Winter is just around the corner, and if you have a fiddle leaf fig at home, you must start taking preventive measures to keep the green baby fresh and alive in the colder months. This well-admired house plant adores bright sunny days and warm weather and is not very adaptable to a chilled atmosphere. So, you need to take utmost care of this plant when the temperature drops drastically.
Well, the plant’s winter care routine is not so challenging but should be practiced precisely. Here, we will give you a brief insight into the plant’s compatibility with the winter season, the problems, and the solutions you can adopt to withstand them. So, without any more delay, let’s get started.
TL; DR
Fiddle leaf figs do not show active growth in winter. It is a dormant season, and thus extensive care is essential. For instance, you need to ensure that the plants get adequate water and bright yet indirect sunlight. Fertilization is not needed as much as in the other seasons. Besides, it is vital to protect the plant from cold drafts and inconsistent humidity levels.
Table of Contents
Is Winter A Suitable Time For Fiddle Leaf Fig’s Growth?
As mentioned earlier, the plant is not a huge fan of winters. And that’s why it slows down its growth during the chilly months. The ones outside the house do not really require any special treatment. But the indoor ones need extra care and routine maintenance to survive the winter season. When the humidity is under check, your green baby stays safe.
For example, the main problem that fiddle leaf fig goes through in winters is less humidity in the air. The plant needs enough humidity to flaunt its glazy green leaves. So, a humidifier can work as an alternative to natural humidity. Keep a hygrometer near the plant to track the humidity level.
One more thing you should always keep in mind is to never ever commit the mistake of placing the plant anywhere near the cold drafts.
Also, keep the soil’s moisture level under check. Moreover, make sure not to re-pot it in the winter months.
However, you cannot keep your plant in the same pot for too many days. The roots tend to outgrow and rootbound the plant. But winter is definitely not the right time to change the container. So before it arrives, make sure you re-pot the plant, leaving it in the same pot throughout the cold months.
Note: The best time to re-pot your plant is during summer and spring.
Read: Are Fiddle Leaf Fig Figs Toxic To Pets? Dogs, Cats, Birds And More
What Is The Tolerable Temperature For A Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Originated in the African rainforests, fiddle leaf figs are suitable for warm and humid environments. However, if you want to keep the plant inside the house, make sure to keep the room temperature within 65 to 75°F. But if the temperature drops down to 50° or less than that, the plant starts revealing symptoms of being unwell, including brown leaves and lifelessness. So, set the room temperature accordingly.
Problems That The Plant Faces During The Colder Months
If you have read the write-up this far, you are already aware that the plant is not much active in winter. And thus, it goes into the dormant phase where it stops growing. Being sensitive in nature, the green gem does not really like frequent changes in the weather. And that is why the plant undergoes some severe issues at the point when summer is about to end and winter is about to enter your region.
Apart from slow growth, the plant goes through several other problems, including drooping leaves, leggy growth, overwatering, and overfertilization.
We are going to define each problem, whether to worry about it, and the best solution to overcome the problem. So, keep on reading!
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Slow And Leggy Growth
We have repeatedly mentioned till now that the plant’s growth becomes slow during the cold months, and this is solely to assure the new owners that your plant is completely safe and there is zero reason to panic about it.
Most new owners are unaware of this particular fact and start to panic in the first place. But once the winter season bids a farewell, your green baby will start to flourish again.
Yet another deformity you can notice in your fiddle leaf fig is its leggy growth, meaning the plant appears weak and long with fewer leaves on the branches. It is the leggy phase of a fiddle fig leaf, and that is seen during the cold months.
Well, this happens when your green baby gets less sunlight. This again is something you should be less worried about. Once the warmer months start to arrive, you can discover new baby leaves on your plant.
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Droopy Leaves
The fiddle leaf figs don’t love to be in the cold drafts cause it’s particularly toxic to the plant. Cold drafts have the tendency to dry out the plant, making the leaves droopy. So, always make sure to keep it away from the cold drafts.
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Overwatering
When the owners notice such changes in their plant, they start overwatering it, which is a big red flag! In fact, the plant requires significantly less water during winter, which most homeowners are not really aware of. And thus, commit the mistake of overwatering. It, in turn, results in rotten roots and browning of leaves.
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Over-fertilizing
Similar to overwatering, over-fertilizing is another common mistake that new owners usually make. When they see their plant in leggy condition, they over-fertilize it in order to encourage its growth, but it works reversely, pushing your plant to death and decay.
Of course, fertilization is necessary to accelerate the growth of your fiddle leaf fig, but overdoing it can show negative results. Since the plant slows down its growth in winter, it requires significantly less manure and fertilization. It is because in the dormant phase, the plant can’t really use up the fertilization properly, and the fertilization tends to build up in the soil, burning and spoiling the roots. So, reduce the amount of fertilization, and it’s better if you do not add any manure at all during the winter months.
Now that you know the problem that the plant faces in the winter, make sure not to commit the mistakes any longer to keep your fiddle leaf fig healthy and flourishing even in the chilly atmosphere.
