Learn how to water a fiddle leaf fig as well as how to care for your fiddle leaf tree in general!
Honestly, fiddle trees aren't as hard as some say they are. Fiddle leaf trees definitely have preferences on light and water, but once you get those things down ... you are on your way to owning a thriving fiddle fig.
I've kept four fiddle leaf fig trees alive for four years now, so I'm calling myself an expert* on their care (* not). Ha! Fiddle leaf fig trees aren't the easiest plants to care for if it's your first rodeo, but honestly, once you learn when to water your fiddle leaf fig, that's about it.
After reading through my fiddle leaf fig tips though, if you aren't ready to invest in one... check out my post on Easy Houseplants.
*Affiliate links below. Click to read my disclosure policy.
Where to Buy Fiddle Fig Tree?
The fiddle leaf figs that I have range from 3ft-7ft. I've randomly found them in town at the hardware stores (Here's the exact one that I bought). Actually now, you can often find a fiddle leaf fig in the early months of the year at hardware stores. Before that, they could only be found at local nurseries and most of those I found to be really expensive.
How Often to Water Fiddle Leaf Fig
I'd been following directions that I heard from all over. The general consensus, from what I heard, was one cup of water every week or so. So, I did that. My little plant (the one from Home Depot) was doing fine but I wasn't getting a ton of growth.
Then, I picked up my Fiddle Leaf Fig from a local nursery that was trying to get rid of them. I think I paid $50 for the 5ft fig and that's a steal. Anyways, I was talking to the owner of the store and he recommended baths for the fig trees. I'd never heard that before but I've been doing it ever since!
*Disclaimer: I posted this on my Instagram stories last year and had lots of good/bad feedback. Here's the deal, I live in an area with lots of water and we have a well, so I don't feel like this is a bad use of my water. HOWEVER, if you do feel like that then I totally understand.
How to Water a Fiddle Leaf Fig
- Fill up bathroom with lukewarm water
- Leaving your real fiddle leaf fig tree in the vessel that it came in, place it in the bathtub
- Hold fiddle leaf fig pot down in the water until all the air bubbles escape (30-45 seconds)
- Drain the tub and let the fiddle leaf figs dry in the tub.
Don't try to clean the tub up at this point. If you do, you will only spread mud and soil around and make a mess. Wait till the tub dries and then grab a broom and just sweep it up.
After I do that, I give the tub a quick cleaning but it's really not very dirty once you sweep up the dirt.
**Another thing about water usage, if you do this method and like it, make sure to use the water in the tub for all your other plants too. I have tons of plants so I will just use this as my watering day and it works great.
Watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig Indoors
Another way to do the fiddle leaf fig watering is to place the container in a plastic bucket or plastic container. Water from the top to thoroughly soak and then fill the bottom of the second container with water until the water line is covering the plant bottom. Allow the plant roots to soak up the water for thirty minutes or so.
How Often Should I Water My Fiddle Tree?
Honestly, look at your fiddle plant and it will tell you! The leaves will get droopy and then you know it's time. If you don't notice that the leaves are droopy but want to test it, stick your finger in the soil about two inches. If the soil is dry, then it's time to water.
If I HAD to give you a timeframe for what the fig tree watering looks like at my house, I would say that I probably water them about every two weeks.
Droopy Leaves on Fiddle Leaf Fig (shown below)
Do you see how the fiddle leaf fig leaves are drooping? At this point, it definitely needs water. I've found that it can be best to just watch for the leaves to droop and then water immediately when you notice it.
Best Light For Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ok, now onto lighting. I've heard a bunch of different things about fig trees wanting certain types of window lighting. For most of mine, they sit very close to south-facing windows, but I do have two that have liked north- facing windows in my house as well.
Honestly, they just love indirect window lighting. As long as you have decent window light and they are close to the window light, I think your fig tree will be fine.
Hopefully, this post helped you figure out how to care for a fiddle leaf fig! I know it can be intimidating to learn about new plants and especially ones that are deemed "finicky". Honestly though, all there is to know about fiddle leaf trees is the the watering and the sunlight. Once you have those two things down, you are good to go!
Where To Buy A Fiddle Plant
Honestly, I think it's great to shop at your local nursery but if you can't find any locally, then here's some fig trees that you can buy online.
So, tell me... have you ever watered your plants like this?
How to Water a Fiddle Leaf Fig
Learn how to water a fiddle leaf fig as well as how to care for your fiddle leaf tree in general!
