How and when to fertilize fiddle leaf fig plant

Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus Lyrata) is a perennial shrub whose origin comes from the central zone of the African continent. Its most notable feature is its large, dark green leaves. Although in its natural state it can reach several meters in height, cultivated as a houseplant it is easy to control its development. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular houseplants in recent years, and that is why you cannot miss an article about it on this blog. Here we will discuss everything about the use of fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig plant, how and when to apply it, and what type to use.

1. Growing fiddle leaf fig plant

If you are thinking of buying one of these plants for your home as an initial recommendation, I must tell you that you should check the state of health of it before buying it, just as it is good to inspect a home before buying it, the same should be done by your a fiddle leaf fig plant. Once verified that it is healthy, you should be able to give it all the necessary care so that his good health continues.

While this article is primarily about using fertilizer for the fiddle leaf fig, we want your plant to grow as healthy and strong as possible. That is why we will first see a list of the most important care that must be carried out.

• Light: like many of the best houseplants, Ficus lyrata does not like direct rays. The best thing is that you receive lighting indirectly for several hours a day.

• Irrigation: the water requirements of this plant are not great. It will be enough to water it twice a week in summer and a little less during autumn and winter. Be aware of the importance of watering not causing waterlogging in the soil as it can rot the roots. It is also essential that the pot have good holes for proper drainage. In very dry summers, the leaves can be sprayed to increase humidity.

• Temperature: the fiddle leaf fig plant does not resist low temperatures. You should never take it outside during winter. Inside the house you can keep it in its ideal temperature range for a good development.

• Pests: Although we have said that it is a fairly resistant and easy to care for plant, it can be attacked by various types of pests. Among the most common are; mealybug, spider mite, or fungus. The best way to combat them is regular monitoring, so you can treat any attack in time.

• Pruning: it will be a good ally to control the growth of our plant. It is also essential to remove all those leaves in poor condition or in case of pests.

• Fertilization: this point cannot be missing from the list. In the following sections we will deal with delving into the topic.

2. NPK values – ​​What is its meaning?

If you ever had to go buy a fertilizer in a nursery, and you don’t have much experience, you may have been confused when choosing between one package or another. Perhaps the only notable variation that existed between one package and another was three numbers separated by a hyphen.

If you didn’t ask the seller what exactly those three numbers are, you may still have doubts. Well it’s your lucky day, here we will answer that question.

The three numbers on a fertilizer package are what are known as NPK values. The letter N is given by nitrogen, the P by phosphorus and the K by potassium, these three being the most necessary nutrients for plants.

• N: represents nitrogen, which is the most important nutrient for leaf development, and is also the main chemical involved in photosynthesis.

• P: represents phosphorus, being responsible for the development of roots, stems, flowers and fruits in a more vigorous plant.

• K: this last letter represents potassium, nutrient responsible for giving more strength to the plant. Contributing to a better initial growth, giving greater resistance to diseases, reducing possible stress.

So these NPK numbers represent the percentage of the total of each nutrient. Explaining in one example, in a 1 kg fertilizer package of a 10-5-15 mix, 10% is nitrogen (i.e. 100 g of the total), 5% is occupied by phosphorus (50 g) and 15% potassium (150 g).

As you may have noticed, it is a fairly simple concept. With this already learned, we can continue with our article

3. Best fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig plant

As it is a houseplant, we will always seek to make it as radiant as possible. In other words, that it develops with all its forces, generating large and good green leaves.

When Ficus Lyrata grows in the wild, nothing prevents it from collecting nutrients from the soil, if it doesn’t find them, it just has to further extend its roots. But being in a pot you cannot do it, so it will be you who will have to provide all the nutrients you need.

You will find many commercial fertilizers specially designed for your fiddle leaf fig. Among them, you can differentiate between those that slowly release their nutrients and those that release them quickly.

The most suitable formulas to apply are those that have an NPK 3-1-2 relationship. Although formulas like 16-5-11 and 9-18-9 are also very popular, they have very good results.

Obviously, there is always the option of applying homemade fertilizers, although since the composition of the nutrients is unknown, less precise fertilization will always be carried out.

3.1 Some more used fertilizers

A recommended fertilization of your fiddle leaf fig plant is to combine organic and inorganic fertilizers. In this way you can control the nutrients with commercial fertilizers, and if you consider it necessary to add something else with some homemade organic fertilizer.

Among the most widely used homemade fertilizers we can mention the following:

• Compost: without a doubt this is one of the most common and easiest to perform. Given its high degree of heterogeneity, it is very difficult to know its nutrient composition without carrying out an analysis.

