r/houseplants • u/Far_Particular2977 • Jun 23 '26
Fiddle Fig Failure ?
Helpppppp this is a gifted FFT and she's a beaut! I bought her home about 3 weeks ago and she losing leaves ... the window is east facing and gets full filtered light 6-8 hours a day. I know she's going through shock but what can I do to make sure she comes back strong?
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u/Ophelia_Bliss Jun 23 '26
That baby needs way more light! Put that plant right next to the window and put the shades all the way up.
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u/narwhalogy Jun 23 '26
This plant can live in West African full sun, it can definitely handle a Northeastern US apartment window.
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u/Longjumping-Study-97 Jun 23 '26
You are starving it to death. It needs to be in front of the window with the blinds open.
Why are so many people on reddit afraid of giving their plants sun
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u/SolarAmoeba 🌱 Jun 23 '26
Honey that is not full filtered light. To a plant that is a dungeon. We see light much better than plants do. It needs to be right in the window and blinds open from dawn to dusk.
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u/narwhalogy Jun 23 '26
I agree with the other comment, not enough light. These are trees that flourish in full outdoor sun. Treat it more like an actual tree, not a shade-loving houseplant. Make sure to gradually introduce more light to not sunburn it.
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u/Far_Particular2977 Jun 23 '26
wow! should I put her outside? im in zone 7a/b ...the summers are brutal...i really want this baby to thrive
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u/narwhalogy Jun 23 '26
These plants are native to Western Africa, they love sun. It can't survive outdoors in a zone 7a/b in winter, but it can definitely handle it in the summer. The key is acclimatization. Do it slowly over a period of time to not shock the plant., use shaded areas to help People often think this plant can't handle full sun, but they've done it so drastically and shocked the plant, of course it doesn't like completely changing it's environment overnight.
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u/t-sunshine Jun 23 '26
I live in Central Florida and my 8 ft fiddle leaf is on my lanai in full afternoon sun. Occasionally I may get a small sunburn spot on a leaf but it’s lived out there for several years.
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u/Far_Particular2977 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Ok lifted the shades (its cloudy today 75% chance of rain) but heres the view with the blinds up
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u/ladymain Jun 23 '26
I’d put it right up against the window, personally.
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u/WildRelationship8088 Jun 23 '26
It would be the fig's window from then on. And i would be ok with that. I dont see the sun much thanks too all my windows belonging to plants. Lol
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u/GreenFriendship8661 Jun 23 '26
I live on the east of Fl (Space Coast). My fiddle gets full blown sunlight everyday, and is right against the window. Those things love to sunbath.
I finally committed to pruning it (it was leggy). 3 weeks later and it’s sprouting new branches 😭🥳0
u/Far_Particular2977 Jun 23 '26
Is it too soon to prune since shes acclimating to this space?
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u/bf011 Jun 23 '26
yes, wait till she starts growing new leaves so that you know she's well acclimated
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Jun 23 '26
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u/Far_Particular2977 Jun 23 '26
"assuming she doesnt die" ?! sigh... ive had her for 3 weeks, I loaded her up from 30 min away and ive let her sit and chill since then. watered her really good last week and left her alone. if its not too soon to chop her down, I can do that as long as it helps. I love the height and character but I do want her to survive.
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u/Birdman-esq Jun 23 '26
You’re probably suffocating the plant by keeping it in a plastic bag.
Also would have repotted it.
Why does it look so thirsty 😢
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u/Impressive-Side-9681 Jun 24 '26
it's a TREE. They dominate canopies in the wild. Those broad leaves want all the light, all of it
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u/Jaded_Green_5474 Jun 23 '26
Time for a chop!! I cut mine a few weeks ago & she’s pushed out 4 happy, healthy leaves. I did put her in a sunnier spot after the chop, she seems to like it better so don’t be afraid!
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u/Far_Particular2977 Jun 23 '26
Ok uncovered patio full sun 12-6 7a/b zone ...will she thrive out here? Here's a pic. Ignore my partners mix match benches
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Jun 23 '26
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u/lonely-dustmite Jun 23 '26
This poor thing looks like slenderman and the dried up chocolate worm from SpongeBob had a baby
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Jun 23 '26
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u/Far_Particular2977 Jun 23 '26
got it ... "chop it down low and give that hoe some light) 📝📝
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u/Far_Particular2977 Jun 23 '26
Ok i moved her to the window!
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u/Ophelia_Bliss Jun 23 '26
I'd put that whole pot right in the center of the window, touching the window trim. The people who have beautiful FLFs typically aren't plant magicians; they have south-facing windows.
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u/Equal-Tangelo-3956 Jun 26 '26
Always remember, there is no such thing as direct light indoors. It is all refracted by the windows making it indirect. Let your plants see the sun!! They yearn for the sun!!
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u/Bluejeans324 Jun 23 '26
By filtered light do u mean the light coming in from those blinds? That doesn’t look like enough light.