The fiddle leaf fig is a most popular indoor plant for its graceful silhouette and it is best recognized by its levity, dark green, and broad leaves. Only proper nutrients can make the plant bushy and green.
But some experts say that fiddle leaf figs don’t need fertilizer. But it is not logical. Besides. good pot, right potting mix, proper watering, they should also need the proper nutrients.
If you don’t feed the right fertilizer, the growth of your fiddle leaf fig plant growth will stunt, bottom leaves become yellow or fade, and lastly, the leaves fall off.
So, if you want a healthier bushy fiddle leaf fig tree that has large, heavily veined, violin-shaped dark green uprighted leaves, you must feed the best fiddle leaf fig fertilizer to the plant.
But the question; what is the best fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig trees?
In short, the balanced fertilizer which has an equal ratio of NPK, or the foliage fertilizer which contains a higher amount of nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Also, that fertilizer has to contain some other macro and micronutrients.
For your convenience, I have listed and reviewed the 10 best fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig that will help you to pick the perfect fertilizer for your fiddle leaf fig tree.
In a Hurry? Here is the overall best fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig that you can purchase right now-
Best Fertilizer for Fiddle Leaf Fig-Comparisons
| Fertilizer | NPK | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Arts Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Fertilizer | 3-1-2 | Liquid | |
| EarthPods Fiddle Leaf Fig Organic Fertilizer | .2-.2-.4 | Capsule | |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig Fertilizer by Perfect Plants | 16-5-11 | Granular | |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Plant Food for Ficus Lyrata | 3-1-2 | Liquid | |
| Botanicare NCNS17GQT Fertilizer | 3-1-2 | Liquid | |
| Dyna-Gro DYFOL008 Foliage Pro | 9-3-6 | Liquid | |
| Espoma INPF8 Organic Indoor Plant Food | 2-2-2 | Liquid | |
| Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food | 1-1-1 | Liquid | |
| Jobes 5001T Houseplant Plant Food | 13-4-5 | Spike |
Best Fertilizer for Fiddle Leaf Fig-Reviews
1.Aquatic Arts Fiddle Leaf Fig Fertilizer-Best Fertilizer For All Type of Ficus
Let’s analyze this fertilizer-
You may know;
Nitrogen is the main component of chlorophyll and chlorophyll aids to occur photosynthesis. More photosynthesis means more new green leaves. That’s why nitrogen is important for growing strong foliage with healthy, robust leaves. The good news; this fertilizer has 3% nitrogen to meet the demand of nitrogen.
Also, it has 2% phosphorus and 1% potassium for developing solid root systems, strong root branches, and making the plant healthy overall.
The bottom line:
The perfect NPK ratio(3-2-1) of this natural fig tree fertilizer can take care of your fiddle leaf fig tree safely with no risk of burning.
Besides NPK, it also contains some other essential plant nutrients that help your plant to reduce the yellow or brown edge of leaves.
It is a liquid and easy to feed fertilizer that is perfect for ficus including Ficus Lyrata, Ficus Audrey, Ficus Religiosa, Ficus Elastica, Ficus Benjamina, and so on.
So, if you want a healthy fiddle leaf fig tree with broad green leaves, strong stems, and roots, mix 1 teaspoon of this fertilizer with 2 cups of water, pour the solution around the base of your plant and water.
2.EarthPods Ficus + Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Fertilizer-Best Organic Capsule for FLF
As you saw, it has little amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. But why am I telling you that this is best? Keep on reading to know why.
Firstly, you should know liquid fertilizer has a huge chance to leach out through the water. That’s why liquid fertilizer has a higher amount of nutrients. But this fertilizer is coated for slow release and comes in pods form that releases slowly depending on the plant’s need and reduces the chance of leaching out.
So, the .2-.2-.4 NPK ratio is enough for enhancing the foliar growth, root growth, and health of the plant.
Moreover, this fertilizer has 70 trace elements, humic & fulvic acid that helps to protect the plant from environmental stress and diseases.
The best part of this fertilizer; It contains beneficial fungi and microbes that improve soil health as well as the plant.
All the nutrients of this fertilizer are derived from some organic compounds that make it completely safe for kids and pets.
This fertilizer comes with 100 capsules. To feed your fiddle leaf fig tree, simply push the capsule into the potting soil per 2-3 weeks later. 1-2 capsules are enough for a small fig tree. You can add more capsules if the plant is medium or large. Read the label for dosages.
3.Fiddle Leaf Fig Slow Release Fertilizer by Perfect Plants-Best Organic Granular Fertilizer for FLF
This fertilizer has 16% nitrogen,5% phosphorus, and 11% potassium, and good news; it contains both water-soluble and insoluble nutrients.
That means water-soluble nutrients release quickly and feed your plant instantly. In contrast, water-insoluble nutrients release slowly and feed your fig plant slowly and continuously up to 6 months. So, don’t worry about the higher ratio of the NPK. It can feed your fig tree calmly with no risk of damage or burn.
As I told the nutrients to release slowly. That’s why you don’t need to feed your fiddle leaf fig until 6 months after feeding this fertilizer once. Sounds impressive, right?
Also, it contains some other plant nutrients such as 6.4% Sulfur, .05% Copper, .89% Iron,.11% Manganese,.05% Zinc.
So, if you want an organic,slow-release fertilizer, this is the best fertilizer for your fiddle leaf.
To feed this fertilizer to fiddle leaf fig plant-
Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. of fertilizer per 3 inches diameter of the pot, water the plant, and get a healthy plant with darker green leaves and new levity foliage.
