Have you ever wondered why the Ficus lyrata is called the fiddle leaf fig plant? It’s obvious really. The plant gets its name from the violin-like shaped leaves that remind you of a fiddle.
Where does fiddle leaf fig originate from?
Ficus lyrata, a species native to western Africa, where it grows in lowland rainforests. But more commonly, it’s known as the fiddle-leaf fig — the “it” potted plant of the moment. Every era has its trendy houseplant. In the 1950s and ’60s, it was the African violet.
Do fiddle leaf figs actually grow figs?
As an indoor plant, the Fiddle Leaf does not bear any fiddles (sadly), fruit, or flowers. Unlike the common fig (Ficus Carica), the fruit that this tree bares, when grown outdoors, is not edible. Though, the fig fruits of these two trees do look fairly similar in size and shape.
What is so special about fiddle leaf figs?
Fiddle leaf figs are popular because they’re statement plants that contrast modern interior decor, and they boast bold beautiful green leaves. Once you get the hang of it, they’re easy to maintain, they grow quickly, and you can control the size by the pot’s shape. They can regrow from a trimmed trunk.
What is the meaning of fiddle leaf fig?
Definition of fiddle-leaf fig
: an African fig tree (Ficus lyrata) that has very large violin-shaped or guitar-shaped leaves and that is often cultivated as a pot or tub plant.
Can you eat fiddle leaf figs?
The fruits are not toxic, but they don’t taste good! Even when ripe, the fruit of the fiddle leaf fig tree has leathery skin. They are not sweet like the typical figs we consume and are said to range from bland to a bit tart and have an unpleasant mouth-drying effect. Not particularly appetizing!
How long do fiddle leaf figs live?
25-50 years
The ficus lyrata, or fiddle leaf fig, is a tropical tree native to the West African lowland rainforests. It can live for up to 25-50 years (if cared for properly in non-tropical conditions).
How often should you water fiddle leaf fig?
The number one way to kill a fiddle leaf fig is to overwater it or not allow for proper drainage. Water your plant about once a week or every 10 days. As we mentioned earlier, FLFs are native to a rainforest-like environment, which means they’re used to receiving a huge deluge of water with dry spells in between.
Are fiddle leaf figs male or female?
On top of this, fiddle leaf figs are dioecious plants, meaning that your plant has either the male or the female reproductive organs, but not both at once like monoecious plants.
Why are fiddle Leafs so expensive?
Its distinctive foliage is beloved by many interior designers, and it has become the “it” plant of the last decade. The demand has pushed the price up. Fiddle leaf plants are especially sensitive to air quality. They do not like dry air or drafts, nor do they respond well to too or not enough sun, the list goes on.
Are fiddle leaf figs going out of style?
But, as with most trends, the fiddle leaf fig is inevitably going to fall behind in favor of another plant. Sorry to burst any bubbles. If you want to make your home stand out from the rest and help spur the newest plant craze, we suggest finding a new favorite to incorporate into your space.
What happens if I cut the top off my fiddle leaf fig?
Don’t worry too much about your fiddle leaf fig regrowing if you decide to cut the top off. As long as plenty of nodes are left to regrow its leaves and new branches, it’ll bounce back.
Do fiddle leaf figs clean the air?
Have you ever wondered if fiddle leaf fig plants clean the air? All plants clean the air in your home. Plants take in carbon dioxide and chemicals and in turn, release oxygen. When you look at the different houseplants out there, the fiddle leaf fig may be the best air cleaning plant there is.
Does Fiddle Leaf Fig gives oxygen at night?
However, some plants produce oxygen at night too. The number of plants that continue producing oxygen 24 hours a day is limited, and Fiddle Leaf Figs don’t fall into that category. However, a healthy Fiddle Leaf Fig will produce more oxygen during the day than it consumes overnight.
Is Fiddle Leaf Fig good for bedroom?
If keeping the fiddle-leaf fig in your bedroom, make sure it has adequate light. Just as important, this houseplant requires plenty of humidity, 30 to 65 percent for best results. While the fiddle-leaf fig is a bit of a finicky houseplant to grow, its refined look makes any bedroom look better.
Is the white sap from figs poisonous?
Fig trees produce a white sap. This sap contains organic compounds known as psoralen and bergapten. When these compounds react with the sun, or are ingested by children or pets, they can prove harmful. If ingested, it’s common for children and pets to develop gastric issues.
Is my fig tree male or female?
Ficus carica has 2 sexual forms, the “male” caprifig and female tree (edible fig). The caprifig is monoecious [i.e. with separate male (staminate) flowers and separate female (pistillate) flowers. It is functionally male because it produces pollen. Edible figs contain only long-style female flowers.
Do fiddle figs have fruit?
If you’ve been scratching your head as to why it’s called a fig sans any fruit, it’s helpful to know that in the wild, fiddle leaf figs will typically flower and produce fruit, which rarely happens when they’re grown indoors.
How often should you repot a fiddle leaf fig?
Generally, fiddle leaf figs need to be repotted every 1-2 years. What if I don’t want to move my fig into a larger pot? Another option, especially for a large plant, is to trim the root ball carefully and repot the plant back into its old pot, adding new potting soil.
Why are fiddle leaf figs hard to keep alive?
The most common cause of fiddle leaf fig death is over-watering. Poor drainage and lack of sunlight can make this problem worse. Be sure to never water your plant more than once a week and be careful not to water until the roots have a had a chance to dry out between waterings.
How do I thicken my fiddle leaf fig trunk?
Shaking or wiggling your fiddle leaf fig tree will help to thicken its trunk. This is because the act of shaking or wiggling the plant will stimulate the cells in the trunk to divide and grow.