How to Fertilize Fiddle Leaf Fig | Learn the Correct Way

So, you are obsessed with seeing your Fiddle Leaf Fig grow? Well, you are not the only one. We, plant lovers, do like to see the plants have lush and healthy growth. However, that is certainly not possible without fertilizing the plants properly.

Yes, you read that right! It is not just about applying fertilizer and leaving it to do its work. Without knowing how to fertilize Fiddle Leaf Fig, the results will not be as expected. There will undoubtedly be growth, but the rate will not be noticeable, nor will any substantial changes be visible.

But you came to the right source! We know the proper process! And no, it is not that hard to follow. So, without further ado, let us get right into it, shall we?

How do you make fiddle leaf fig soil?

You have the option to buy readymade soil for Ficus Lyrata, aka Fiddle Fig plants. But if you want to prepare the soil on your own, this is my suggestion:

  • 1-part good quality compost
  • 2-part gardening soil
  • 3-part bark in fiber or mulch form
  • Half part active charcoal
  • Or 1 broken perlite rock

When to Fertilize the Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants?

When to Fertilize the Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants

Knowing how to apply fertilizer is one thing, and when to use it is another thing. But both of the knowledge is equally important if you want to see healthy growth on the plant. As you know, now, you must want to know which time is ideal to fertilizer Fiddle Leaf Fig plant, right?

Well, the best time would be during its growing season. And when do these plants grow? During the summer and spring. So, even if you have got yourself the Fertilizer for Fiddle Leaf Fig during the winter or monsoon, store it in a safe place for a while. Wait for the summer or spring to come, and then bring it out.

When Not to Fertilize the Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants?

As you know by now, the ideal time to fertilize the FLF plants would be during the summer or spring. But there is a condition that we intentionally missed in the previous segment.

Even during the growing season, which is summer or spring, you should not fertilize it if the soil is too dry. We generally use a moisture meter to check the overall moisture of the ground. It is pretty reliable, and it shows us whether the soil is ready to take the fertilizer or not.

However, a closer inspection can tell you if the soil is too dry or not. If you see a bit of cracking on the surfaces, it is dry. We would recommend you first saturate it properly before initiating the fertilizing session. But do not just dump all of the water into the soil.

Instead, check the dryness. It would be good to water these plants once the top 1 to 2 inches when the soil is dry. Check the moisture of the top the next day, and if it is still dry, water it again. Once the topmost of the soil is properly moistured, move along to fertilizing the ground.

On that note, we usually water our plant once every four weeks. The water that we provide during the watering session is enough to keep the roots saturated for that period. And we would recommend you to follow the same watering procedure as well.

How to Apply Fertilizer to Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant?

How to Fertilize Fiddle Leaf Fig

Let us now move onto the topic that brought you here in the first place. These are the steps that you would have to follow if you want to fertilizer the FLF plants in the right way:

Step 1: Mix the Fertilizer with Water

First and foremost, you would need to mix the fertilizer with water. And as you can tell, you would need a liquid fertilizer for this. For the ratio, check the instructions that are in the package. If it states 1%, you would basically need to mix 90ml with 10ml of the liquid to make an overall 100ml of fertilizer.

However, usually, the dosage will be less than that. The one that we are using requires us to mix 10 ml per gallon. That means 0.25 percent of the whole mixture contains fertilizer. But again, the same will not be applicable for the one that you have. It might require you to dilute in different percentages. So, read the label!

Step 2: Apply the Fertilizer

Once you got your fertilizer ready and diluted at the proper ratio, it is time to apply it. And for the application process, follow the normal watering process. Many might argue that the bottom application process would be ideal for applying this fertilizer, but we found out that the normal process works the best.

Now, what exactly is a bottom application process? The process in which the fertilizer is applied on the roots first. This process has one good thing: there will be a lower chance of overwatering the plant. And as you know, overwatering the plants is as bad as underwatering the plants.

However, the process generally keeps the fertilizer right at the bottom, not in the middle of the topmost regions. That means the roots on the bottom would have to do most of the work. And the ones that are on the top will be deprived of the fertilizer.

For that reason, you need to follow the regular watering process. We generally put about three to five liters worth of fertilizer into the soil. It makes sure that the whole thing is saturated. And thanks to the drainage port on the bottom, there is no need to worry about over-watering either.

What Will Happen After I Fertilize Fiddle Leaf Fig?

Apart from just getting good growth, you will notice that the distance between the leaves will shorten. That will make it achieve a lush look. Also, the fertilizer will provide other health benefits. It will have a robust root system, and the trunk will be strong enough to carry the weight of the enormous leaves with drooping.

Final Words

Without learning how to fertilize fiddle leaf fig, it would be impossible to get the plant to achieve a lush look. And now that you know the proper way, you are sure to get that look from the plant. So, follow the steps properly by using the right amount of fertilizer.

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Andrew Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff is here! A well-known gardener and a published author. I have dedicated 17 years of my life to gardening and plantation work. to reveal my expertise, I created an online reading store where plant lovers can shop and read A to Z about gardening for FREE. Stay tuned to know more about me.

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