How to Grow and Care for Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig

Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a variegated fiddle leaf fig.

• Provide 6 to 8 hours of bright, indirect light per day.
• Plant in a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter.
• Fertilize regularly during the spring and summer.
• Allow the top half of the soil to dry between waterings.
• Keep your plant in a warm, humid environment.

Light

Plenty of bright, indirect light is essential for the variegated fiddle leaf fig. That being said, be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight as the leaves will burn easily. Choose a bright, east facing window, or set the plant back a couple of feet from a west or south-facing window.

Soil

Plant your variegated fiddle leaf fig in a loose, well-draining potting mix that is high in organic content. The soil should retain some moisture while wicking extra water away from the plant’s roots. A combination of indoor potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark mix is ideal.

Water

Allow the top half of the soil to dry out and then water thoroughly. Be sure to let any excess water drain from the pot after watering to prevent waterlogged soil. In spring and summer you will need to water your fiddle leaf fig more frequently than in fall and winter, when the plant goes into dormancy.

Temperature and Humidity

Like the standard fiddle leaf fig, variegated fiddle leaf figs do best in warm temperatures and humid conditions. Keep temperatures between 64 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 26 degrees Celsius) during the day and no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) at night.

While variegated fiddle leaf figs can survive in average household humidity levels, they will do best with some added humidity. Placing a small humidifier close to the plant is a great way to increase humidity levels, or you can opt to grow your fiddle leaf fig in a naturally humid room of the home like a bathroom or laundry room. Either way, aim for humidity levels around 50% to 60%.

Fertilizer

During spring and summer, feed your variegated fiddle leaf fig with a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and will support this plant’s leafy growth. Stop fertilizing in fall when temperatures begin to drop and the plant starts to enter dormancy.

Propagating Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig

Propagation is a great way to grow new plants, and encourage your fiddle leaf fig to grow fuller and branch more vigorously. Variegated fiddle leaf figs can be propagated by stem or branch cuttings, just like regular fiddle leaf figs, although the process is a bit trickier and less reliable. Here’s what you need to know about propagating variegated fiddle leaf figs by branch cuttings.

1. Using a pair of clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors, take a stem or branch cutting with at least one to two leaves and three to four nodes along the cutting.
2. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting, leaving the nodes exposed and at least one leaf at the top of the cutting.
3. Fill a glass vase or container with room temperature water and place the cutting in the water, keeping the leaves above the surface.
4. Place the cutting in a location that receives bright, indirect light, and refresh the water once a week. After a couple of weeks, small white roots will begin to grow along the stem.
5. Once the roots are at least one inch long, plant the cutting in well-draining soil and water it thoroughly.
6. Return the freshly planted cutting to a bright location and keep the soil evenly moist for the first one to two weeks to help the roots acclimate to soil.

Potting and Repotting Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig

Variegated fiddle leaf figs, like regular fiddle leaf figs, grow well in small pots and don’t need to be repotted often. Once the roots begin to grow from the pot’s drainage holes, it is time to repot. If possible, wait until the spring or summer months to repot the plant since it is actively growing.

Choose a new potting container that is only a few inches wider in diameter than the previous container and refresh as much of the soil as you can during repotting. After repotting, return the plant to its original location to minimize shock.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Variegated fiddle leaf figs are susceptible to a range of common houseplant pests and diseases. Most notably, keep an eye out for sap-sucking pests like mealybugs and scale, who love this plant’s latex-like sap. Fungus gnats and thrips can also be a problem. Also, keep an eye out for common diseases like root rot and fungal leaf spot diseases.

Common Problems With Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig

Variegated fiddle leaf figs are notoriously tricky to grow indoors. Keep an eye out for these common problems.

Leaf Loss

Like regular fiddle leaf figs, it’s not unusual for a variegated fiddle leaf fig to seemingly lose most of its leaves overnight. Fiddle leaf figs don’t appreciate changes to their environment, and may experience dramatic leaf loss if conditions are changed too quickly.

Usually, this is a result of lighting or temperature and humidity changes, but can also be attributed to infrequent watering as well. If you do need to make a change to your plant’s environment, it’s best to do so slowly and acclimate the plant gradually to its new space.

Brown Leaves

Leaves developing brown spots and brown edges are also common among fiddle leaf figs of all types. Usually, it’s due to improper watering or a lack of humidity, but it can also be a sign of fungal leaf spot diseases.

Trim off the leaves that are developing brown spots or edges, and evaluate your plant’s growing environment to determine what may be going wrong. Ensure that you are allowing the soil to partially dry between waterings and keep your plant away from air vents or drafty windows that can dry out the air.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves are a common problem among most houseplants and the variegated fiddle leaf fig is no exception. It’s not unusual to see old leaves turn yellow and fall off as part of the leaf’s natural life cycle, but if you are noticing new leaves turning yellow or numerous leaves turning yellow at once, this can be a sign of a bigger problem. Usually, it’s an indication that your plant isn’t receiving enough light or is experiencing either overwatering or underwatering.