphorus and potassium, that your plant needs for vigorous growth.
Specifically. fertilizer encourages
- Faster leaf growth and production
- Lusher, closer leaf spacing
- Darker green leaves
- Increased height
- Better ability to recover from stress
- Higher resistance to pests and diseases
Getting your fertilizer regimen right truly makes the difference between an okay fiddle leaf fig and a showstopper specimen.
When to Fertilize Fiddle Leaf Figs
Fiddle leaf figs should be fertilized during their active growing season in spring through fall. This is when they are rapidly producing new leaves and gaining height.
Aim to fertilize every 2-4 weeks from early spring until late fall. Slow down to fertilizing monthly or bimonthly in winter when growth naturally decelerates.
Watch your plant’s growth cues – if it is still actively growing in winter, continue fertilizing. Cease fertilizing completely if leaf production stagnates or stops over winter.
What Type of Fertilizer Works Best?
The three key nutrients that fertilizers provide are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These are shown as the NPK ratio on fertilizer packaging.
Fiddle leaf figs grow best when fertilized with a 3:1:2 NPK ratio fertilizer. This higher proportion of nitrogen fuels lush leaf growth.
Look for these optimal fertilizer forms:
- Liquid plant foods with a 3:1:2 NPK ratio
- All-purpose granular fertilizers formulated specifically for fiddle leaf figs
- Slow release spikes made for fiddle leaf figs
Avoid overdoing slow release fertilizers or you may burn the roots. Frequent liquid feeding gives you more control.
How to Fertilize a Fiddle Leaf Fig
Follow these steps to properly fertilize your fiddle leaf fig:
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Choose your fertilizer type. Pick a high-quality liquid, spikes or granules designed for fiddle leaf figs.
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Read label directions. Note how concentrated the fertilizer is and how much to use per gallon of water or pot size.
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Dilute liquid fertilizers. Mix liquid plant foods into your watering can according to directions. Shake well to distribute.
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Apply spikes or granules. Push spikes into the soil or sprinkle granules on the surface per instructions.
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Water thoroughly. Water your plant until excess drains from the pot’s bottom. This dissolves fertilizer through the whole root zone.
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Resume normal watering. Let the soil dry out partially between waterings. Only re-fertilize after your regular schedule.
Avoid fertilizer buildup by flushing the soil monthly with plain water to dissolve any accumulated salts.
Troubleshooting Fertilizer Issues
Yellow or burnt leaf tips after fertilizing indicate fertilizer burn. Flush the soil and use a weaker concentration next time.
If leaves are small or far apart, increase fertilizer frequency as the plant likely lacks nutrients.
Leaf loss, spotting or crimping may signal improper pH. Test soil to ensure it’s slightly acidic for fiddle leaf figs.
With the right fertilizer and regimen, your fiddle leaf fig will reward you with vigorous, beautiful growth. Pay attention to its cues and adjust your feeding as needed. A flourishing fiddle leaf fig starts with proper nutrition!
Frequency of entities:
fiddle leaf fig(s): 28 times
fertilizer/fertilizing: 21 times
NPK ratio: 4 times
nitrogen: 2 times
phosphorus: 1 time
potassium: 1 time
liquid: 4 times
granules/granular: 3 times
spikes: 3 times
spring: 1 time
fall: 1 time
winter: 2 times
leaf/leaves: 12 times
growth: 7 times
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fiddle Leaf Fig?
The plants in the wild live in the ground and get nutrients all the time. Our potted plants, on the other hand, depend a lot on the extra nutrients we add to their soil. Even though potting soil has a lot of nutrients, if it’s been more than a year since you last repotted or fertilized your plant, the nutrients may be severely depleted. In the spring and summer, you should fertilize your plant every two to four weeks to keep it looking healthy and bright.
How Should You Fertilize a Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant?
There are a few different ways to fertilize a Fiddle Leaf Fig. You should be careful not to fertilize too much, because that can damage any indoor plant, not just Fiddles, by giving it leaf scorch or fertilizer burn. Also, remember that you don’t need to fertilize in the winter because plants slowly grow and don’t need as many extra nutrients.
Here are a few different ways to fertilize your Fiddle Leaf Fig:
- With liquid fertilizer, which is usually mixed with water and then sprinkled on the soil,
- When using dry fertilizer, it’s best to sprinkle it on top of the soil and then water it.
- Feeding the plant through its leaves or misting it with Plant Elixir
Nourish your plants with this specially-formulated organic liquid plant food. Our Boost Vitaminé is made with powerful plant nutrients that will help your plants grow and do well all year.
Cleaning, Watering And Fertilizing Fiddle Leaf Fig
FAQ
What is the best fertilizer for a fiddle leaf fig?
Can I use Miracle-Gro on my fiddle leaf fig?
Are coffee grounds good for fiddle leaf fig?
How to feed a fiddle fig?