Fiddle Leaf Fig — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Ficus lyrata |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–30 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 21.1–26.7 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 1095–2190 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 152.4–304.8 |
| Mature height (cm) | 182.9–609.6 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 121.9–243.8 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 10–12 |
| Light | Shade |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Cutting |
Growing directions
Grow in bright, indirect light indoors or in filtered shade outdoors in zones 10–12; fiddle-leaf fig has become one of the most widely grown and immediately recognizable indoor trees of the early 21st century, prized for its enormous, deeply wavy-edged, violin-shaped leaves (12–18 inches long) in rich, dark, glossy green that create an unmistakably tropical and architecturally dramatic statement in interior spaces. Native to the lowland tropical rainforests of West Africa, it grows as a large tree to 50 feet in its native habitat. As a houseplant it requires bright, indirect light (a few feet from a south or west window), consistent watering (allowing the top 2 inches to dry between waterings), and avoidance of both overwatering (the primary cause of root rot and leaf drop) and cold drafts. It dislikes being moved and may drop leaves in response to environmental changes. In zones 10–12 it can be grown outdoors as a specimen tree in partial shade. Cleaning the large leaves with a damp cloth maintains their glossy appearance and maximizes light absorption.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0