Department stores can be a tough place for a plant. Most stores are filled with fluorescent lighting, and the windows are often blocked by racks of clothes or shelves of merchandise. But there are a few plants that can survive—and even thrive—in these conditions. For those seeking resilient indoor plants, explore how fiddle leaf figs survive in low-light, bringing elegance to spaces with less sunlight.
Fiddle leaf figs are one of the most popular houseplants around. Their large, vibrant leaves add a tropical feel to any space. While they prefer bright, indirect light fiddle leaf figs can still thrive in lower light conditions. It just takes a few adjustments to their care.
Here are 11 tips to help your fiddle leaf fig grow in low light
1. Choose an East or West Facing Window
Place your fiddle leaf fig near an east or west facing window if possible. East facing windows provide gentle morning light without hot afternoon rays. West windows offer nice bright light in the afternoon and evening. Avoid direct southern exposure as this can scorch leaves.
2. Use Sheer Curtains or Blinds
If the light from your window is too direct, add a light filtering sheer curtain. This helps diffuse the light and prevent leaf burn. Adjustable blinds can also allow you to control just how much light reaches your plant.
3. Rotate the Plant Frequently
Rotate your fiddle leaf fig every week or so. This ensures all sides get adequate light exposure and prevent leaning toward the window.
4. Prune for a Fuller Shape
Prune off any leggy growth or leaves that aren’t getting enough light. This encourages the plant to grow bushier and make better use of available light.
5. Dust the Leaves Regularly
Wipe fiddle leaf fig leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust buildup. This allows the leaves to absorb more light for photosynthesis.
6. Add a Grow Light
Supplement with a full spectrum LED grow light. Position it above your fiddle leaf fig for 12-14 hours per day. Grow lights provide the bright, blue and red spectrum light that plants need.
7. Choose a Fast Draining Potting Mix
Use a fertile, fast draining potting mix to avoid soggy soil. Wet soil in low light leads to root rot. Add perlite or bark chips to improve drainage further.
8. Water Less Frequently
Low light means the soil will dry out slower. Only water when the top few inches of soil become dry. This prevents overwatering.
9. Mist Frequently
Mist the leaves every few days to increase humidity around your fiddle leaf fig. Low humidity causes leaf browning.
10. Fertilize in Spring and Summer
Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the active growing season. Slow release pellets or diluted liquid fertilizer work well.
11. Repot Annually in Spring
Repotting in fresh soil provides nutrients and encourages new growth. Slip pot to a slightly larger container in spring.
The key to growing fiddle leaf figs in low light is paying attention to their water, drainage, and nutrition needs. With a little extra care, your fiddle leaf fig can thrive in nearly any indoor space. Diligent monitoring and adjustment is the best way to keep your plant healthy.
Signs Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Needs More Light
Watch for these clues that indicate your fiddle leaf fig would benefit from brighter light:
- Slow growth
- Small new leaves
- Yellowing or light green leaves
- Leaves drooping or falling off
- Long sparse stems and small leaves only at ends
- Wilty foliage
- Root rot from wet soil
Solutions for Low Light Fiddle Leaf Figs
Here are some helpful products and tips to improve conditions for your fiddle leaf fig in low light:
Add Supplemental Lighting
- Full spectrum grow lights or LED plant bulbs
- Position lights 12-14 inches above plant
- Timer to ensure 12-14 hours of light per day
Increase Natural Light Exposure
- Move plant to east or west window if possible
- Place near a bright northern window
- Remove obstructions like curtains or shelving
- Rotate plant weekly to evenly distribute light
Help Leaves Absorb More Light
- Dust leaves regularly to remove dirt buildup
- Mist leaves frequently to boost humidity
- Ensure proper watering and drainage
- Apply fertilizer to support growth
Adjust Watering Frequency
- Water less often than in bright light
- Always check soil dryness before watering
- Use moisture meter to monitor soil
- Improve drainage with bark, perlite, terra cotta pot
With a few easy adjustments, you can help your fiddle leaf fig thrive and grow beautifully even in low light conditions. Pay close attention to your plant and tweak your care as needed. With the right balance of water, light, and nutrients, you’ll have a healthy, vibrant fiddle leaf fig in any space.
Fiddle Leaf Figs Survive in Low-Light Department Stores. How Does This Work?
