How to Take Care of a Fiddle Leaf Tree

Ever wonder how to take care of a fiddle leaf tree?! Well you’re in the right place because I have a few tips and tricks to share that I’ve learned over the last four years of taking care of my own fiddle tree. And spoiler alert–it’s actually a lot easier than you might imagine. I’ve found that fiddle leaf trees are pretty resilient and easy to grow. Here’s how my tree looked when I bought it in 2019:

And here she is now, four years later:

Pretty crazy how much she’s grown, right?! She’s about 9 feet tall now and going strong. In fact, I think she’s grown several inches in just the last few months. She seems to be thriving in this corner of our living room.

Ok here are a few things I’ve learned on how to take care of a fiddle leaf tree:

1. Most important thing about a fiddle leaf tree: don’t overwater! I only water once a week. I made the mistake of watering too often when I first bought mine and it started to get root rot. If the roots are too wet the tree will die. So take it slow and easy. Make sure the soil is dry before watering. When I do water, it’s usually about 4-5 cups. Also make sure the roots are not sitting in water. I have a tray under my pot that is propped up by small rocks to give the roots a chance to dry out.
2. I rotate the tree ever other month, just to keep it growing evenly. And she loves bright light! A lot of people will say to avoid direct sunlight, but my tree has done fine next to windows.
3. Dust the leaves with a damp rag on a regular basis! Keeping them clean really helps the tree grow and stay healthy.
4. Give her some fresh air every now and then. Fiddle trees don’t like a strong draft or breeze, so putting them next to a vent can be troublesome. But I’ve found a little fresh air does wonders. I open that window behind the tree every now and then to let her breath.
5. I have used this fiddle tree fertilizer from Amazon but to be honest, I haven’t used it in at least a year now. It does helps the tree grow, but your tree can still do great without it.
6. Only re-pot your tree when it’s absolutely necessary. I’ve reported mine once in the 4 years, which means it’s probably about time to do it again since she has grown so much recently. Fiddle trees don’t love to be re-potted, so only do it when you have to.

Well there ya have it! Just a few easy and simple tips to help your fiddle leaf tree grow strong and healthy. xoxo