The 5 Best Fertilizers for Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree


Using the appropriate fertilizer is important for success when growing fiddle leaf fig trees. Are you using the right ones?
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Not all fertilizers are created equal. The difference between the best ones out there and an average one is drastic. It can mean the difference between a lifeless fiddle leaf fig tree and a vibrant, healthy tree.

Finding the right plant food can be tough because there is a plethora of different products on the market that all claim the same thing of helping your fiddle leaf fig tree grow properly. With so many choices, it can lead to analysis paralysis. Furthermore, choosing the right fertilization is of utmost importance because it can literally make or break the development of your fiddle leaf fig tree. Keep reading the article below to find the highest quality nutrients for fiddle leaf fig trees that suits your needs.

What is the Ideal Fertilizer?

Fiddle leaf figs are popular ornamental trees that are native to subtropical and tropical gardens. Because of their unique, banjo-like leaves that grow up 18 inches long and 12 inches broad, they act as a striking centerpiece to any home. Furthermore, their leaves show prominent veins and a leathery texture. They are popular among interior designers and also gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Because of their big green foliage, they require fertilizers that are high in nitrogen content, which helps encourage grean, leafy growth. They grow most robustly with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2.

The quality of the product for a plant is typically dependent on two main factors. The first factor is NPK ratio and the second factor is the quality of the ingredients. Ultimately, a good product will help your tree grow strong and healthy while also promoting proper root growth.

Closer Look at Our Favorite Fertilizers

You cannot go wrong with any of these products to deliver nutrients to your fiddle leaf fig. Make sure to also check out the shot fiddle leaf fig guide below. All these products have appropriate N-P-K ratios, high quality ingredients, and show good results in actual real life scenarios.

Perfect Plants Slow-Release Fertilizer

  • N-P-K Ratio: 16-5-11
  • Type: Granules
  • Amount: 8 oz

Designed specifically to help ficus lyrata thrive, Perfect Plants Slow-Release Nutrients offers a consistent release of nutrients to plants. The pellets are easy to measure and release gradually, so the product only needs to be applied every six months. In addition, the granules are gentle and safe for the plant’s delicate roots. This mix also helps to condition the soil, which further helps ficus lyrata absorb nutrients. Gardeners who use this will find that their fig’s leaves are greener and glossier and that the trunk is more stable, making for an overall healthier plant.

Bloomingo Fertilizer

  • N-P-K Ratio: 9-18-9
  • Type: Granules
  • Amount: 8 lbs

Bloomerang Fiddle Leaf Nutrients contains the perfect balance of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus that fig trees need to grow strong, which is why it made our list. The formula is also made with Norwegian seaweed extract, which contains micronutrients that both help to encourage healthy growth within plants and also optimize and condition the soil. The formula can help to fix yellowing, brown spots, or leaf drop. In addition, the product is gentle on roots. Most importantly, this mix is made of natural, safe ingredients, so it’s safe to use indoors and around pets. Your tree will become healthier, with fuller, greener foliage, after you use Boomerang’s product.

Aquatic Arts Fig Tree Fertilizer

  • N-P-K Ratio: 3-1-2
  • Type: Water mix
  • Amount: 8 oz

Aquatic Arts Fig Tree Fertilizer helps indoor ficus lyrata, receive the nutrients they require. The product contains three parts nitrogen, one part phosphorus, and two parts potassium, which is the ideal mix of nutrients for fiddle leaf figs. Aquatic Arts product is also gentle enough to use whenever the plant is watered, so it continues to receive a steady stream of nutrients. Plants treated with it will grow stronger roots, larger, more richly colored leaves, and will be healthier and stronger overall. It can also help to prevent brown spots and root rot.

Fiddle leaf tree with luscious green leaves in front of a window

Fiddle Leaf Plant Food

  • N-P-K Ratio: 3-1-2
  • Type: Water mix
  • Amount: 8 oz

Plant Food for Ficus Lyrata is a special blend of natural ingredients that help fig trees grow stronger and healthier. The ingredients in this product are organic and are made to be gentle, so they will not burn a plant’s roots or leaves. It also contains calcium which helps to both strengthen the cell walls of a plant and create an alkaline soil. Trees treated with this liquid nutrient will be less prone to leaf drop and lime and will display fuller, healthier leaves, stronger stems, and a stronger root system.