There are a few things department stores use to keep their Fiddle Leaf Figs alive, even when they have them in the middle of their floor where the tree can’t possibly get any natural light. Fiddle leaf figs survive in low-light environments, showcasing their adaptability to various indoor settings.
Fluorescent lights are typically the only lighting option used by larger department stores, and although they’re not the top choice for anyone’s interior decorating design, they are actually the perfect light for plants that require medium to low light conditions. These are key to having fiddle leaf figs survive in low-light. So having a Fiddle Leaf Fig inside a store that has plenty of fluorescent lights is actually an excellent place for a fiddle!
The secret to success when it comes to using fluorescent lights to grow plants is the specific light waves that this light emits. Fluorescent lights emit blue light waves, which is perfect for plants with a lot of foliage and not so much flowering.
Many stores choose to rent their plants from a company, and they usually find great success in keeping fresh greenery in the store without worrying too much about keeping one plant alive. These plant care companies generally bring one plant or tree to the store, come back to care for it (watering and fertilizing), and then take the plant back to their nursery after a couple of months and let it recover from the low-light condition if it’s needed.
The company will usually provide the department store with a second plant after removing the first one and care for it in the same way until it’s time to switch the plant out again. This rotation can go on for as long as the store wants live plants.
Can a Fiddle Leaf Fig Grow Without Light?
A fiddle leaf fig can grow without light, but it will not thrive unless provided a substantial amount of artificial light. Most fiddle leaf figs need at least 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight each day to stay healthy, and seeing as it can be difficult to meet those requirements in a department store, most stores that keep plants alive have some tricks they use to keep their plants happy.
Top 5 Easiest Low Light Plants for Beginners | Houseplant Resource Center
FAQ
How to tell if a fiddle leaf fig needs more light?
Slow Growth
Fiddle leaf fig trees tend to stop growing when they need to concentrate on recovery. However, if there’s nothing your plant needs to recover from and it’s still not growing, then you probably are not giving it enough light to thrive.
How much sunlight does a fiddle leaf fig need?
Yes, fiddle leaf figs live in full sun in the wild, but they also have protection from afternoon sun from the canopy of trees nearby. Ideally, you should place your fiddle leaf fig in a south-facing window, where it will get steady sunlight all day long.
Do fig trees do well in low light?
My recommendation: every fig variety has a specific duration and intensity of sunlight to produce fruit. For most growers, 8 hours of sunlight per day is plenty, but it’s not that simple either. Simply put, you want your fig tree to grow in as much sunlight as possible.
How do you know if a fiddle leaf fig needs sunlight?
Another option is to hold your hand up in front of a white piece of paper. A dark shadow means there is bright light, a medium shadow means medium light, and a light shadow means not enough light. Once you’ve quantified your sunlight, you’ll want to add up the total sunlight your fiddle leaf fig gets each day.
How does a fiddle leaf fig adapt to low light?
Your fiddle leaf fig will adapt to low light by growing towards the light source to get the light it needs. If your fiddle leaf fig plant is leaning towards the light or becomes lopsided, it is a sign it is not getting enough sunlight.
Why are my fiddle leaf fig leaves Droopy?
A mature fiddle leaf fig usually has thicker leaves. However, if you notice that the leaves of your fiddle leaf fig plant are droopy, floppy, and thin, probably your plant is not receiving sufficient light. Without proper light, your plant does not get the necessary energy to grow thick leaves. Fiddle leaf figs tend to get leggy owing to low light.
How to care for fiddle leaf fig plant?
So, whenever you bring a fiddle leaf fig plant to your home, make sure to keep it in such a position from where it can get enough light. However, too much heat and direct sunlight can show adverse effects. It can dehydrate the beautiful indoor plant. As a result, your cherished houseplant will appear dull, lifeless, and unappealing.
Do fiddle leaf figs need light?
It is prized for its lush, green foliage in the shape of a fiddle, which can really come into their own when this plant is given the conditions it needs to grow. And this includes ensuring that your fiddle leaf fig’s light needs are being met.
Can a fiddle leaf fig plant survive without sunlight?
Putting your fiddle leaf fig plant in a location without plenty of natural light is like spending time in a room without oxygen. Plants need sunlight to survive. They use sunlight as energy to perform photosynthesis, which is their combination of both breathing and eating. Without enough sunlight, all of their other functions start to suffer.