Ficus Lyrata (The Fiddle-Leaf Fig) Facts
Before you start growing ficus lyrata indoors, here are 7 of its unique facts:
- It cannot grow from a leaf. To replant, start by cutting 6 inches of the stem that connects to the leaves.
- It can grow up to 3 meters indoors. So, better get a smaller tree for house ornaments.
- It can grow taller than a house. If focus lyrata grows very tall, the plant is healthy.
- To revive the plant, cut off the top of the stem. This will give the healthier stems a chance to grow.
- It can regrow (propagation) from the cuttings of the stems. The plant can grow new leaves and become bushier.
- Ficus lyrata is a tropical plant with an ideal humidity level of 65.
- This plant doesn’t fit with the breeze, soil that’s too wet or dry, too much sun, lack of sunlight, and dry air.
Characteristics of Ficus Lyrata
Ficus Lyrata is a widely used plant for home interior, garden, or office ornaments. So, what are its unique characteristics?
Origin
Most ficus trees originate in tropical areas, mostly in Southeast Asia. However, ficus lyrata itself originated from West Africa.
Height
Originally, ficus lyrata could grow up to 15 meters tall. However, to control its height, you plant it in a pot and place it indoors.
Deciduous Leaves
The leaves of ficus lyrata are dark green, wide, and dense. The leaves change color to red when it’s time to fall.
Flowers
Since it’s tiny, you’ll have difficulty finding the flowers. Uniquely, there are different colors of the flowers, such as white, yellow, and even a mixture of white and green.
Self-grown
Ficus lyrata can grow by itself. If you had one in your garden before, there is a chance another will grow on its own.
Benefits of Ficus Lyrata Tree
Not only good to use as house ornaments, but there are also other things to benefit from the ficus lyrata tree:
Shade Plant
If grown as a tree, ficus lyrata is a type of shade tree. If you have it in your backyard, it will make the house’s atmosphere cooler.
Alternative to Vegetable Oil
Ficus lyrata seeds are extracted to produce oil. Thus, it is about 50% high in oil content. The oil contains unsaturated fatty acids with low melting points.
Skin Treatment
The leaf extract is used in the cosmetic industry because of its anti-UV and antioxidant properties.
Herbal Remedy
Most people benefit from its leaf extract for treating back pain, sprains, and even rash.
Simple Ways of Handling Ficus Lyrata Indoors
Location
Choose an area away from the window or near a door. Thus, it grows rapidly in conditions of indirect sunlight. If the room is too dark, you can move the plant to the terrace so that it still gets indirect sunlight.
Fertilizing and pruning
During the dry season, fertilize the plant once a month with a liquid NPK fertilizer. No need to fertilize during the rainy season when the plants are at a dormant stage.
Meanwhile, two reasons to prune a ficus lyrata plant— are to remove dead leaves and encourage new growth. While pruning is an important part of treatment, be careful not to remove more than 5-10 leaves at a time.
Watering and drainage
Water the plant once a week or once every ten days. Excessive watering will cause the leaves to turn brown or green spots will appear. In addition, inadequate drainage or too little time between waterings will make the root rot.
Dirty leaves and moisture
The leaves of the plant must occasionally be cleansed to absorb sunlight better. To do this, take a damp cloth and gently wipe each leaf.
Growing Ficus Lyrata Indoors
With elegant leaves, easy handling, and strong, here are ways of growing ficus lyrata indoors:
Seeds
To start growing ficus lyrata indoors, use the seeds from mature fruit. Split the fruit and then take the seeds. Then, dry the seeds in the sun for up to 6 hours.
Take the seeds to a shady area to start the planting process, which takes 24 hours. Then, plant the seeds using poly bags or pots.
Growing Media
Growing ficus lyrata indoors by using a moist growing medium but not waterlogged. Use fertilizer soil with a pot size of at least 30 cm. Adequate intake of water and sunlight is crucial in the initial process of growing the seeds.
Common Mistakes in Growing Ficus Lyrata Indoors
As easy as it seems, people make common mistakes in growing ficus lyrata indoors. They include:
- Watering the plant too often. Indoor ficus lyrata should not get too much water. Since this ornamental plant is rarely exposed to direct sunlight, they don’t need a lot of water. It is enough to water the plant every once a week.
- Placing the plant directly in the sun. This way will cause the plant to scorch and become dry. If you want to provide the plant’s nutrition from the sun, put it in place away from direct sunlight.