4.Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Plant Food for Ficus Lyrata-Best Liquid Fertilizer for FLF
It is a well-balanced fertilizer for providing optimal nutrients to the fiddle leaf fig tree for producing new lush leaves, healthier roots, and stronger stems
Moreover, All the nutrients are derived from organic compounds and coated for slow release. So this chemical and urea free fertilizer can be applied to the plant without the risk of burn or damage.
The best part of this fertilizer is-
It contains calcium that promotes cell wall formation. Improper cell wall formation can be the cause of leaves drop. But this fertilizer protects your fiddle leaf fig plant from leaves dropping for improper cell wall formation.
If you want a flourishing fiddle leaf fig, mix 1 teaspoon per 2 cups of water and feed your plant once per week.
5.Botanicare NCNS17GQT Fertilizer-Best Synthetic Fertilizer for FLF
You know, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the primary nutrients that increase sturdier vegetative growth, root development and make the plant healthy. And this fertilizer has 3% nitrogen,1% phosphorus, and 2% potassium for making your fiddle leaf fig bushy and healthy.
Moreover, it also contains 3%,calcium, 0.5% magnesium,0.005% manganese and some other essential nutrients.All are essential for cell development, promoting photosynthesis and increasing other nutrients absorbency of fiddle leaf fig tree.
This fertilizer comes in concentrated form. Mix 10 ml with cups of water, pour the solution around the base of the fiddle leaf fig plant.
6.Dyna-Gro DYFOL008 Foliage Pro-Best Fertilizer for Foliage Plant
Dyna-Gro DYFOL008 Foliage Pro is another best foliage fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig trees. It contains almost 16 essential plant nutrients.
According to the NPK number,it contains 9% nitrogen,3% phosphorus and 6% potassium.And you know these three primary nutrients are essential for new foliage growth, strong stems, and roots.
This fertilizer has a larger amount of nitrogen that helps to make your fiddle leaf tree bushy and more green.
Did you notice most of the liquid fiddle leaf fig fertilizer has a 3-1-2 NPK ratio?
That means; that is the most recommended ratio of liquid fertilizer for the fiddle leaf fig tree. I am telling you that because this liquid fertilizer also contains a 3-2-1 NPK ratio, but the concentration is 3x more than others.
It is not organic and also best for other indoor foliage plants. Mix ⅓ teaspoons or 3 ml into 2 cups of water, pour the solution around the base of the plant, and apply water.
7.Espoma Company INPF8 Indoor Plant Food-Best Organic Liquid Fertilizer for FLF
It has an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; that’s why it is called balanced fertilizer. The NPK ratio of this fertilizer is 2-2-2.
The best parts of this fertilizer-
It is an organic fertilizer. The nutrients of this fertilizer are derived from some organic compounds such as hydrolyzed poultry manure, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed fish protein, bone meal, and kelp extracts.
Moreover, It has both water-soluble and insoluble nutrients for feeding constantly and slowly. Also, it contains some soil microbes that improve soil health and enhances the growth of fiddle leaf fig plants.
To feed your fiddle leaf fig plant-
Mix 1 cap per quart of water and apply on your fig once per 2-4 weeks.
If you need fertilizer for other houseplants including fiddle leaf fig, you should pick this best organic houseplant fertilizer that is perfect for fiddle leaf fig as well as other houseplants.
Here is the list of some other indoor plant fertilizer that is also best for fiddle leaf fig-
How often Should Fertilize Fiddle Leaf Fig?
If you want a quick answer, then I will say fertilize your fiddle leaf fig once per month. But this schedule may vary depending on the fertilizer concentration, type, soil quality(to get the nutrient riched soil for fiddle leaf fig, check this article), and plant health.
The best idea is to read the label of your fertilizer and follow their schedule strictly. According to the expert and most of the fertilizer label, apply fertilizer once every 2-4 weeks.
When is the Best Time to Apply Fertilizer on FLF?
Generally, the growing season is the best time to apply fertilizer on fiddle leaf fig, and spring and summer are the growing seasons for fig. But you may apply fertilizer whenever you water your plant except winter. Winter is the dormant season. Don’t apply fertilizer in that period.
You may apply fertilizer morning or evening. Both are the best time of the day to apply water and fertilizer on FLF. But most of the experts recommend applying the fertilizer in the morning.
How to Apply Fertilizer on Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Fertilizing the fiddle fig is an effortless task. Most of my recommended fertilizer is easy to use. Some come with ready to use formula(eg. Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food). Thereafter I am sharing some basic steps of fertilizing-
- Read the label of fertilizer.
- Measure the fertilizer according to the label instruction.
- Prepare the solution and pour it around the base of the plant (for liquid fertilizer) or sprinkle the pre-measured granular fertilizer around the bottom of the plant(for granular fertilizer).
- Water the plant.
Note: Don’t pour or sprinkle all the fertilizer in one place. I will prefer to apply the fertilizer around the base of your FLF plant.
Conclusion
You can buy the fertilizer from my list or any local garden store. But before buying, read the fertilizer label carefully. First, check the NPK number. It should be equal like 1-1-1 or 2-2-2, OR the 1st number(N) should be higher than others like 3-1-2 or 9-3-6. Then check nutrients sources, the amount of others that contained nutrients, and other features like slow-release, organic, etc.
Now feed the best fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig and get a lush green, bushy stronger plant that makes your guest jealous.
