With its enormous glossy leaves and sculptural silhouette, the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) remains one of the most striking indoor plants you can bring home. Unfortunately, it also has a reputation for being rather particular about how it likes to live. If you suspect you’re killing your fiddle leaf fig, don’t give up on it just yet. Often, a sad-looking fiddle isn’t beyond saving; it’s reacting to its environment. Too much water, too little light, sudden temperature changes and even moving it around the house can cause problems.
NEED TO KNOW
- You’re watering your fiddle leaf fig on a schedule
- You’re over-watering it
- Your fiddle leaf fig isn’t getting the right light
- It’s sitting beside a heater, air conditioner or draughty window
- You keep moving it around
- You’re treating it the same way all year
- You’re ignoring what the leaves are telling you
- How to stop killing your fiddle leaf fig
Native to tropical Africa, fiddle leaf figs prefer warmth, humidity and plenty of bright light. According to Gardening Australia, they need consistent moisture and high light levels without harsh direct sun. Once you understand those basic requirements – and how they change with the seasons – keeping one happy becomes considerably easier.
Here are the common mistakes that could be killing your fiddle leaf fig, plus what to do instead.
And, if it’s all too hard, we’ve also researched the best faux fiddle leaf figs for an everlasting, no-fuss solution.
1. You’re watering your fiddle leaf fig on a schedule
One of the biggest fiddle leaf mistakes is assuming your plant needs a drink every Sunday simply because that’s watering day.
Richard Unsworth, director of Sydney plant emporium Garden Life, previously told Home Beautiful that fiddle leaf figs like to be watered well but should also dry out slightly between waterings. Rather than giving your plant small, frequent drinks, Richard recommends thoroughly watering the potting mix when the plant needs it.
“We like to take ours outside and give them a good drenching, this allows them to really take up lots of water into the potting mix,” he says.
Gardening Australia recommends feeling the top few centimetres of soil before watering. If they’re dry, give the plant a thorough drink and allow excess water to run through the drainage holes.
Kellie Brown, co-founder and floral designer at Fig & Bloom, follows the same principle with the fiddle leaf fig kept in the Fig & Bloom studio. During the warmer growing months, she recommends checking whether the top 3–5cm of soil has dried before watering rather than relying on the calendar.
2. You’re over-watering it
Yes, you can kill your fiddle leaf fig with kindness. Fiddle leaf figs like moisture, but they don’t want their roots sitting permanently in wet soil. Gardening Australia recommends using a well-draining potting mix and allowing the top few centimetres of soil to dry before watering again.
Make sure your pot has adequate drainage and don’t allow excess water to sit in the saucer or decorative outer pot.
Brown markings can provide clues about what’s happening. Kellie says dark, soft brown patches — particularly on lower leaves — can indicate too much water, while dry, crispy brown edges are more likely to point towards insufficient water or sun scorch.
So before automatically reaching for the watering can when a leaf turns brown, check the soil.
Fiddle leaf figs from The Good Plant Co in Globe West baskets add lush greenery to this zone.
3. Your fiddle leaf fig isn’t getting the right light
If you’re killing your fiddle leaf fig despite getting the watering right, take a look at where you’ve positioned it. These aren’t plants for dark corners.
“Figs do love being in a light-filled room, but avoid positioning close to hot sunny windows where leaves may burn,” Richard says.
Gardening Australia similarly recommends a brightly lit position without direct afternoon sun. Too much harsh sunlight can result in dry, brown or scorched foliage, while insufficient light can leave your fiddle struggling to thrive.
Kellie recommends bright, indirect light during the warmer months. Because fiddle leaf figs naturally grow towards their light source, she also suggests rotating the pot periodically to encourage more even growth.
“A fiddle leaf fig runs on light and warmth. In summer it’s growing and thirsty. In winter it’s resting, the soil stays wet for days longer, and feeding it does nothing but sit in the pot.”
Kellie Brown, creative director and CEO, Fig & Bloom
4. It’s sitting beside a heater, air conditioner or draughty window
That aesthetically perfect empty corner beside the heater? Your fiddle leaf fig may disagree.