Materials
- Bathtub
- Water
Instructions
- Fill up bathtub with water.
- Take fiddle leaf figs (in plastic pots) and hold them down in the tub.
- Once all the air bubbles have escaped (usually around 30 seconds), start draining tub.
- Let plants continue to soak up the water in the tub as the tub is draining.
- *Tip: Let the excess soil dry in tub before trying to clean it up. It's easy to sweep up after it's dry but hard to clean while it's wet.
Notes
Another way to do the fiddle leaf fig watering is to place the container in a plastic bucket or plastic container. Water from the top to thoroughly soak and then fill the bottom of the second container with water until the water line is covering the plant bottom. Allow the plant roots to soak up the water for thirty minutes or so.
p.s. If you are looking for a unique planter pot idea for your fiddle leaf fig, then try a plant bag. Or, if you aren't ready to buy a fiddle leaf fig but want houseplants.... Check out my favorite easy houseplants.
PIN FOR LATER : How To Water A Fiddle Leaf Fig
Create/Enjoy
Never tried that but my friend swears by giving her FLF showers! Makes sense, tropical climate/warm water experience..? I don't have a shower on the same floor as my fig so I've never done it and mine had lost a lot of leaves!
Ashley Mayes
Yes!! That's a similar method.
Jerome
About every week and a half I take 5 1/2ft fiddle leaf fig tree and put in tub and pour in 2gallons of room temperature water and let drain for an hour or so before putting back in its spot and it is growing like crazy but use miracle grow sticks it works better
Ashley Mayes
That's awesome to hear!
Ovella
I bought my FiddleLeaf Fig Plant for .50 cents, it was almost dead, I put it in the backyard water really heavy for a week, kept it in a large and deep tray for 4 weeks and she is doing beautifully.
J
I love this for my little tree. However my big tree is nearly 8ft and in a HUGE pot!
We had to use and appliance dolly just to get him in the house!
But my little guy is going to LOVE baths!! Thanks for the tip!!
Cyn
Interesting! I've had mine for 18 years, been through at least five moves and it is over 10' tall! Indoors, no direct light, dust the leaves every 6 months or so, and I toss h2o in when I think about it pretty hardy they are!
Ashley Mayes
Wow! I'd love to have one that big.
Janine
I love fiddle leaf figs and mine are doing ok. Mine get so neglected and pushed around everywhere in my living room! I'll have to try your suggestions!!! Thank you!
Ashley Mayes
I think I'd totally kill mine if I moved them so you are one up on me!
Joy
I recently bought a fiddle leaf fig as a birthday gift from me-to me. It is about 1 foot tall, and the leaves look good except for the very last one that bloomed..I noticed tiny brown dots on the back. Any suggestions on what to do?? I'd hate for it to die.
Ashley Mayes
Little leaves sometimes have that. Just keep watching it and if they spread to other leaves, then you might have a problem.
Lina
Hi Ashley!
I just bought myself one from Home Depot like that one you listed. Was just wondering if you’ve been keeping them in the black plastic pot they came in? I wanted to try out your technique. Thanks!
Ashley Mayes
Hi Lina!
Yes, mine are still in the black pots!
Cindy
I have trouble with all my baby leaves developing into full leaves. One grew out fine but two of them turned a very light green and fell off. Help!
Ashley Mayes
Oh no. Are you watering deeply and then letting it dry out?
Zhanna
I just bought one on amazon.com from delray nursery I think it's called and it came just like the picture only $30 ! It's not huge but it's not tiny/ bigger then I thought it wouldn't be... seriously that's the price of a bouquet of roses from Safeway- even if I killl it I figured it's money spent ok since I buy myself roses every once in a while just because...
Ashley Mayes
Woot woo! That's awesome!! And yes, totally agree that it's the same price as roses!
Rflem
Hi. Could you explain more how you bathe/shower them? I thought overwatering causes it to die.
Lyna
I have killed a few in my Lifetime.
Just in the past month I've acquired 2 more...imma try my luck again... New leaves have came out on both of them (Thank God)I just water when dry and don't move them around..
Never tried to Shower..maybe I will..
Callie
Hi! Great post! I'm a fairly new FLF mom, and since I got it in September, I've just been creepin' along with it afraid I was going to over- or underdo it. I already bottom water the rest of my plants (although I can manage in the kitchen sink, because none of them are too big for that yet), so it was a relief to read that I wasn't doing it 'wrong'.
