Should You Use Cactus Soil for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig?

Fiddle leaf figs are gaining popularity as houseplants, and for good reason. Their large, vibrant leaves add style and intrigue to any indoor space. However, caring for a fiddle leaf fig requires paying close attention to its soil needs. Many plant owners wonder if they can simply use cactus soil instead of a specially formulated potting mix.

An Overview of Cactus Soil

Cactus soil is a fast-draining potting mix designed for arid plants like cacti and succulents The key ingredients are

• Coarse sand or perlite – Improves drainage to prevent soggy soil. Makes up 50-60% of the mix.

• Peat or coco coir – Retains some moisture. Makes up 10-30% of the mix

• Compost or worm castings – Provides nutrients. Makes up 10-20% of the mix.

Some cactus soils also contain a small amount of soil or clay pellets for additional weight and drainage

The biggest benefit of cactus soil is the excellent drainage it provides. The large particles create air pockets for roots to breathe. However, these soils retain very little moisture and nutrients can wash out quickly. Cactus soil has an acidic pH around 5.5-6.5.

Pros and Cons of Using Cactus Soil for Fiddle Leaf Figs

Here are the main pros and cons to consider when using a cactus soil for your fiddle leaf fig:

Pros:

• Provides quick drainage to prevent overwatering
• Loose texture resists compaction
• Allows good airflow to roots
• Readily available and affordable

Cons:

• Drainage may be too excessive
• Can dry out too quickly
• Lack of moisture retention
• Nutrients leach out rapidly
• Lower pH than ideal for figs
• May need more frequent fertilization

The fast drainage of cactus soil is beneficial for fiddles, which hate soggy roots. But the tradeoff is that it may struggle to retain adequate moisture between waterings.

The slightly acidic pH also isn’t ideal, as fiddle leaf figs prefer a more neutral soil around 6.5-7. This may inhibit their ability to take up nutrients effectively.

Best Practices for Using Cactus Soil

If you want to use a cactus or succulent potting mix for your fiddle leaf fig, here are some tips:

• Amend it with compost or worm castings – Add up to 30% extra organic matter to improve moisture retention and provide nutrients.

• Mix in some coco coir or peat moss – This will help buffer the fast drainage and retain more water.

• Add controlled-release fertilizer – The nutrients in cactus soil wash out quickly, so adding slow-release granules provides a steady feed.

• Water more frequently – Check soil daily and don’t let it dry out completely between waterings. Remove excess water from drainage tray.

• Monitor for signs of underwatering – Drooping, wrinkled leaves indicate it needs more frequent watering.

• Repot annually – Refresh soil to restore moisture retention and prevent compaction.

With some amendments and careful watering, cactus soil can be suitable for fiddle leaf figs. Pay close attention in the weeks after repotting to ensure it is getting adequate moisture.

Alternative Soil Options for Fiddles

If you want to avoid the hassles of amending cactus soil, here are some ready-made potting mixes that work well for fiddle leaf figs:

• Indoor plant soil – Look for mixes containing peat or coco coir for moisture retention. Add extra perlite for drainage.

• Orchid potting mix – Orchid mixes contain bark and moss to provide air pockets. They tend to retain moisture well.

• Tropical plant soil – Designed for rainforest plants. Often contains coco coir and compost for moisture and nutrients.

• Soilless mixes – Combinations of coco coir, perlite, bark fines, and vermiculite provide an ideal blend of drainage and moisture retention.

• Custom fiddle leaf fig soil – Specialty mixes are formulated with the ideal blend of amendments and pH for fiddle leaf figs.

Any quality potting soil with added perlite or bark should work well. Avoid regular garden soil, as it stays too wet. An all-purpose indoor plant mix with added amendments provides a good balance.

Creating Your Own Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil Mix

For the most control, you can create a custom soil blend tailored to fiddle leaf figs.

Aim for this composition:

• 40-50% peat or coco coir – For moisture retention
• 20-30% perlite or bark – To improve drainage
• 20-30% compost or worm castings – Nutrient source
• Optional sand, charcoal, or dry organic fertilizers

Key tips for mixing your own fiddle leaf fig soil:

• Screen out large pieces from compost and coco coir.
• Rinse peat moss before using to remove dust.
• Pastuerize soil in the oven at 180°F for 30 minutes to kill pathogens.
• Use a pH meter to test mix and adjust to 6.5-7 as needed.
• Moisten the mix well and let it sit 1-2 days before using.

With a custom mix, you can cater the soil exactly to your fiddle’s needs. Test different proportions to find the ideal balance.

The Best Soil Provides the Right Balance

When choosing any potting mix, it’s important to find the right equilibrium between drainage, moisture retention, and nutrients. Pure cactus soil may be too quick-draining for fiddle leaf figs, but with some amendments it can work. Ready-made indoor plant or tropical mixes are easier to use out of the bag. Or get full control with a homemade blend.

Pay close attention after repotting to make adjustments and maintain optimal soil conditions. With the proper soil foundation, your fiddle leaf fig will thrive!