Ficus lyrata · Fiddle-leaf fig

The plant shows the characteristic large, broad, violin/fiddle-shaped leaves with pronounced undulating margins and prominent light-colored venation typical of Ficus lyrata. The leathery dark green leaf texture, thick woody stem with visible leaf scars, and clustered rosette growth habit at the top of a tall bare trunk are all classic for this species. It's grown in a nursery pot with a thick single/braided woody stem, consistent with commercially grown fiddle-leaf figs. Some lower leaves show yellowing, likely due to overwatering or light stress, common in cultivated specimens. This matches the suspected identification well; similar-looking relatives like Ficus altissima or Ficus elastica have different leaf shapes (less lobed, more oval/elongate), ruling them out.

Generated 2026-10-06 04:19 by anthropic (claude-sonnet-5).

Light

Bright indirect light; some direct morning sun is fine but protect from harsh direct afternoon sun which can scorch the large leaves.

Water

Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, roughly every 7-10 days; reduce frequency in winter. Very sensitive to overwatering and soggy roots.

Nutrients

Balanced liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during spring and summer growing season; withhold in fall and winter.

Repotting

Repot every 1-2 years in spring as roots fill the pot; this species often prefers being slightly rootbound and grows well as a large specimen.

Soil media

Well-draining potting mix with added perlite or bark to prevent waterlogging.

Temp & humidity

65-80F; moderate to high humidity (40-60%) is ideal, though it tolerates average indoor humidity better than most tropicals.

Temperature range

🌡️ 65-80F

Humidity range

💦 40-60%

Care group

🏷️ Medium Light & Moderate Humidity

Toxicity

Contains insoluble calcium oxalates; mildly toxic if chewed or ingested by pets or people, and sap can irritate skin/eyes -- wear gloves when pruning.

Pests & diseases

Watch for spider mites and scale, especially in dry air; root rot and leaf drop are common if overwatered or if the plant is moved/shocked suddenly.

Propagation

Stem cuttings with a node root well in water or moist soil; air layering also works well for larger specimens.

Generated 2026-10-06 04:20 by anthropic (claude-sonnet-5).