I came across your blog while searching for this exact topic, so I'll be cruising around to check out the rest too!
Thank you!
Ashley Mayes
Hi Callie,
Yay for joining the club on FLFs. My advice is to watch the leaves... if they droop then water. That's the best thing for mine around here.
Sarah
Thank you for the great tips! Any advice on how not to OVER water them? I feel like I can never find that perfect balance...
Ashley Mayes
Stick your finger down into the soil about three inches.. if it's damp then don't water!
Joel Adams
I just use a large plastic totes and submerge with warm water. LOWES sometimes half-price fiddle leaf figs that they have given up on. I always rescue them and I prefer these as they come back spectacularly ! I keep my fiddle leaf digs outside in shaded areas..and in the foyer of my house; even some in the entryway. Remember... these are actually big trees and if you 'think' of them that way and remember that a tree spreads out its roots far and deep... and needs nutrients continually... then you'll find yourself treating the plant like a hearty plant... keeping the soil, moist and not b.v wet; fertilizing with fish emulsion, occasional gypsum to wash down the sodium in tap water; wiping the leaves from dust; adding earth worms to the potting soil, and generally 'loving' this 'tree' that you want to make a house plant.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks for the information Joel!
Darla
I basically do this wth my fiddle leaf. I take it into the shower and use the shower hose to douse the plant. Then I spray the leave too. I leave it in the shower overnight so it can drain. I then take it out and wipe off the leaves and that’s it. About every 2 weeks or so
Ashley Mayes
That's smart to leave it overnight!
Susan J Scimeca
I got my first FLF by accident. I walked into Lowes and they had one 2 1/2 ft tall one for $5 in October! Whoopee. So I have tried to do everything I have read about them and I do water mine in the shower. Give it one good soak, and a wash let it sit for about 2-3 hrs so it gets all the humidity. Fertilize once a month. Sits in front of a west facing window, that has a blind so it doesn't get burnt by the sun on it. But I still some of the leaves are turning brown and falling off at the bottom. The top ones look ok, but no new growth. I have my fingers crossed.I have grown lots of plants before but this is my first FLF. I can only pray....lol
Ashley Mayes
Hi Susan! I wonder if it's not getting enough light. That would be the first question I had about it since it's in a west facing window! Best of luck with it! They can be a bit tricky at first but after you get the hang of it, they are pretty easy. It's just now growing season too, so new leaves should be popping up if it's happy!
Lori
We used to own a flower shop. On the days we watered
our plants, we filled a five gallon bucket about half way and dipped them from the bottom until they stopped bubbling. One of our greenhouse vendors recommended that method for most of the plants.
Ashley Mayes
Hi Lori,
Good to know! I've started doing it with more of my plants. Jury is still out because I've just recently started but so far, so good!
Mandy
Sorry if this is a stupid question but do you leave it in the black nursery pot to bathe it or remove it every time? I just got a fiddle leaf for Mother’s Day and I’m worried I’m going to kill it already!
Ashley Mayes
Hi Mandy,
You leave the pot ON every time. Don't be worried... just slowly start to really watch your plant. It will tell you if it's happy or not. Hope this helps! Good luck!
Christal
I just received a FLF for Mother's Day and hubby also bought me a beautiful pot for it to go in. How long should i wait to transplant it?
Ashley Mayes
Hi,
Honestly, I LOVE to leave it in the nursery pot and then stick that black pot inside the beautiful pot. It makes is really easy to water that way!
Alma
I’m very bad about checking if it needs water or not so I bought myself a moisture meter. I’ve read that to water it the meter should read in between 3-4. I have not watered since I bought it (going on 7 days) but the meter is reading is at level 7. What should I do?
Ashley Mayes
Hi Alma,
You need to stick your finger down into the soil 2-3 inches. If the soil is dry and the leaves are starting to get droopy, it's time to water.
Erin
The leaves of my fiddle leaf fig have never drooped, and I have been giving it about a cup of water every week. My leaves do have little brown spots, but the root ball and soil are pretty dry. I came home today and a leaf had fallen off. I want to water it the container way you recommended, but the pot the florist planted it in is ceramic. It does have a drainage hole, but I’m worried the pot absorbs too much of the moisture. It is by, but not right on a south facing window. I would like to get your thoughts. 🙂
Ashley Mayes
Hi Erin,
In my experience, FLF need to be thoroughly watered. My suggestion would be to water it quite a bit more but wait between waterings for it to dry out.
