Fiddle Leaf Fig Care: 7 Ways to Kill and Save Your Plant

With its enormous glossy leaves and sculptural silhouette, the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) remains one of the most striking indoor plants you can bring home. Unfortunately, it also has a reputation for being rather particular about how it likes to live. If you suspect you’re killing your fiddle leaf fig, don’t give up on it just yet. Often, a sad-looking fiddle isn’t beyond saving; it’s reacting to its environment. Too much water, too little light, sudden temperature changes and even moving it around the house can cause problems.

One of the biggest fiddle leaf mistakes is assuming your plant needs a drink every Sunday simply because that’s watering day. Richard Unsworth, director of Sydney plant emporium Garden Life, previously told Home Beautiful that fiddle leaf figs like to be watered well but should also dry out slightly between waterings. Rather than giving your plant small, frequent drinks, Richard recommends thoroughly watering the potting mix when the plant needs it.

Gardening Australia recommends feeling the top few centimetres of soil before watering. If they’re dry, give the plant a thorough drink and allow excess water to run through the drainage holes. Kellie Brown, co-founder and floral designer at Fig & Bloom, follows the same principle with the fiddle leaf fig kept in the Fig & Bloom studio. During the warmer growing months, she recommends checking whether the top 3–5cm of soil has dried before watering rather than relying on the calendar.

Fiddle leaf figs like moisture, but they don’t want their roots sitting permanently in wet soil. Gardening Australia recommends using a well-draining potting mix and allowing the top few centimetres of soil to dry before watering again. Make sure your pot has adequate drainage and don’t allow excess water to sit in the saucer or decorative outer pot.

Brown markings can provide clues about what’s happening. Kellie says dark, soft brown patches — particularly on lower leaves — can indicate too much water, while dry, crispy brown edges are more likely to point towards insufficient water or sun scorch. So before automatically reaching for the watering can when a leaf turns brown, check the soil.

These plants aren’t for dark corners. “Figs do love being in a light-filled room, but avoid positioning close to hot sunny windows where leaves may burn,” Richard says. Gardening Australia similarly recommends a brightly lit position without direct afternoon sun.

Kellie recommends bright, indirect light during the warmer months. Because fiddle leaf figs naturally grow towards their light source, she also suggests rotating the pot periodically to encourage more even growth.

That aesthetically perfect empty corner beside the heater? Your fiddle leaf fig may disagree. “Keep out of strong draughts of either hot or cold air – therefore also steer clear of heaters and air conditioners,” Richard says.

It may be tempting to carry a struggling plant from room to room in search of the elusive perfect spot, but this can create another problem. Fiddle leaf figs aren’t particularly fond of change. A plant may drop some leaves while adjusting to a new environment, and repeatedly moving it can cause further stress.

Seasonal care makes the difference. Your plant’s needs aren’t static throughout the year. Richard recommends watering more during spring and summer and less during winter, while Kellie takes the seasonal approach further, adjusting watering, feeding, light and pruning according to whether the plant is actively growing or resting.

Spring and summer: Check the soil regularly and water thoroughly once the top few centimetres have dried. Allow excess water to drain. Feed during active growth. Richard recommends a slow-release fertiliser in spring or a suitable liquid feed during the growing season. Give it plenty of bright, indirect light and protect leaves from harsh direct sun. This is the best time for significant pruning and shaping because the plant is actively growing.
Autumn and winter: Reduce watering as growth slows and the soil takes longer to dry. Check the soil rather than following your summer schedule. Stop regular feeding while the plant is resting and resume when active growth returns. With shorter, weaker daylight, move it closer to your brightest available window if necessary, without allowing the leaves to touch cold glass. Protect it from cold windows and draughts, but don’t compensate by placing it beside a heater or heating vent.

The routine itself may be the problem if you’re killing your fiddle leaf fig every winter despite following the same routine that worked beautifully in summer.

Those enormous leaves aren’t just beautiful — they can also give you an early warning that something isn’t right. Dry, crispy brown edges can indicate that the plant has become too dry or has suffered sun scorch, while darker, softer patches can be associated with excess moisture. Drooping foliage may also signal that your plant needs water.

Keep the leaves clean, too. A gentle wipe with a soft, damp cloth removes accumulated dust from their broad surface and gives you an opportunity to check for pests. When pruning damaged or discoloured foliage, use clean, sharp secateurs. Richard also recommends looking carefully for small developing buds on the stem before pruning so you don’t accidentally remove potential new growth.

Ultimately, fiddle leaf figs aren’t impossible to keep alive. They just aren’t particularly forgiving of extremes. Give yours bright, indirect light; keep it away from strong draughts, heaters and air conditioning; use a well-draining potting mix; and check the soil before watering rather than relying on a rigid timetable. Most importantly, pay attention to the season. A fiddle leaf fig pushing out new leaves during a warm Australian spring has very different requirements from one sitting relatively dormant through the middle of winter.

If in doubt just improve the conditions of the fig, give it the best spot and care that you can – and it will come back and shine for you, says Richard.