“Keep out of strong draughts of either hot or cold air – therefore also steer clear of heaters and air conditioners,” Richard says.
This becomes particularly important during an Australian winter. Kellie recommends protecting fiddle leaf figs from cold glass and draughts while also keeping them away from heating vents, which can repeatedly expose their leaves to hot, dry air.
5. You keep moving it around
It may be tempting to carry a struggling plant from room to room in search of the elusive perfect spot, but this can create another problem.
Fiddle leaf figs aren’t particularly fond of change.
A plant may drop some leaves while adjusting to a new environment, and repeatedly moving it can cause further stress. Once you’ve found a position with bright light, suitable warmth and no strong draughts, give your fiddle leaf fig time to acclimatise. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop fussing with it.
Relaxed family style prevails in this beachside Sydney home, courtesy of a custom velvet sofa from H&J Furniture, a rug bought by Lou in Morocco, oak flooring and a large fiddle leaf fig.
6. You’re treating it the same way all year
This could be the missing piece of the fiddle leaf fig puzzle. Your plant’s needs aren’t static throughout the year. Richard recommends watering more during spring and summer and less during winter, while Kellie takes the seasonal approach further, adjusting watering, feeding, light and pruning according to whether the plant is actively growing or resting.
Fiddle leaf fig care by season
| Spring and summer | Autumn and winter | |
| Water | Check the soil regularly and water thoroughly once the top few centimetres have dried. Allow excess water to drain. | Reduce watering as growth slows and the soil takes longer to dry. Check the soil rather than following your summer schedule. |
Feed | Feed during active growth. Richard recommends a slow-release fertiliser in spring or a suitable liquid feed during the growing season. | Kellie recommends stopping regular feeding while the plant is resting and resuming when active growth returns. |
| Light | Give it plenty of bright, indirect light and protect leaves from harsh direct sun. | With shorter, weaker daylight, Kellie recommends moving it closer to your brightest available window if necessary, without allowing the leaves to touch cold glass. |
| Prune | This is the best time for significant pruning and shaping because the plant is actively growing. | Avoid major pruning while growth has slowed. Remove damaged leaves if required, but save shaping for the growing season. |
Temperature | Keep conditions warm and relatively stable. | Protect it from cold windows and draughts, but don’t compensate by placing it beside a heater or heating vent. |
The takeaway? If you’re killing your fiddle leaf fig every winter despite following the same routine that worked beautifully in summer, the routine itself may be the problem.
7. You’re ignoring what the leaves are telling you
Those enormous leaves aren’t just beautiful — they can also give you an early warning that something isn’t right. Dry, crispy brown edges can indicate that the plant has become too dry or has suffered sun scorch, while darker, softer patches can be associated with excess moisture. Drooping foliage may also signal that your plant needs water.
Keep the leaves clean, too. A gentle wipe with a soft, damp cloth removes accumulated dust from their broad surface and gives you an opportunity to check for pests.
When pruning damaged or discoloured foliage, use clean, sharp secateurs. Richard also recommends looking carefully for small developing buds on the stem before pruning so you don’t accidentally remove potential new growth.
How to stop killing your fiddle leaf fig
Ultimately, fiddle leaf figs aren’t impossible to keep alive. They just aren’t particularly forgiving of extremes. Give yours bright, indirect light; keep it away from strong draughts, heaters and air conditioning; use a well-draining potting mix; and check the soil before watering rather than relying on a rigid timetable.
Most importantly, pay attention to the season. A fiddle leaf fig pushing out new leaves during a warm Australian spring has very different requirements from one sitting relatively dormant through the middle of winter.
And if yours looks less than perfect right now, don’t immediately throw it out.
“If in doubt just improve the conditions of the fig, give it the best spot and care that you can – and it will come back and shine for you!” Richard says.
For more seasonal advice, see Kellie Brown’s complete fiddle leaf fig care guide at Fig & Bloom.