Alma
Hi, I just bought a FLF from Lowe’s and it seems to be pot bound as it’s a bit warped and some roots are coming out of the bottom. It’s July I’m from El Paso Texas so I’m wondering if I should transfer it to another pot that’s 2 inches bigger now or so I wait a month or so to avoid showing it. I’m not sure what to do please help
Ashley Mayes
Hi Alma,
I'd wait a month and let is accumulate to your space!
Kina
Hi Ashley
I’m a FLF mom and I am absolutely struggling!! This is our second one. I think the first one was overwatered and the second is under watered. I am overwhelmed in looking at all the suggestions and info on this plant kmsl. I went to Lowe’s and purchased a smaller pot and some cactus soil. It’s still looking droopy and I repotted this morning. I did water it but water didn’t come out the bottom like so I’m scared of overwatering what is the best suggestion from here on I’m working very hard to prove I can do this lol
Ashley Mayes
Hi Kina,
I would definitely suggest sticking your finger in the soil about 3 inches down. If it's wet or damp, don't water at all. Wait until it's bone dry to water again.
Veronica
Hi! Thanks for the tip. I have a question though. It’s my first time owning a FLF got mine from a nursery and repotted it on the same day, last Sunday (Aug 9th) with MiracleGro Potting Mix.
So my question is, once the soil is completely dry, can i take it out of my plastic pot, change the soil to a mix of cactus soil and miracle gro and put it back in? Plus i want to add pebbles at the base of my new plastic pot before i add in the mix of miracle gro potting mix and cactus mix...or will that stress my FLF too much?
Thank you!!
Ashley Mayes
Hi,
Usually plants are pretty darn happy when you get them from a nursery. I'd wait awhile to make changes. =)
Cherie
How do you get your FLF to branch out instead of remaining one stem?
Ashley Mayes
Hi Cherie,
I believe you have to notch the fiddle leaf trunk but I've never done that before. If you google "notching fiddle tree," I bet you find information!
TINA MOORE
I bought mine from aldi for $12.99 in a large beautiful pot too. But it died i did"nt know how to care for it. The leaves kept turning brown.
Ashley Mayes
It can be a bit overwhelming at first but follow this tutorial next time you get one.
Denise B.
I personally don’t like leaving my plants in the black pots..I bought a very large flf at Costco and when I repotted it there were so many creepy crawly bugs down in the soil I had to run it outside and hose off the roots. Luckily I was going to repot and had everything. I then went through a period of the little nats running all over it after I forgot I had just previously watered it..so I knew the dirt was way wet and caused that..anyway treated with neem oil and let the dirt dry about a month before introducing another watering schedule. So far so good, I really don’t want to lose it since it is about 5 ft tall I really love it.
Ashley Mayes
Oh, yuck! I hate when I buy plants that come with bugs. I've used neem oil before as well, it definitely works.
Sussan
I got my first FLF last week from Lidl’s for $9.99. It is about 2 feet tall and looks pretty good. I was searching for one that was not expensive, just encase it didn’t survive. I will do the tub/shower soak. This was a great Pin.
Ashley Mayes
Yes, try it! I've found that bottom watering to get the roots really soaked works great on a number of plants.
Nanc
My FLF dropped all leaves last year! Didn't know if iy was dead or not. BUT stem was still alive, so put it outside all summer Leaves came back beautifully!
But why are leaves getting brown spots. Spots are easily 2+ inches in size. They showup on edges and at leaf base.
Plant is bout 3 ft tall. 3 stems. But these spots are my concern.
I don't think these are burns. Plant lives near an east window with indirect light.
Would love any ideas.
Thx
Tony
Just bought two Fiddle leafs at the 99 cent store 7.99-15.99!!! They are pretty big to 14-18 inches tall. Your method comes in handy with all plants from the 99, they don't water any of these plants .
Gretchen Arther
Please help me my leaves keep falling off I even bought a meter specifically for the fiddle fig leaf ficus moist light pH to three-way meter. It’s moist right, the pH is off and the lighting‘s off and it’s in direct sunlight for slider door. I’m still losing leaves, its soil for the fiddle fig leaf good draining soil for the fiddle, fig leaf. Please help me. I really don’t know what to do. This was a gift. My mom was a professional violinist so this gift is extremely sentimental and it’s dying on me.