What is Ficus Lyrata?
Commonly known as fiddle leaf fig, Ficus lyrata is a flowering plant species known for its large leaf blades—and is nicknamed because of the leaf’s structural shape. The semi-lobed, oval-shaped wide fan-like blades were once known to be used in the rolling of cigars in the early years but are known as a significant household beautiful plant.
Appearance and Characteristics
A fiddle leaf fig plant comprises a luscious evergreen tree that ranges from height 5m to 15m; the leaves are broad and are ovate shaped, ranging from 30cm to 50cm in width. The leaves are green to dark green, depending on their health, and are usually distinctively leathery and shiny—thus making them attractive.
Ficus Lyrata is not a flowering plant. Although it cannot produce fruits, it can produce figs that are 2.5cm-3cm in width when in the wild, but not when they are placed inside.
Its trunk can grow thick, and some larger ones break easily because of the tight branches. Its height might seem like an overcrowding tree variant that may be overgrown in your living room.
Quick summary
Botanical Plant Name: Ficus lyrata pronounced FYE-Kuss lye-RAY-tuh under a Family Moraceae
Native to: Ficus lyrata is native to western Africa rainforests from Cameroon West to Sierra Leone, from Liberia to Gabon. These lowland rainforests in Western Africa house the wild, non-domesticated growth of Ficus lyrata because the reproduction of the plant is based on the local species of wasp. The species of wasp help the reproduction of the fidle leak plant.
Care: They require lots of moderately unfiltered sunlight when placed inside and also need a well-watered, well-drained, and properly aerated soil that receives proper and constant watering. They also need adequate pruning to cut out vestigial parts, taking away essential nutrients.
Size: In the home, standard fiddle fig plants will grow to a height reaching 15m but will grow up to 25 feet in the wild. The leaf sizes range from 15cm to 50cm.
Common Problems: Due to their large leaf size, there is an easy spread of diseases in the form of brown spots around the whole plant. Also, root rots are common in older plants. They drop their leaves quickly.
Toxicity: Fiddle fig plants are potentially toxic, causing skin irritation and the eyes to tear up. If the poisonous sap is ingested, it can cause temporary slight dementia to the person.
Plant inspiration tip: looking for inspiration, then check out the cultivar Calathea White Star.
How to take care of Ficus Lyrata
Despite the new popularity of Ficus Lyrata in new home design, it is challenging to take care of as it reacts negatively to various forms of stimulus when in excess.
Sunlight requires bright, indirect, and filtered light—more like excess rays as it cannot tolerate direct scorching sun; else it loses its beauty. Ensure to place it near a window that receives adequate sun rays as low exposure to sunlight can also cause adverse effects on the overall plant. Watering: It is recommended to water two to three times a week to keep the soil moist and not excessively wet to avoid brown spots, leaf drops, and root rot.
Humidity & Temperature: The optimal temperature range of 15-24 degrees Celsius; anything above or below this range is not recommended. Also, the ideal humidity level should be between 30% to 60%.
Cleaning: Use a low-pressure spray bottle to wash the leaves off dust and dirt, wipe using a cloth. You can also mix water and liquid soap in a 10:1 ratio. Additionally you can use soft cotton pads to clean each leaf and dry with a clean cloth.
Fertilizing & soil: It is best to plant or introduce fertilizers with a high nitrogen content once or twice a month. Preferably an NPK fertilizer that contains a high amount of nitrogen because these plants crave them.
Repotting: It is advised to repot Ficus lyrata plants annually, as these plants are known for their quick growth. Most likely you need to increase the pot size annually to have enough space for the growth of the plant.
Plant inspiration tip: does your home need more life, then check out the tropical Jessenia pothos.
How and When to Prune Ficus lyrata
The best time to prune Ficus lyrata is during Spring, as the sunlight rays and environmental conditions are perfect for healing after pruning. It is necessary to prune with a pair of sterilized and sharp shears to avoid reintroducing infections and causing damage to the stems of the plants.
Decide on the height and shape of the plant, use the shears to cut accordingly. Remove any damaged leaves, branches, or crossed branches. Ensure the shears snap the stems immediately and not crease or squeeze the roots; also, let each cut be an inch away from the nearest leaf stalk to avoid infection and slow growth.
Problems with Ficus lyrata
It is slightly poisonous as they cause temporary dementia if the stalk sap is ingested. Ficus lyrata are also needy and require constant attention. These plants suffer from root rot infestation frequently, especially the older ones, and diseases spread quickly.
How to propagate?
Propagating requires equipment like; a rooting gel. A section of the roots to be propagated, cups, and water. Water propagation is one of the most accessible forms, as it guarantees the growth of the stem and saves the plants from stress.
Get the stem about to be propagated about 1-2 inches in height and remove any leaves that may be attached. Clean off the saps with a clean piece of cloth and dip the stem tip in the rooting gel to facilitate growth.
Place the stem in a jar of distilled water. Ensure only the stem tip is in contact with water; else, root rot may occur. Place in a well-lit area that has sufficient, indirect access to sunlight.
Ensure the propagation is monitored and the water level is changed regularly and topped off to remain fairly constant. It may take 2 to 6 weeks to see some whitish growth beneath the stem tip that signifies the growth of root strands.
Plant inspiration tip: does your home need something special, then check out the tropical Chlorophytum comosum “Variegatum”.
Common FAQs
What is so special about Ficus lyrata?
They are perfect ornamental plants that add beauty, class, and exuberance to the home’s beauty because of their aesthetically pleasing physical appearance. Also, they have a usual pollination mechanism as the wasp species responsible only live in the Western African lowland rainforest. It has also gained recognition of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Are Ficus lyrata good indoor plants?
Ficus lyrata is a perfect indoor plant, as they are known for their air-cleansing property. They trap dirt and dust in the atmosphere, thus providing the room it stays in with fresher air to breathe in.
Can a Ficus lyrata plant live in low light?
Yes, Ficus lyrata can survive in low light as long as all other necessary growth conditions are supplied.
Summary
Ficus lyrata is an air-cleansing, leathery, and glossy ornamental plant that grows in Western Africa known for its beauty. It requires fair bit of requirements for growth and can be maintained easily, although a little poisonous (toxic sap) when ingested.