Houseplant
Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata · Moraceae
Also called: Fiddleleaf Fig, Banjo Fig
Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is a low-water houseplant well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It's a moderate-growing houseplant. Expect does not flower indoors blooms N/A indoors.
Fiddle-Leaf Fig at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Bright indirect light indoors; benefits from some gentle direct morning sun. In Tucson avoid direct midday/afternoon sun through glass, which scorches the large leaves; an east-facing window or bright filtered light is best. Rotate the plant for even growth.
- Mature size
- Indoors commonly 6-10 ft tall, 2-4 ft wide; up to 40+ ft in habitat.
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom
- Does not flower indoors, N/A indoors
- Cold hardiness
- Frost sensitive; keep above ~55-60F, ideal 65-75F. Not cold hardy outdoors in Tucson; dislikes cold drafts and sudden temperature swings.
- Soil
- Rich, well-draining peat/coir-based potting mix with perlite. Not native desert soil.
- Native range
- Lowland tropical rainforest of western and central Africa
- Best used as
- Statement indoor foliage plant, Interior/office decor accent
- Wildlife
- None relevant; grown indoors.
- Toxicity
- Toxic to dogs, cats and humans; milky latex sap irritates mouth, GI tract and skin. Keep away from pets and children.
How to grow Fiddle-Leaf Fig in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Grown indoors in Tucson. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry, about every 7-10 days; it is sensitive to both over- and under-watering. Tucson's dry indoor air means soil can dry faster in summer, but never let it sit in standing water. Use room-temperature water and leach occasionally to flush salts.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Feed monthly spring through summer with a balanced dilute liquid houseplant fertilizer (or one slightly higher in nitrogen for foliage); pause in fall/winter. Watch for iron chlorosis from alkaline Tucson water and supplement micronutrients if leaves yellow between veins.
Pruning & care
Prune in spring/summer to shape and encourage branching; remove the top to promote a tree form. Sap is an irritating latex, so wear gloves.
Notes
Grown as an indoor houseplant only in Tucson; low desert sun, aridity and frost make outdoor planting impractical. Notoriously fussy: keep it in a stable spot, avoid moving it, maintain steady moisture and watch for brown leaf-edge spots (often from inconsistent watering or salt buildup) and dropped leaves from drafts or cold. Wipe leaves to remove dust.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (houseplant care); ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder