Ficus lyrata: care | Gardening On

Do you like plants with a curious and original aspect? Then you sure know the fig lyrataor perhaps by its other names, ficus lira, fig pandurata or fiddle-leaf fig tree. This plant is unique in its appearance, but what do you know about the care of fig lyrata?

If you want to have a fig lyratacare is a very important part for your home to benefit from its beauty. Therefore, here we talk about everything you need to know about it.

Caring for the fig lyrata

In case you don’t know, the fig lyrata It is a plant that can be adapted both indoors and outdoors. Outside the houses it can easily reach 20 meters even when planted in a pot. However, in the interior it does not reach that much, although it does maintain its tree-like appearance.

It is characterized by being perennial and the most striking thing about it are the leaves. These are quite large, bright strong green, and lyre-shaped.

Between the care of the fig lyrata you should take into account the following:

Location

As we have told you before, the fig lyrata It can be placed both indoors and outdoors.

In the first case, it is best to place it in semi-shade, or directly in the shade if you live in an area with a lot of sun. If you want to keep it indoors, you can put it in a room where you control the light and temperature.

Light and Shade

Undoubtedly, lighting is one of the care of the fig lyrata that you must follow strictly, since if you do not provide what the plant needs, it begins to weaken. And is that this it needs a lot of light. But indirect.

If the sun hits it, the only thing you are going to do is burn the leaves. That is why it is better to place it in a very bright place but not next to windows, or if you do it, have the curtains as a barrier.

Above all, where it should give the light is not at the base, but at the top.

Temperature

From fig lyrataone of the important cares is the temperature at which the plant must be. Its origin is tropical Africa, so warm temperatures are its natural habitat. But what about the cold?

In general, if you provide a temperature above 20 degrees will be great. Although if the temperature is very high and it is also dry heat, it does not withstand long periods of time.

As for the cold, below 15 degrees the plant will begin to suffer. That is why it is recommended to place it in a place where the stable temperature can be maintained.

Flower pot

Whether you are going to place it outdoors or indoors, in both cases you can think about putting it in a pot. This must have drainage holes, because although it likes humidity, it needs no puddles in the roots.

Also, if these holes are more or less large, you will help the plant to “talk to you.” And, when you see that the roots begin to come out, it will be telling you that it needs a transplant.

Earth

Along with the pot, another fundamental aspect of caring for the fig lyrata It is the land that you are going to use. In this case it is not too demanding, and with a universal substrate it will have the necessary nutrients. But if you prefer a better “food”, try making a mixture of worm castings, peat moss and coconut fiber. To all that add perlite or vermiculite, which will help to have the drainage you need.

Irrigation

Water a fig lyrata it doesn’t have much mystery. Due to the origin of the plant, it is necessary to keep the soil moist, but without flooding it. Therefore, you must ensure that the earth does not dry out completely, nor does it drown it with water.

Depending on where you live, the watering will be more or less usual. For instance, as a general rule it is said that in winter it has to be watered once a week and, in summer, two to three times. But if you live in a hot area, you may need more often.

Of course, do not pour water on the leaves because you could cause pests or diseases to appear.

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If you want to pay your fig lyratathen you have to wait for the warmer months, since in that period it will be in full growth.

The best fertilizer for this plant, as it happens with the earth, is the green plant fertilizer or organic compost.

Pruning

Although it is said that the fig lyrata indoors it does not need pruning, the truth is that, as it grows, you will have to cut it to maintain its size. Otherwise, it can grow too large and even change its appearance to that of a tree (and it may not be what you want).

Pruning is done only once a year, in late winter and early spring. Then you can do a gentle pruning to remove some branches or leaves that come out of the guide.

Transplant

Before we have told you that, when a fig lyrata The pot is too small for him, he usually begins to pull the roots out of it. When transplanting it, you can do it to a new pot or outdoors.

The transplantation of fig lyrata usually occurs every 1-2 years, and after having it indoors there will be a time when it has grown so much that you need to put it outside the home. If that happens, you should provide it with a semi-shaded location and a large, nutrient-filled hole so it can get a good grip.

Plagues and diseases

From the care of the fig lyrata that you least want to consider, pests and diseases are one of them. In general, it is prone to the appearance of pests and fungi when there is an excess of humidity. You will notice it because the leaves begin to yellow and you will see that the plant takes on a weaker appearance.

As for diseases, you have to have beware of an excess or lack of light (dry leaves or leaves that fall too much respectively), as well as excessive or insufficient watering (the leaves will be limp and wrinkled on themselves).

Do you have any doubts about the fig lyrata and your cares? Tell us and we will try to help you.