Grow your own Lofty Fig with Ficus Altissima seeds! These seeds produce tall, sturdy trees with large, lush leaves, making them perfect for adding a touch of nature to any room. Easy to care for, these plants are a great low-maintenance alternative to the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Ficus Altissima is the less finicky cousin of the fiddle leaf fig. Fertilize every couple of weeks during the growing season.
Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) are popular and beautiful houseplants known for their large, vibrant green leaves with unique violin-shaped veins. While they are most commonly purchased as mature plants from nurseries, growing a fiddle leaf fig from seed can be an exciting and rewarding undertaking for patient and dedicated plant parents.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the entire process of starting fiddle leaf figs from seeds, from choosing viable seeds and preparing for germination to long-term care as your plant matures. Follow these tips and techniques for the best chance of success on your fiddle leaf fig seed-starting journey!
Obtaining and Selecting High-Quality Seeds
The first step in growing a fiddle leaf fig from seed is sourcing viable, fresh seeds This can often be the most challenging part, as fiddle leaf fig seeds are not widely available compared to other common houseplants Here are a few tips for finding and selecting the best seeds
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Purchase seeds from reputable online retailers that specialize in rare, exotic or unusual plant seeds. Cafe Planta and Rare Seeds are two trusted online seed shops to check out.
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Read reviews and check the seller’s reputation before ordering to avoid getting scammed by fake or mislabeled seeds. Authentic fiddle leaf fig seeds are still quite rare.
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Request only fresh seeds, ideally harvested from fruit within the past year Older seeds lose viability over time
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Look for larger seeds that appear plump and robust. Avoid small, shriveled seeds which likely won’t sprout
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Request seeds that come with care instructions or guidance to help get your plants off to a strong start.
Once you’ve obtained high-quality seeds, store them in a cool, dry place until ready to plant. Fridge storage can help maintain viability. Now let’s look at how to prep for seed germination.
Providing the Ideal Conditions for Germination
Fiddle leaf fig seeds require very specific conditions to germinate successfully. To sprout, they need high heat and humidity like that of tropical rainforests. Here are some ways to achieve ideal germination conditions at home:
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Use a heat mat or propagator set to 75-85°F to keep soil consistently warm. This kickstarts germination.
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High humidity is critical. Cover seed trays with plastic lids or plastic wrap poked with holes for ventilation.
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Use a spray bottle to mist seeds regularly, keeping them moist but not soggy. Too much direct water can cause rotting.
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Provide bright, indirect light immediately after planting. Avoid direct sun which can dry out or damage tender seeds.
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Ensure the germination setup is in a spot safe from pets or children who may disturb it.
Maintaining proper warmth, humidity and moisture levels gives fiddle leaf fig seeds the optimal chances for sprouting success. Now let’s get to planting!
Planting Fiddle Leaf Fig Seeds for Germination
Once you’ve dialed in the perfect germination environment, it’s time to actually plant those precious seeds! Follow these steps for best results:
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Fill seed trays or small pots with a well-draining soil mix. Aim for equal parts potting soil, perlite and peat or coco coir.
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Plant seeds 1⁄4 inch deep, spaced 1 inch apart. This prevents crowding and competition.
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Gently water after planting to settle soil. Mist to maintain moisture without oversaturation.
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Ensure seeded containers remain in warm area with bright indirect light and high humidity.
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Wait patiently! Germination can take 2-3 months as fiddle leaf figs mature slowly. Resist digging up seeds to check.
Proper spacing, soil, moisture and warmth gives your seeded pots the best odds of success. Now the hardest part…waiting!
Caring for Seedlings After Germination
Once you start spotting little green sprouts emerging, congratulations! Here’s how to care for fiddle leaf fig seedlings:
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Keep providing warm temps around 75°F until seedlings establish stronger root systems.
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Maintain high humidity by misting daily and keeping seedlings covered.
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Slowly acclimate seedlings to less humidity and more direct light exposure.
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Transplant into 4-6 inch pots once seedlings have 2-3 sets of true leaves.
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Use well-draining soil and gently handle delicate stems and leaves when repotting.
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Start fertilizing with diluted liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to nourish growth.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites which may target tender new growth. Isolate and treat any infestations promptly.
With attentive care, your seedlings will flourish intohealthy, vibrant baby fiddle leaf figs as they continue maturing.
Providing Ongoing Care as Fiddle Leaf Figs Mature
As your plants grow bigger and stronger, a few key things to focus on include:
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Water thoroughly when top inch of soil is dry. Mature fiddle leaf figs are prone to root rot if overwatered.
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Increase fertilizer strength slightly and apply monthly during growing season for lush growth.
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Prune strategically to maintain size and shape. Always use clean shears and cut just above nodes.