• Fish Tank Fertilizer: many of us love having fish tanks at home, did you know that you can take advantage of it to obtain fertilizers? You should save the water from the fish tank when cleaning and, after mixing it well, apply it to your plants with irrigation. Generalemte contributes a lot of nitrogen.

• Manure: In case you have some farm animals, these give you an excellent opportunity to make homemade compost. Depending on what animal it is, and also on its diet, they will be the final components of the fertilizer. Rabbits generally produce one of the richest nitrogen fertilizers.

• Milk fertilizer: who does not have milk in their refrigerator? If you mix it with water (90% water, 10% milk), it will generate a very good fertilizer. It is very common to apply it on indoor plants. Providing the three most important nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

These are four very common home fertilizers, we could list many more, but we would expand the article too much. 😉

3.2 Homemade fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig

As always in this blog we like to highlight the use of homemade fertilizers. This is because it not only allows you to save some money, but at the same time it is a good way to make use of a large part of the organic matter that you produce at home.

Below we will discuss some of the best homemade fertilizers to use on your fiddle leaf fig tree. Pay attention and you will see that preparing these fertilizers is quite simple.

• Banana peel fertilizer: Rich in potassium and other essential nutrients, banana peels make an excellent natural fertilizer. Simply cut a few banana peels into small pieces and bury them in the soil around your fiddle leaf fig. Over time, the peels will decompose, releasing nutrients into the soil.

• Coffee grounds fertilizer: Coffee grounds are a popular choice for homemade fertilizers due to their high nitrogen content. They can help promote healthy leaf growth in your fiddle leaf fig. Allow the coffee grounds to dry and sprinkle them around the base of your plant. Remember not to overdo it, as excessive amounts of coffee grounds can be harmful. It’s best to use them sparingly or mix them with other organic matter like compost.

• Eggshell fertilizer: Eggshells are a great source of calcium, which is beneficial for the development and strength of your fiddle leaf fig’s roots and leaves. Collect and rinse eggshells thoroughly, then crush them into small pieces. Sprinkle the crushed shells around the base of your plant to slowly release calcium into the soil.

• Fish emulsion fertilizer: Fish emulsion is a potent organic fertilizer that provides a rich source of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can make your own fish emulsion by blending fish scraps or guts with water, straining the mixture, and diluting it further. Apply this homemade fish emulsion to your fiddle leaf fig according to the instructions on the package.

• Epsom salt fertilizer: Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfur, which can aid in chlorophyll production and overall plant health. Dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and use it to water your fiddle leaf fig once a month. Be cautious not to overuse it, as excessive amounts of Epsom salt can be detrimental to your plant.

When using homemade fertilizers, it’s crucial to remember that moderation is key. Start with small amounts and monitor your plant’s response. Over-fertilizing can lead to nutrient burn or other adverse effects. Always follow the recommended application guidelines for each homemade fertilizer to ensure your fiddle leaf fig receives the right balance of nutrients for optimal growth and vitality.

4. How and when to fertilize your fiddle leaf fig plant

Depending on the type of fertilizer you select, the application method and how often you should fertilize your fiddle leaf fig plant will be different. Using a quick-release liquid fertilizer will not be the same as using a slow-release granular fertilizer. Of course, if you use the former, fertilization will need to be done much more often.

Start by getting a fertilizer with a proper NPK ratio (as seen in the previous section). Then follow the instructions on it to apply it correctly. Every good fertilizer has clear instructions, otherwise choose to buy another fertilizer.

There are slow release fertilizers whose action lasts 6 months, to use it, one or two applications per year will suffice. This will depend on how marked the winters are where you live. In areas with strong winters, fertilization in early spring is sufficient. While in areas with fairly warm winters, you can do a second application in late summer.

In case you choose to fertilize with a quick-release one (the most common are in liquid format), you can apply it with each irrigation. Obviously, and being repetitive, you must follow the instructions on the package.

Regardless of the type of fertilizer you are going to use, always keep in mind that in these cases less is more. By this I mean that it is better to fall short with fertilization than to overdo it. Be easier to solve low nutrient problems on your fiddle leaf fig than too much of them.

5. Fertilizing your fiddle leaf fig (video)

To end this article, we have selected a video (Let’s Talk About Plants channel)where you can see much more graphically some of the concepts discussed so far. I have no doubt that it will be more than useful. 🙂

And with this we finish the article. I hope you have no doubts and can properly care for and fertilize your fiddle leaf fig plant.