Fiddle Leaf Figs: The Ultimate Care Guide for this Statement Houseplant

If you've ever dreamt of gracing your living room with a magazine-worthy Fiddle Leaf Fig (aka Ficus Lyrata), you’re certainly not alone. These glossy-leaved beauties are the most iconic of indoor plants and the goal of many plant lovers. But behind their statuesque appeal is a diva reputation as many of us find them difficult to care for. Their sheer size can make them quite difficult to water and move around.

The good news? With the right know-how and care regime, it is absolutely possible to keep your FLF thriving. Here’s your essential guide to Fiddle Leaf Figs — we cover soil, light, watering, fertiliser and a few bonus tips too!

(Image source: PerkyPod, this is the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree that inspired the entire concept of a plant pot that would allow thorough watering in-situ without having to risk puddles or lifting and moving elsewhere for puddle-free drainage)

1. Well-Draining Soil is Non-Negotiable

Repeat after me: 

• Drainage is key.
• Soggy roots are the enemy.
  
  

Like all houseplants, Fiddle Leaf Figs despise being left with wet feet. The key to keeping them perky is well-draining soil that allows water flow through easily while still retaining enough moisture to keep roots hydrated.

Look for a premium indoor potting mix blended with airy and chunky materials like perlite and orchid bark. If your soil feels like sludge after watering (think: cake batter) — it’s time for a do-over. The result? Your Fiddle will thank you with perkier, glossier leaves and less brown spots. 

Bonus tip: Ensure your potting mix is free from annoying little insects before you use it. If you got it from the outdoor section of your nursery, be extra careful as the wet/dry cycle when left out in the elements can make those bags a breeding habitat for fungus gnats. If it's too late and your bag is full of them, leave it open in the sun for a week or more to kill them off.

(Image source: Brookfield Gardens Nursery, Brisbane who are PerkyPod stockists. This image shows the Fiddle Leaf Fig/Ficus Lyrata Bambino variety which has smaller leaves and won't grow too tall)

2. Light Conditions: Bright, Baby, Bright

If your Fiddle isn’t getting enough light, it’s going to throw a full-blown tantrum that looks like sad, droopy leaves and zero growth. I killed my first two Fiddle Leafs because I put them on the left side of the TV in my family room. This was too far away from the windows down the right side of my room that got amazing morning sun! Once I put my third Fiddle Leaf on the other side of the TV, only two metres closer to the windows than it's previous position, it thrived!

The lesson here? FLFs crave as much bright, indirect light as possible. They’ll even tolerate direct morning sun until mid-late morning, as long as the leaves are shaded throughout the hottest hours of the afternoon. A north or east-facing window is prime real estate for Australian conditions, the opposite if you're in the northern hemisphere. 

(Image Source: PerkyPod. Here, our founder, Louise, is lifting her huge Fiddle Leaf Fig out of it's standard fibreglass pot to carry it outside for watering? Why bother? Check out puddle stains on the floor under her left foot from when she didn't bother moving it for watering!!)

3. Watering & Fertilising: Less Often, But Do It Right

Here’s the biggest rookie mistake: overwatering. And this doesn't mean limiting how much water you're pouring on them each watering session. What they need is deep watering, less often. Then let the top few inches of soil dry out completely before watering again.

When you do water, do it thoroughly — soak the soil over the entire surface area until water drains freely from the bottom. Then walk away. Seriously. Over-attentive watering is how you kill it with kindness.

For feeding, a balanced liquid fertiliser once a month during spring and summer will keep your Fiddle in growth mode. Use fertilising sparingly, if at all, in winter when they are resting.

(Image source: Light Years Asian Bar & Diner, Newcastle)

4. Why PerkyPod is the Best Pot for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig

Here’s the tea: becoming a green thumb has it perks but the downside? How do you move a large plant for vacuuming? And what do you do about those puddles?

Moving a giant plant to the sink or shower to water it is a full-body workout nobody asked for. Those glossy leaves on a FLF don't like to bend as you manoevre through doorways — and the ragged, torn look isn't something many plant lovers are going for. If you've taken it outside to the lawn, Fiddles are so top-heavy they can get blown over easily too. And those saucers under pots covered in white stains from calcium build-up? They barely hold a thimble and are a dirty mess waiting to happen, especially when you've fertilised.

Enter PerkyPod. Our game-changing plant pot has a built-in, removable water catchment drawer, so you can water your big beauties right where they live. No leaks. No mess. No back-breaking lifting. Just healthy roots and lush growth, thanks to proper drainage and smart design.

Your Fiddle Leaf Fig gets what it needs, and you get your weekends back. It’s a win-win for plant parents who are done with the drama.

(Image source: PerkyPod. This Fiddle Leaf Fig tree has grown too big for a PerkyPod plant pot, so unfortunately it still needs to be taken outside for watering. This sight is a frequent risk: the tree is so top heavy that even a light to moderate wind blows it over!

Conclusion: The Secret to a Healthy Fiddle Leaf Fig is Simple

Caring for a Fiddle Leaf Fig doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right soil, lighting, and watering habits — plus the no-fuss, no-mess drainage of a PerkyPod — your plant can go from moody to magnificent. Say goodbye to brown spots and soggy roots and hello to glossy, green, Instagrammable foliage.

Ready to level up your plant care game? Your Fiddle deserves a PerkyPod.

(Image source: PerkyPod. This image was taken during an in-person delivery of this customer's sixth PerkyPod. She is showing the growth of her Fiddle Leaf Fig tree over the past six months after she planted it in a PerkyPod!)