Most fiddle leaf fig owners keep their fiddles as houseplants in pots. You’ll find tons of information on the web (and this site) about caring for indoor fiddles, but what about tips for growing a fiddle leaf fig outdoors?
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about growing a fiddle leaf fig outdoors as a potted plant or in the ground.
Summer is almost here, and if you’re like me, you can’t wait to spend more time outside enjoying the sunny weather As an avid indoor plant parent, I’ve been wondering if I should move my prized fiddle leaf fig tree outside for the summer
Fiddle leaf figs are native to the warm humid rainforests of West Africa so the summer heat seems like it would be ideal for them. However, these finicky plants require very specific care. I wanted to make sure I thoroughly research whether putting a fiddle leaf fig outside in summer is ultimately a good idea or not.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about caring for a fiddle leaf fig outdoors in the summer, including:
- The benefits and risks of moving it outside
- How to gradually transition it outdoors
- Ideal outdoor growing conditions
- Water, sunlight, and other care needs
- Potting and planting considerations
- Pest prevention and troubleshooting
- Should you keep it outside all winter?
I’ll share tips from experts as well as my own experience from trial and error with outdoor fiddle leaf figs. Read on to learn if a summer vacation outdoors is right for your fiddle leaf fig!
Benefits of Putting Fiddle Leaf Figs Outside in Summer
Letting your fiddle leaf fig spend time outdoors offers some great perks, including:
- Increased light exposure leading to faster growth
- Improved air circulation and humidity
- A break from indoor pests like spider mites
- The novelty of having your plant outdoors
- Easier watering and drainage
During the warm summer months, your plant may appreciate a refreshing change of scenery on a shaded patio or front porch. Just be sure to acclimate it first and correct any underlying issues before moving it outside.
Transitioning Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Outdoors
You can’t just plunk your indoor fiddle leaf fig outside on the first sunny spring day. The shock from direct sun and wind could damage its leaves. Follow these tips to safely transition your plant:
- Choose an area shaded from afternoon sun, like under an awning or tree canopy.
- Start by placing the plant outdoors for just 1-2 hours at a time.
- Gradually increase the duration every 2-3 days until your plant stays outdoors full-time.
- Mist leaves to provide extra humidity as your plant adapts to dry air.
- Check frequently for signs of stress like leaf curling or scorching.
- Bring plants indoors immediately if temps drop below 50°F overnight.
With moderate daytime temperatures and protection from harsh sun and wind, your fiddle leaf fig should adjust to outdoor conditions within 7-14 days.
Ideal Outdoor Conditions for Fiddle Leaf Figs
To maximize success, choose an outdoor area with these attributes:
- Part sun or dappled shade (no direct afternoon sun)
- Daytime temperatures from 70-90°F
- Nighttime temps above 50°F
- Shelter from strong winds and rain
- Good drainage beneath the pot
- 50% humidity or higher
- Gradual transition period before permanent relocation
Monitor local forecasts so you can protect plants during extreme cold or heat. With ideal conditions, summering outdoors benefits healthy, established fiddle leaf figs.
Risks of Putting Fiddle Leaf Figs Outside
While enjoying summer sun sounds nice, outdoor conditions also pose some risks:
- Sunburn – Direct sun scorches leaves.
- Wind damage – Gusts may tear leaves or snap branches.
- Temperature swings – Cold nights or hot days stress plants.
- Dry air – Low humidity dries leaf margins.
- Underwatering – Wind and sun increase water needs.
- Nutrient leaching – Frequent watering washes away soil nutrients.
- Pests and disease – Summer weather enables infestations.
Take precautions to minimize these hazards before placing your fiddle leaf fig outside. Relocating a sick or struggling plant often worsens problems.
Signs Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Is Struggling Outdoors
Monitor your plant closely for signals it’s not handling outdoor conditions well:
- Wilting, drooping, or curling leaves
- Brown crispy spots or scorched leaf edges
- Dry, brown leaf margins
- Increased leaf drop
- Soil drying out rapidly
- Webs or insects on leaves (spider mites)
- Minimal new leaves or growth
- Failure to thrive
If you notice these issues, your plant likely needs more shade, humidity, or water. Diagnose the problem and remedy it promptly. Moving outdoors works best for healthy plants in ideal conditions.
Tips for a Healthy, Happy Outdoor Fiddle Leaf Fig
Follow these best practices to help your fiddle leaf fig prosper outside:
- Acclimate plant gradually before leaving it outdoors full-time
- Add extra perlite to potting mix for improved drainage
- Mist leaves in the morning to increase hydration
- Check soil moisture daily, watering when the top few inches become dry
- Monitor for pests like spider mites weekly
- Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to keep dust-free
- Rotate pot periodically for even sun exposure
- Stop fertilizing at least 6 weeks before bringing plant indoors
- Transition plant back indoors slowly over 7-14 days
With attentive care in ideal conditions, summering outdoors can be beneficial for many fiddle leaf figs. Just take precautions when making significant environmental changes.
Caring for Fiddle Leaf Figs in Pots Outdoors
Growing fiddle leaf figs outdoors in containers carries some extra considerations:
- Use a potting mix formulated for fiddle leaf figs, like this one, to ensure proper aeration and drainage.
- Move up one pot size to accommodate summer growth. Add extra perlite and orchid bark to improve drainage further.
- Weight down lightweight plastic pots so they don’t blow over in wind.