Read: How To Fix Root Rot In Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Winter Care Tips Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig
It’s truly disheartening to see your favorite plant getting lifeless, droopy, leggy, and brown. But worry not, we have come up with outstanding solutions that are 100% effective in retaining the glamour of your tree, keeping it healthy and lively! Take a look –
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Water Your Plant Carefully
Though water is the utmost essential aspect for a tree to grow uninterrupted, the scenario is different. As it is marked as the dormant phase for a fiddle leaf fig, the necessity of watering the plant drops down.
During the cold months, the soil takes more time to absorb the water compared to the rest of the year, leading to over-watering problems. Water the plant only when the soil gets dry. And generally, the event of drying out the soil comes within an interval of 2 to 3 days. So, refrain from watering your fiddle leaf fig regularly.
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Use A Moisture Meter
Before watering your plant, do not forget to check the moisture level in the soil. You can either take help from a moisture meter or just simply put your finger into the soil to sense the moisture level. If it feels wet, skip watering the plant for the day.
Simultaneously, keep checking the functionality of the pot or tub’s water holes. The holes must drain out the excess water each time you water your plants.
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The Right Amount Of Light
The reason the indoor plant appears lifeless and dull is because of a lack of exposure to proper sunlight. So whether your fiddle leaf fig is getting the correct amount of light should be your primary concern.
Usually, your fiddle leaf fig needs indirect yet bright light for at least 6 to 7 hours a day for its precise growth. However, during the chilled months, the plant remains deprived of getting the right amount of sunlight. And due to low light, you notice distressing signs on your plant, including brown and droopy leaves.
In case your plant is not receiving the exact amount of natural light that it needs to grow, you can use artificial lights as an alternative. There are many artificial lights available in the market. Choose the best one and install them at the right angle near your plant. Your fiddle leaf fig must get enough of the light to cheer itself up.
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Give Your Plant Proper Humidity
Fiddle leaf figs just love moist weather. The more the humidity is, the better they thrive. But during winter, the moisture level in the air remains very low, which pushes your green baby towards a suffocating situation.
But, rest all your worries as there are numerous ways by which you can maintain the necessary moisture level inside your home. We have already mentioned the first tip, earlier in the write-up, i.e., using a humidifier. However, if you have a limited budget and want to try out some affordable measures, you can make use of a pebble tray.
You just need to arrange some pebbles and place them in a tray. Add a limited quantity of water to it and place your plant. When the water starts evaporating, it will feed the plant with plenty of moisture.
There’s another cool trick that can provide your plant with the moisture it desires. If your shower room gets enough light, you can place your plant there. The moisture that will be released from the shower can help your plant to bloom well.
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Right Temperature Setup
As previously discussed, the ideal temperature for your fiddle leaf fig is 65 to 75° F. But sometimes during the winter, it’s not always possible to give the warmth your plant seeks.
And most owners act by placing the plant near the fireplace as a substitute. But little did they know that they were creating situations for the gorgeous plant to burn out. The leaves of the tree can easily catch fire. So, make sure not to place it near any heating source.
There are a few simple tips that you can follow to keep your plant safe, including keeping the plant away from the glass windows when the temperature drops.
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Consider Routine Grooming
Setting the right temperature, light, humidity, and watering the plant care is not enough to keep your green asset blooming and gorgeous. You need to keep a keen eye on its grooming as well.
The leaves of a fiddle leaf fig are larger in size and catch dust easily. To let your plant absorb the most of the light, you should always keep the leaves clean and let not the dust build restrict it from absorbing light. While cleaning the leaves, use a soft wet cloth and gently wipe down in a single direction.
FAQs Related To Taking Care Of Fiddle Leaf Fig In Water
How can you maintain the appearance of the fiddle leaf fig in winter?
You can maintain the appearance of the fiddle leaf fig in winter by pruning. While pruning your tree, always use sharp scissors, and do the whole job wearing gloves. That way, you can let your plant get its natural shape back, allowing it to grow uninterruptedly.
Can you keep your fiddle leaf fig around other plants in winter?
Yes, you can definitely keep your fiddle leaf fig around other plants in winter. In fact, it is helpful. The moisture discharged via transpiration from other plants can help your fiddle leaf fig. They absorb it and make up for the low humidity levels.
Conclusion
Fiddle leaf figs are very sensitive and need extra care in the winter months. By following all the above-mentioned do’s and don’ts, you can successfully keep your plant baby fresh, green, and beautiful throughout the winter. A daily check-up and routine maintenance can help your plan survive the chilliest of months.
How did you take care of your fiddle leaf fig in the winter? Share your experience in the comments below.
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From childhood, I have been extremely fascinated with plants and gardening. That has eventually led me to pursue BSc and then MSc in botany from the University of Calcutta. My deep love for plants has probably stemmed from the gorgeous terrace garden that I have seen my father nurture as long as I can remember.