Fiddle leaf fig trees are a type of ficus, and people like them because they have larger leaves. They can grow up to 15 meters tall outdoors and three meters indoors.
You can prevent them from growing too tall by topping them, and they look great indoors as part of your decor.
This plant is known to be slow growing, and it can take as long as 15 years to reach full maturity. It takes three or four years for it to be a good-looking plant indoors.
Can You Grow Them Faster?
When people start growing a fiddle leaf fig tree in their houses, they learn that they are slow growing. However, there are ways that you can encourage them to grow faster.
Under normal circumstances, the fiddle leaf fig tree will grow a few feet each year if they are well cared for. This means that it can reach around five or six feet tall in the third year that it is growing.
The key is to give the plant everything it needs to encourage the fastest growth possible.
1 – The Pot
Start off by making sure that you have the right sized pot. You need to make sure that there is room in the pot for the tree to grow, so the pot should be larger than the plant needs at the current time.
If the pot is too small, the tree won’t be able to grow and it will take longer. The roots won’t be able to spread out, and it will be stuck until you place it in a bigger pot.
That said, you can’t randomly choose a giant pot that is too big for the plant. You can end up with other problems, such as improperly watering it because there will be too much soil and space.
The key is to find the pot that is just the right size. It should have room for the tree to grow, but it should be small enough that it gets the water you place in the pot.
2 – Watering
Next, you need to make sure that you water your tree correctly. If you want it to grow, you need to make sure that you water it regularly.
Water is important because it is what allows nutrients to get into the roots. You should make sure that you water the tree every seven to ten days.
You should make sure that the plant actually needs to be watered before you water it by checking the soil. If the soil is still wet, you can wait a few more days, but if it is dry, go ahead and give it water.
The right way to test it is to check the top two inches of the soil, and once it is dry, water the plant. If it is wet, wait because too much water can lead to problems such as root rot, which will definitely slow the growth.
3 – Proper Draining
Another factor that impacts your tree’s growth is how well it drains. If it doesn’t drain properly, it could have some problems.
You should use a pot that has drainage holes that work, and you can test it before you place the tree inside. You can also place gravel on the bottom under the soil to make sure it drains well.
This will prevent soil from clogging the holes and holding the water inside the pot. The soil should also have good drainage properties, and it shouldn’t hold the water inside.
4 – Lighting
Another important factor in the growth of your tree is the lighting. If you have the right conditions, the tree will grow faster.
This plant wants to have bright light consistently, but it should be filtered. Direct sunlight will be too harsh for this plant, so choose a room with bright light that is filtered.
If you have windows that face to the east, they are ideal for the filtered light that the plant needs. You should avoid west-facing windows because that type of light is too strong for the tree.
5 – Soil Aeration
This factor plays a large role in how quickly your tree grows. If your soil gets compacted, it can prevent your tree from growing.
When you aerate the soil, you loosen it up so that it drains better and it won’t stifle the roots of the tree. You will know that you need to aerate the soil if you feel the top of the soil in the pot and it is hard and crusty.
You can easily aerate the soil with a gardening spade or a fork, and you will poke holes in it and move the soil around. Then rotate the tool to break up the soil a little more.
6 – Change the Soil Each Year
If you really want to encourage your fiddle leaf fig tree to grow, you should consider changing the soil each year. The best time of year is early in the spring, just before the growing season.
When you change the soil, you should check to see if it needs a larger pot. As your tree grows, you will want to transfer it to larger pots to continue encouraging it to grow.
If your tree is growing at its maximum potential, it will be ready for a larger pot each year. Make sure that when you change the soil, it drains well and is aerated.
7 – Fertilizer
Another factor that will help your fiddle leaf fig grow as much as possible is giving it fertilizer. However, make sure that you don’t overdo it.
You can give your tree fertilizer during the growing season, which is the spring and the summer. You should find a good organic fertilizer, and use it once a month.
8 – Pay Attention to Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree’s Needs
You can help your fiddle leaf fig tree grow more quickly by paying attention to everything it needs. If you do everything the right way, you won’t have to wait or figure out what you are doing wrong.
The important thing is to make sure that you give it the right kind of soil and keep it in pots that are the right size. You also need to make sure that they have the right amount of water.
You should keep a close eye on the soil because this will help you avoid over-watering the tree. If the soil is wet, wait to water it, and when it is dry, you can add water.
Other Factors That Influence Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing
In addition to the basic needs of the tree, there are other factors to consider to help you increase its ability to grow. Take a look at the following:
Temperature: This tree does best if it is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You should not let the temperature get below 55 degrees.
Propagation: You should not propagate your indoor fiddle leaf ficus. However, if you want to try it, you should take stem tip cuttings and use a rooting hormone to replant them.
Pruning: When you see leaves that are dying, you should remove them and check the plant for signs of any other problems. You can prune the top of the tree to keep it at the height you want once it has grown.
Humidity: You can improve the humidity by misting the leaves. You can also make it look better by cleaning the leaves with a soft sponge and water.
Problems to Look Out for
Your fiddle leaf fig will also have trouble growing if it suffers any problems. Be sure to keep your eye out for any of the following:
Leaf Loss: There are several different problems that can lead to leaf loss. When your tree is growing, some of the lower leaves will fall off, but this is normal.
Problems can occur if your tree doesn’t have enough water. You will notice that the leaves become discolored first, and then they will dry out before they fall off.
Another cause can be low humidity. If you have just moved the plant to a new location, it could be going through shock and it will adjust with time.
Leaves can also fall off if it is exposed to temperatures that are too cool for the tree. You will need to look at the possible causes to determine what is making the tree lose its leaves.
Dry, Brown Leaves: Another issue will cause your leaves to develop brown edges as they dry out. This is usually related to a problem with low humidity or too little water.
You can water your tree and mist it, and you need to remove the leaves that are damaged.
Soft Leaves with Brown Spots: If you notice your tree developing soft leaves with brown spots, the problem is normally either cold temperatures or too much water. Either of these problems can actually kill your tree.
Start by making sure that the soil isn’t too wet and soggy, and if it is, you should replace it quickly. You may also need to lower the humidity in the room and increase the heat.
Final Thoughts
Fiddle leaf fig trees are popular indoor plants, and they take a long time to grow. By taking the time to give your tree everything it needs, you can get it to grow more quickly.
I have two Associate’s degrees, one in Medical Assisting and the other in Computer Technician, and I am roughly five classes from a bachelor’s degree. Though I never ended up working in the medical field, I have five and a half years of experience in IT. I recently became a stay-at-home mom to my two young boys, and I’m so excited to start this adventure with them! In my spare time, I love to bake and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on.