How Often to Water Fiddle Leaf Fig—and How to Do It Right

fiddle leaf fig plant — Credit:
Getty / Kseniya Ovchinnikovya

It'd hard not to love fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata). These beautiful plants are adored for their large, glossy leaves, and their sculptural silhouette. They can be a real statement piece in a room, and they can even grow to be 10 feet tall.

However, while the fiddle leaf fig certainly has many admirers, it also has a reputation for being a bit finicky. It's not the most beginner-friendly plant in the world, as it turns out, and requires specific growing conditions in order to thrive. One of the biggest factors, of course, is watering. Too much or too little water can quickly spell doom for your fiddle leaf fig.

Here, we spoke with professional gardeners and horticulturists about how to properly hydrate this particular plant—from tips and tricks to all the mistakes you should certainly avoid.

Justin Costa, horticulturist at Costa Farms
Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension
Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at the Morton Arboretum

How Often to Water

Like many plants, there's no set schedule as to when you should water your fiddle leaf fig. However, it's very important to make sure these trees stay hydrated. "Fiddle leaf figs originated from the rainforest, where there are heavy rains for a week or two at a time," says Linda Langelo, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension. "So they can take some extended moisture."

Instead of a set timeline, your watering should revolve around the plant's desires. "Watering is about need, rather than a schedule," says Sharon Yiesla, a plant knowledge specialist at the Morton Arboretum. "Many houseplants, including fiddle leaf fig, should be watered when the top inch of the potting soil is dry."

Generally, this will occur every 10 days, according to Langelo. However, it's not a hard and fast rule, and will depend on a number of factors—so always check to see if the top inch or two of your soil is dry first. If it is, then it's time to water.

Factors to Consider

When it comes to growing a healthy plant, nothing happens in a vacuum. Factors like light, temperature, and even the pot you choose all influence one another, and play a major role in how much water your fiddle leaf fig should get.

Soil

Langelo recommends well-draining potting soil for fiddle leaf figs. Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms, agrees, but advises that often it comes down to personal preference. "A potting mix that's designed to hold moisture better may need less watering to keep it from being waterlogged," he says. "The best potting mix really depends on your watering style."

Sunlight and Temperature

Light is one of the biggest factors when it comes to watering a fiddle leaf fig. "It's probably the most important thing," says Hancock. "The more light your plant gets, the more energy it will have for lush, healthy growth. And the more it grows, the more water it uses." Fiddle leaf figs need plenty of light, so it's important to place it near a window that gets regular sun.

Temperature is another important consideration. Fiddle leaf figs do well in a room that's warm, but not too hot. The higher the temperature, the more water the plant will need. "A consistent temperature is good," says Langelo. "If you make the temp cooler, I advise giving your plant a few more days before you water."

Container

The pot you use for your fiddle leaf fig matters. It should have drainage holes so that you can keep tabs on how much water your plant is absorbing. Hancock also recommends considering other factors too. "Porous materials, like clay and terracotta, allow more evaporation from the sides of the pot than a plastic or glazed ceramic," he says. "So they'll typically dry out a little faster."

How to Water

There are a few different methods for watering a fiddle leaf fig. The first is top watering, which lets gravity pull water down through the soil. "Water enough so that some water passes through the container and out into the saucer," says Yiesla. "That tells us the water has made it through the entire root ball."

Hancock also recommends bottom watering, which is essentially the opposite. Simply let your fiddle leaf fig sit in a dish for 10 to 15 minutes so that it can absorb the water. "This works well because the potting mix can only absorb so much water, so you’re less likely to get waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot," he adds.

Signs of Overwatering

Overwatering can lead to plant death, but there are a few signs that can help you catch the problem early. Leaves will often wilt, or they can have brown edges—although the latter can also be a sign of underwatering. Another telltale sign is soaked soil. "Once you get to know your plant, you can also tell by weight," says Hancock. "The more water the potting mix has absorbed, the heavier it will be."

Signs of Underwatering

When a fiddle leaf fig isn't getting enough water, its leaves will start to curl and eventually drop, and you may even start to see some brown spots. The soil itself will feel dry to the touch, and the pot will likely seem lighter, as there's not enough water being absorbed.

Common Mistakes

Fiddle leaf figs are a very popular houseplant in large part because they're so easy to find. Most people can snap one up at a local store; however, they're not necessarily the best beginner plant.

"I feel a little bad for it—I totally personify plants—because it was so trendy a few years ago, and so many people rushed to get it ... and they didn’t really know what they were getting into," says Hancock. "I think that, more than anything, is why it has something of a reputation for being a diva."

One big mistake to avoid is too much change. Keeping temperature and light consistent is important, as well as watering. "They don't like extreme change," says Langelo. "When a ficus is moved, it will drop its leaves due to sudden stress." So try and find a spot with plenty of light where your fiddle leaf fig can stay—and eventually thrive.