Repotting a fiddle leaf fig is something that most plant owners will have to do after a time. Though repotting a plant is crucial for its health, if done incorrectly, it can be traumatic for your plants. Fiddle leaf figs are often “shocked” by the repotting process, but you can minimize the effects of it on your plant by using the potting process below. It’s important to know the right way to repot a fiddle leaf fig.
If You Are Repotting From A Nursery Pot
If you are just bringing your fiddle leaf fig home, you are probably doing so in one of those heavy black nursery pots. These pots aren’t exactly fashion-forward, so I can see why many are excited to get it into another pot of some kind. To repot a new fiddle leaf fig, I recommend doing so immediately.
The plastic pots these plants come in have tons of drainage holes which keep the plant from developing root rot. But even still, the plant has likely been overwatered at the nursery. Upon purchase, do not wait to repot your fiddle leaf fig.
Step One) Remove the plant from its nursery container and gently remove as much soil from the roots as you possibly can. You can use water to help dislodge some of the soil bits. Clean off as much of the nursery soil as you possibly can. This will also help reduce the risk of spreading pests from the nursery to your other houseplants.
Step Two) After you have removed soil from the roots, fill your container four inches full of regular indoor potting soil. Do not use succulent mix or mulch from your garden. It is important that you pick a pot that has a drainage hole in the bottom and a saucer that collects the drained water. Fiddle leaf figs are susceptible to root rot, and the hole will help to keep plants aerated and dry.
Step Three) Place the tree into the potting soil, pouring more in and packing it down firmly. Water the tree thoroughly and add any additional soil to the top if plant roots are exposed. Let the plant sit for a few minutes and then drain the water from the saucer.
Step Four) Keep an eye on your tree over the next month, fertilizing the soil exactly one month after you have repotted.
If You Are Re-potting An Old Fiddle Leaf Fig
If you are re-potting an established fiddle leaf fig from a small pot to a bigger one, make sure that you only do so when the top roots are exposed in the soil. Once exposed, wait for new growth to appear to make the pot switch. Learn more about that here.
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