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Provide bright, indirect light from a south or west facing window. Rotate periodically for even growth.
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Repot every 2-3 years in early spring into a container only slightly larger than the current size.
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Watch for pests like spider mites and mealybugs which may hide in leaf axils. Treat promptly before infestations worsen.
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Clean leaves regularly with a damp cloth to keep their large leaves dust-free and shiny.
With time and experience, you’ll get to know your plant’s specific care needs and preferences. Enjoy watching your fiddle leaf fig flourish over the years into a treasured houseplant!
Dealing with Common Problems
Even with attentive care, issues can sometimes crop up with fiddle leaf figs. Here are some common problems and how to address them:
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Dropping leaves – This is usually a sign of overwatering, insufficient light, or sudden temperature changes. Improve drainage, move to brighter location, and maintain stable temps.
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Brown crispy leaves– Dry air and low humidity often causes this. Increase humidity through pebble trays, misting, or humidifiers. Brown edges can also indicate inconsistent watering.
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Yellow leaves – This can indicate overwatering or lack of nutrients. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings and apply a balanced fertilizer.
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Spindly growth – When plants stretch out and growth is leggy, more sunlight is needed. Gradually move to brighter location.
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Root rot – Caused by overwatering or overly dense soil. Repot in fresh aerated mix, water less frequently, and trim off dead roots before replanting.
Pay close attention to any changes in your plant’s appearance and adjust care accordingly. Your observations will inform you about what your fiddle leaf fig needs for healthiest growth.
Final Thoughts on Growing Fiddle Leaf Figs from Seed
Growing fiddle leaf figs from seeds definitely requires time, dedication and attentive care, but it can be a fun and meaningful endeavor for patient plant parents. The excitement of sprouting those big, beautiful leaves from a tiny seed is incredibly rewarding after months of effort.
Follow the tips outlined here to get your seeds successfully germinated and your seedlings healthily established. With an ideal setup and consistent care, you’ll greatly increase your chances for long-term success on your fiddle leaf fig seed-starting adventure. Remember to enjoy the journey and the many lessons you’ll learn along the way!
How Can You Grow a Fiddle Leaf Fig From Seeds?
First let’s break down the biology of plants for you. To get a seed, you need the plant to be pollinated and what you need there is a fruit, a flower, and a pollinator of some sort. Usually an insect. That’s where the problem comes in for fiddle leaf figs.
The pollination part is where things get interesting for fiddle leaf figs. Read more about how to grow a fiddle leaf fig from seeds.
Fiddle leaf figs are native in the wild in only two places on earth. Fiddle leaf figs are native to Western Africa and Australia. There they need to be pollinated by a certain type of wasp that only lives in these regions. Without this particular wasp, pollination cannot occur. Without pollination, a fiddle leaf fig cannot grow.
With a fiddle leaf fig houseplant, having the fruit and flower is very rare with a plant in houseplant conditions. Even if on the chance your fiddle leaf fig does have a fruit and flower, you would need the special wasp to come in and pollinate it. That is why the fiddle leaf fig seeds you see online are fake. Most likely they are grass seeds and you’ll waste your money and be frustrated.
In the instance that you were able to find a real ficus lyrata seed, the process of germination is extremely tough.
Customer Reviews Based on 17 reviews
Planted on 11/21 and results are starting to show. Very pleased with this product! Cant wait to see these finicky babies grow!! A
Germination rate for these seeds was lower than other varieties I had ordered. About half germinated properly. Still very hapoy with my order! G
Great packaging and planting instructions A
Seeds came in perfect conditions E
Getting ready to plant my seeds
Can I Grow Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees From Seeds? YES, but It’s Complicated.
FAQ
Can you grow a fiddle leaf fig from a seed?
Before you plant your seeds, it’s important to prepare the right environment for germination. Fiddle Leaf Fig seeds need warmth and moisture to sprout, so creating these conditions is essential. Start by choosing a location that maintains a consistent temperature.
How long do fig seeds take to germinate?
It may take a month for them to germinate and weeks after that to mature, so label them to keep track of what they are.
Can I grow a fig tree from a fig seed?
Fig trees (Ficus carica) are usually propagated from cuttings or seeds. If you want to grow a fig tree from seeds, you would need to extract the seeds from a ripe fig, clean them, and then plant them in suitable soil. However, germination can be slow, and not all seeds may sprout.
Why are fiddle leaf figs so hard to care for?
The fiddle leaf is truly one of the hardest plants to keep alive. They don’t like anything: drafts, wet soil, dry soil, too much sun, not enough sun, dry air… you name it, they don’t like it. So I’ve told you that, and you STILL want one? Yeah, I hear you.