Though it can tolerate short periods of dry and drought conditions, you should water your fiddle leaf fig once a week when the soil has become slightly dry to the touch.
This should suffice for your plant and ensure you’re not over or underwatering it, which will lead to dropping leaves and root rot.
Note that you must only use clean and chlorine-free water. Plus, water it a couple of inches deep to ensure it reaches down to the roots and gets the nutrients it needs.
Read this guide to know about the different factors that affect the watering needs of a fiddle leaf fig and what to do between watering cycles.
Factors That Affect the Watering of Fiddle Leaf Figs
Like most plants, once a week of watering works for most fiddle leaf figs. However, less or more may be needed due to the following factors:
- Temperature and Moisture Level
If the weather is sweltering, the fiddle leaf fig will lose more water through heat and lack of moisture.
In this case, the plant has to be watered more frequently. Otherwise, it will struggle, which can result in wilting and falling leaves.
In contrast, when it’s drafty and cold outside, the plants stay moist, so you won’t need to water them as often.
Given these, you have to refrain from putting them under direct sun, by a heating vent, or a cold and drafty window. At best, fiddle leaf plants thrive in a spot at 60℉ to 80℉ with a normal range of humidity.
- Sunlight
Fiddle leaf figs require bright sunlight for six to eight hours daily, unlike low-light plants. The more sun they receive, the more watering is needed because their leaves and soil will dry up faster.
That said, if you aren’t sure, do a moisture test. For this, try to dip your finger or a stick a couple of inches into the soil and see if it’s dry.
If so, the plant will instantly benefit from getting water.
And when you’re watering, we suggest doing it very slowly over the topsoil to allow it to reach all parts of the roots.
- Soil Mix
The soil you grow your fiddle leaf fig on also plays a very important role in its watering frequency.
Ideally, you need a slightly acidic to neutral soil for this plant, within the pH range of 5.5 to 7, because it affects the nutrient and toxicity count of the soil.
Additionally, the soil must be well-drained to allow it to dry out between waterings. Fiddle leaf figs don’t like sitting on sodden soil.
It also helps to break up and aerate the soil to allow water and air to pass through and nourish the plant. One way of aerating the soil is by mixing organic matter into your potting mix.
To make a good fiddle leaf fig potting mix, combine 2 parts of organic soil, 1 part of peat moss or coconut fiber, and 1 part perlite.
- Pot Size and Container
Another thing to consider for planting a fiddle leaf fig is the pot size and container. Remember to use small pots for small plants and large pots for large plants.
Other than that, your choice of container impacts the watering frequency of your fiddle leaf fig.
Plastic and ceramic pots are popular options, as the plant will lose moisture at a normal rate in them. Whereas, terracotta pots, though stylish, will draw out water from the soil so that means you’d have to water the plant more often.
Also, pick pot vessels with drainage holes to improve the drainage of the water and prevent the soil from staying wet. Soaked soil can lead to severe root and mold damage as well as pest infestation.
What type of water should I use for a fiddle leaf fig?
A fiddle leaf fig should not be fed with just any type of water. It should be given either filtered or dechlorinated water only.
Depending on a home’s water supply, tap water can contain traces of chlorine in them, which can hurt your fiddle leaf fig.
But don’t worry. You can just collect the tap water in a small container or basin and let it sit out in the open overnight. Don’t let the water get contaminated by dust, dirt, or insects, though.
What should I do in between watering a fiddle leaf fig?
Once you have watered a fiddle leaf fig, it’s best to leave it, whether outdoors or indoors, for a while.
There’s no need to check the moisture level of the soil right away, as the plant won’t become dry until after a few days provided that you’re giving it the right growing conditions.
As we said earlier, you only have to water your fiddle leaf fig plant once a week. But if the weather is unforgiving, you can water it more often when the soil has become dry.
This can change your watering schedule too, and you’d have to follow it accordingly to promote optimal growth for the plant.
Furthermore, the fiddle leaf fig will benefit from feeding it with plant food during its growing seasons in summer and spring. And, if possible, choose a fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen because this will make its stems and leaves healthy.
And when you’re a long way into growing it, you might need to prune the plant as well. This will make the plant neater and grow new beautiful leaves.
