Fiddle Leaf Fig elevates mood and improve oxygen levels around the house, but those offerings may falter when grown in the wrong soil mix.
Read on to find out about the soil appropriate for your Fiddle Leaf Fig and how to prepare one at home.
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What Kind of Soil is Best for Fiddle Leaf Fig?
The healthy Fiddle Leaf Fig plant requires weekly watering to sustain its heavily veined glossy leaves.
So, the ideal soil mix Fiddle Leaf Fig should facilitate well-drainage with medium water retention capacity without making soil soggy.
Besides, here are other factors you should contemplate before choosing a soil mix for the Fiddle Leaf Fig plant.
1. Drainage Capacity
Fiddle Leaf Fig prefers to have the top inches of soil dry between the watering and heavily despises having wet feet.
That said, soil that drains too fast without poor water retention capacity can result in underwatering issues.
Thus, peat-based soil with some perlite is best suited for Fiddle Leaf Fig as it ensures the soil is airy with ideal drainage.
2. Soil Nutrition
Fiddle Leaf Fig plants are light feeders that do not rely heavily on regular fertilization to flourish.
Likewise, aim for sterilized organic fertilizer or homemade compost to replenish soil nutrients.
Remember, when soil is out of essential nutrients, plants will begin to wilt, droop and show leggy growth, which eventually can cause death.
Thus, use organic fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2 every month in spring and summer to keep the soil rich in healthy microorganisms.
3. Neutral to Slightly Acidic Soil
Fiddle Leaf Figs plants are picky about soil pH level, preferring slightly neutral to acidic soil, i.e., 6-7.
However, you should avoid acidic soil and organic mulch like coffee, as it can choke the roots.
You can use a soil pH meter to assess the soil pH level before growing the plant.
Add some ground limestone to make the soil slightly alkaline and elemental sulfur and sulfuric acid to make it acidic.
4. Warm Soil Temperature
Warm soil temperature is vital for healthy root growth, as cold soil temperature can increase viscosity and decrease water absorption.
Apart from using heat pads or frost blankets, aim to trap soil heat using organic mulch in winter.
Meanwhile, ensure the temperature does not exceed 90°F as it can kill all beneficial soil microorganisms.
Therefore, position them in an east window where they can get warmth from the morning sunlight.
Signs of Using the Wrong Fiddle Leaf Fig Soilmix
The Fiddle Leaf Figs will immediately begin to revolt and exhibit signs of distress when the chosen soil mix is wrong.
Some major signs of improper soil use you should actively seek out are as follows.
- Yellowing and drooping leaves
- Brown spots
- Root rots that give off a foul smell
- Stunted, leggy or sparse plant growth
- Premature leaf drop
- More pests and fungal diseases
- White salt buildup in the soil
Best Commercial Soil Mix for Fiddle Leaf Fig
To meet the drainage needs, you must choose a soil mix that does not feature regular potting soil.
With the right soil mix, Fiddle Leaf Fig proliferates smoothly in the same soil for over a year without intermediate repotting.
| Commercial Potting Mix | Advantages |
|---|---|
| Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix | It boasts a perfect combination of organic and inorganic matter. A 4-quart soilmix bag is enough to fill two 5-inch pots. No need to fertilize for up to 6 months after application. |
| Professional Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil | It contains rich organic matter. The addition of sand creates soil stability. Pink bark chips allow for soil aeration by creating air pockets. |
| Perfect Plants Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil | It provides sufficient drainage. The soilmix retains moisture. Fertilizer is included. |
| Espoma Organic Potting Mix | It contains rich organic matter. The earthworm casting provides rich organic nutrients. Perfect Myco-tone: A proprietary blend of endo and ectomycorrhizae. |
| Mother Earth Potting Mix | It promotes soil drainage and aeration. The rich coco coir content provides lightness and prevents the risk of waterlogging. |
Homemade Soilmix for Fiddle Leaf Fig
Apart from relying on commercial soil mix, you can prepare ideal soil for Fiddle Leaf Fig at home.
Furthermore, preparing a mix at home gives you control over the mixture ratio to make a soil mix that befits all requirements.
Here is a basic potting mix recipe you can easily prepare at home for Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Recipe 1
Remember to use a blend of organic and inorganic matter.
- 40% coco coir
- 25% orchid bark
- 25% perlite
- 10% vermicompost
Recipe 2
- Use an alternative soil mix.
- 50% peat moss
- 30% perlite
- 20% orchid bark
- Some organic compost
For the first six months after using the new potting mix, you do not need to fertilize Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Note: Prevent adding regular garden soil and clay to the soil mix to avoid the denser substrate and soil-borne pests risk.
FAQs About Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil
Can I use cactus soil for Fiddle Leaf Fig?
As the cacti mix features quick drainage, it is also suitable for the Fiddle Leaf Fig plant. But the nutrient present in the cacti mix may not align with Fig plants’ requirement.
Is indoor potting mix good for Fiddle Leaf Fig?
If the potting mix features medium water retention with well-drainage, every other indoor potting mix is suitable for Fiddle Leaf Fig.
From Editorial Team
Fiddle Leaf Fig is not a fussy plant and does not require soil mix with extra-special contents, but properly curated soil mix helps them reach new heights of growth.
All you need to do is use an essential potting mix that drains well, provides structural support, and promotes healthy micro-bacterial growth.