- Monitor soil moisture closely with a moisture meter, as plants dry out faster outside.
- Apply a thin layer of pebbles beneath the pot to prevent waterlogged soil.
- Rotate or turn pots periodically to distribute sun exposure evenly for uniform growth.
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
With a bit of extra attention, container-grown fiddle leaf figs can adapt well to outdoor living in summer.
Overwintering a Fiddle Leaf Fig Outdoors
While summering outside has benefits, attempting to overwinter your fiddle leaf fig outdoors is extremely risky in all but the mildest climates. These tropical plants suffer below 50°F and cannot tolerate frost.
If you’re considering overwintering a plant outside:
- Only attempt in frost-free zones like Southern California, Florida, or the Gulf Coast.
- Keep plant under a patio roof or enclosed porch for protection.
- Use frost blankets when temps drop below 50°F.
- Ensure temperatures stay above 50°F.
- Avoid overwatering during cool weather.
- Ensure plant enters winter dormancy with shorter light exposure.
Even in warm zones, outdoor overwintering poses significant hazards. Safest option is bringing fiddle leaf figs indoors before fall temperatures drop.
Troubleshooting Problems
If your fiddle leaf fig develops issues when moved outside, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Sunburn: Provide more afternoon shade.
Dry leaf margins: Mist leaves often and water more frequently.
Wilting: Check roots for rot and improve drainage if needed.
Leaf drop: Reduce sunlight exposure and slowly bring plant indoors.
Minimal new leaves: Fertilize regularly and maintain adequate moisture.
Failure to thrive: Relocate to a shadier area with no direct sun.
Closely observe how your plant responds and adjust care accordingly. Relocating outdoors works best for healthy plants in ideal conditions.
Should You Put Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Outside in Summer?
Hopefully this guide provided a thorough overview of the potential benefits and risks of putting a fiddle leaf fig outside in summer. The keys are proper acclimation, sufficient hydration, and protection from excessive sun and wind. With the right precautions, your plant can thrive during its summer sojourn outdoors!
For any other outdoor fiddle leaf fig care questions, feel free to contact me. I’m always happy to help fellow plant parents keep their fiddle leaf figs healthy and happy!
Fiddle Leaf Fig Hardiness Zones
In the United States, fiddles will grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, which covers much of Florida and California as well as parts of southern Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana.
This is where the temperatures and humidity levels are most ideal for fiddles, but you still may need to take some extra steps to protect your tree from the occasional cold snap or dry summer.
Here’s what you need to know.
Outdoors, fiddles tolerate temperatures from about 55 degrees Fahrenheit up to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is pushing it, however, and these extremes may cause problems if other environmental factors aren’t ideal.
For example, if your tree is in direct sunlight in 90-degree heat and humidity levels are on the low side, you’re probably going to wind up with some scorched leaves (but your tree might do fine in a shaded area in those temperatures).
Here’s what you can do to protect your outdoor fiddle from those weather extremes.
If you live in zones 9-11, your fiddle will probably do just fine outside during the winter without much additional protection. The only thing you’ll need to watch out for is unusually cold temperatures.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast. If temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit are predicted during the night, there are a few things you can do.
If your fiddle is outdoors in a pot, you can simply bring the plant inside to protect it from freezing. If your fiddle is planted in the ground, you can try covering it with plastic if it’s small enough.
Larger trees tend to be hardier than smaller saplings, and it’s likely that they’ve weathered cold snaps before. After all, they’ve gotten this far! There isn’t much to do for a bigger tree and unseasonably cold weather except stick with the aspects of care you can control, such as providing water and nutrients when necessary. This will help give the tree the resources it needs to endure temporarily rough environmental conditions.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Height Outdoors
One of the best parts of growing a fiddle outdoors in the ground is that your fiddle will grow much, much taller than it would indoors.
Inside, fiddles usually grow to about 10 feet tall. But an outdoor fiddle can grow up to 60 feet tall, with a much wider trunk and fuller canopy than you could ever hope to grow indoors.
You may find that you need to remove some material from your outdoor tree to keep it healthy and shaped.
If you notice dead or diseased material on your fiddle (leaves with brown spots, mold, etc.), be sure to prune these off and throw them away in the garbage, not your compost pile. You don’t want to spread those pathogens!
If your tree starts getting a wonky shape, leaning, growing into areas where it becomes a hazard, or otherwise getting a little unruly, you can “lop” off branches to bring it back into balance. For smaller trees, you can do this with a sturdy pair of pruning shears. Larger trees might require a saw.
Either way, if you plan to remove branches from your tree, we suggest planning your cuts before you make them. You can mark the branches with colored string or tape so you can visualize the tree’s shape before you cut. That way, you won’t accidentally cut too much and end up with a misshapen tree!
Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Guide! // Garden Answer
FAQ
Should I put my fiddle leaf fig outside in summer?
Fiddle Leaf Fig plants can go outside for “summer camp”. They make a beautiful accent to your patio and porch. However, they must be acclimated to the sunlight. Just like our skin, the leaves can become sunburned.
How hot is too hot for fiddle leaf fig?
Of course, you’ll want to make sure your climate is suitable for growing a fiddle leaf fig outdoors. Temperatures should be no cooler than 50 degrees at night and generally no hotter than 95 or so during the day. But keep in mind that fiddle leaf figs are great at adapting to their environments!