EarthPods Fig Tree Fertilizer

  • N-P-K Ratio: Not listed
  • Type: Spikes
  • Amount: 100 spikes

EarthPods are designed to be easy to use and to deliver an optimum balance of nutrients. The fertilizer contains a mix of nutrients, humic and fulvic acids, trace minerals, and natural growth hormones. These ingredients help fiddle leaf figs produce larger, greener, glossier leaves, stronger stems and trunks, and a healthier root system. It also conditions the soil and helps to build a population of beneficial soil microbes. The EarthPod is easy to use as well. Gardeners only need to push one EarthPod into the soil near the plant. The pod will then break down and release a slow, steady stream of nutrients to the plant.

Proper fertilization has helped this banjo fig tree have green leaves

Banjo Fig Care Overview

Fiddle leaf fig trees are popular and beautiful trees. They make a beautiful, architectural statement in just about any place that you put it in your house. Its shiny, long, green leaves are quite striking. They can be difficult to keep alive though. To ensure success, you should follow these tips below.

Appropriate Amounts of Light

As with any plant, receiving enough sun is important for fiddle leaf figs. Place your tree in an eastward facing window. If you notice that your plant is leaning at all, you will want to rotate it so that it does not lean excessively in any one direction.

Be careful of westward and southward facing windows. Direct sun can cause the leaves to burn. Even though the fiddle leaf fig is native to areas that have full sun, they also have protection from nearby canopy.

Ficus lyrata growing tall with proper nutrition of top recommended fertilization

Deep Watering

As with many plants, deep watering of the soil is preferred. Leaving your tree in moist soil constantly will increase the risk of developing diseases. Instead, try to water deeply by giving water until it drains into the bottom saucer. If the water level is high in the saucer, you will want to drain the saucer. Only give water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. You can test this by gently pressing into the soil about an inch deep to see if it is moist. You generally only will want to water once per week at most, sometimes possibly even once every two weeks. You can also start picking up a pot with dried soil vs wet soil, to start to get a feel for how light the pot feels like when it is dry. 

It is also best to use well draining soil. If you don’t have well draining soil, consider using it the next time you repot your tree. Remember that you should aim to repot in the Spring and to avoid repotting in the winter. 

Imitating Its Natural Climate

Fiddle leaf figs are typically found in areas of warmer, more humid climate. They thrive perfectly well in a house but try to avoid placing them close to windows that may have constant cold drafts. In the winter when it is very dry, you can also consider misting (very sparingly) around the leaves to simulate a humid environment.

Fertilization

The ideal N-P-K ratio is 3-1-2. Fertilize your plant once during the spring and monthly throughout the summer. Be careful not to overdo it. Giving too much nutrients can cause as many issues as not giving enough. During the winter months, the plant slows down its natural growth, so it does not need additional nutrients.

A small fiddle leaf fig in a blue and white container next to a sofa

Wipe Off the Dust

Fiddle leaf fig leaves collect dust. When you notice dust collecting, gently wipe it away with a damp cloth. Not only will this make your plant appear more striking, it will also help it be able to optimize its photosynthesis.

Do Not Ingest

Even though I do not know anyone that tries to eat their trees, we thought it would be worth it to bring up this warning. Be careful because the leaves are mildly toxic to humans and pets. Ingestion can cause some mouth and gastrointestinal irritation that also might lead to vomiting.

FIddle leaf fig makes a great design piece in any room.

Wrapping it up

I hope one of the fertilizers above help you successfully grow healthy fiddle leaf fig tree that flourish. Use the tips on this page and I’m sure it will set you up for success!

Jeffrey Douglas
Jeffrey Douglas own a landscaping company and has been in the business for over 20 years. He loves all things related to lawns or gardens and believes that proper maintenance is the key to preventing problems in the first place.
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