Last updated on November 1st, 2022 at 08:22 am
The Ficus lyrata is a beautifully lush plant that can be found in many places around the world. It has a long history of being planted as an ornamental plant and it’s now been used for over 400 years as a houseplant. This species of plants are so versatile, you can find them all over the world from North America to Asia.
They are also very easy to care for which makes them great houseplants because they don’t need much water or light exposure at all. The best thing about this type of plant is that they come in many different types, but each one still looks and feels like the original ficus lyrata! There are some varieties with variegated leaves, others with darker leaves, and some with leaves that can change color.
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ficus lyrata care
These plants need a lot of light to thrive so be sure you have plenty of windows or glass doors nearby. If you’re going to display it in a room where there isn’t much lighting like on an end table then you might want to grow it in a pot that’s over 12 inches deep because lyrata plants like to spread out and some can get quite tall (upwards of 8 feet!).
Well-draining soil is essential for this plant to help prevent root rot.
These plants can grow very large! You’ll need a lot of room if you plan on growing a Ficus lyrata.
Ficus lyrata plants are extremely sensitive to chemicals. If you’re using pesticides, then it’s important that you don’t let the plant come into direct contact with them. Also, be careful when using fertilizer because this plant doesn’t require a lot of it.
If you live in an area where temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) then you should move your fiddle leaf fig to a warmer part of the house until spring.
Your Ficus lyrata will be most happy with humidity levels that are around 70%. If the air is dry, then it’s important that you use a humidifier or a cool-mist vaporizer to maintain the right environment for your plant.
Fiddle leaf figs are extremely sensitive to fluoride, so if you live in an area that adds it to their water supply then you will need to use filtered or bottled water instead.
If you want a Ficus lyrata that is large enough to fill up most of your home, then you’ll need to keep it outside during the summer months and bring it back inside before the first frost. Just remember that Ficus lyrata plants can be very heavy so if you’re going to take yours outside, then I would recommend using a wheeled plant stand or taking help from another person.
Ficus lyrata plants are a great choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance houseplant. They can adapt to most lighting conditions and they don’t require a lot of water or fertilizer, but the main downside is that these plants have been known to attract mealybugs and mites which can be difficult to get rid of.
As long as you remember that moisture and high humidity is important, then you should be fine. Ficus lyrata plants are a great choice for those who want some green in their home without having to spend too much time caring for it.
ficus lyrata propagation
Since lyratas are sold as houseplants you’ll find them in many different sizes, but it’s unlikely you’ll find them sold as seedlings. If you want more lyratas then the best way to do it is by propagation. The only thing is that these plants are slow at growing so they take a long time to develop roots and grow into new plants. As soon as you repot it in a pot that’s at least 12 inches deep and then put it in bright sunlight, you should see some new lyratas begin to grow within 6 months.
Ficus lyrata plants are either male or female. The males will produce pollen, and the females will develop fruit-containing seeds. If you want to increase your fiddle leaf fig population, then you’ll need to find a way to make sure the pollination takes place like shaking the branches or using a small paintbrush with some water on it.
Ficus lyrata plants often produce flowers that attract bees and other insects that will pollinate your Ficus lyratas. I’ve heard you can use a small paintbrush with water on it to physically touch the pollen from the male part of the plant onto the female, but I would probably play it safe and find a bee instead.
Ficus lyrata plants are easy to propagate. You can do so by rooting cutting or planting seeds directly in the soil. I would recommend using germination paper because it will help retain moisture around the plant while preventing the roots from growing too long and becoming entangled. If you don’t want to mess with seeds, then cuttings are easy to root in water or some type of soil mixture.
ficus lyrata leaves
The lyrata leaf is what makes this plant so special with its wavy shape and ability to change colors depending on its exposure to light. When it’s young the lyrata has shiny green leaves, but as it gets older the color begins to change and will depend on where you keep it. If you keep your plant in a bright location then the leaf will be a dark green/gray color, but if you place it somewhere with less light exposure then you’ll find that the leaf will begin to turn a lighter green and eventually even yellow in areas with extreme lack of light.
ficus lyrata in nature
A ficus lyrata is a very common type of plant found across various states from Arizona all the way up North to New England. In its natural habitat, you can find it growing in trees or near cliffs. Since they are so strong, lyratas are able to grow without any support at all and they climb to the top of trees by attaching their roots to branches. This type of plant gets its nutrients from the air so it’s important that you don’t over-water them because wet soil can actually be fatal.
Ficus lyrata types
There are so many different types of ficus lyrata plants! Some people believe that there are even more than 15 different varieties, but just to start you should know that the most common ones are the green leaf, fiddle-leaf fig, and red-edge ficus. There are also variegated forms that have many different colors on their leaves, then you have the “ficus lyrata black velvet” which is one of the darkest types you can find. The last type is the Alii fig which has a smaller leaf with a very unique shape!
Some believe there are more than 15 varieties of Ficus lyrata.
The fiddle-leaf fig is one of the most common forms of Ficus lyrata, and it’s also one of the largest with its leaves being around 25 inches long and 20 inches wide. This type has a dark green color and grows very slowly so you should wait at least 3 years before you start seeing any new growth. It’s also one of the best varieties indoors because it doesn’t require a lot of light to thrive.
Ficus lyrata alii has leaves that are much smaller than other ficus lyratas, around 14 inches long and only 3 inches wide! This type is very slow growing, so you’ll need to be patient while waiting for it to mature. It has a dark green leaf color with silver accents and is very attractive, but unfortunately not one of the best choices if you want more plants because it’s so rare.
Ficus lyrata black velvet is another type that gets its name from the dark color of its leaves. This type has a glossy finish and the leaves are much darker than other lyrata plants, some would even say black! It grows slowly like most ficus types, but it’s more tolerant to low light conditions which makes it easier for you to find room in your home where this plant will thrive.
Ficus lyrata green has leaves that are more of a medium color with light brown or yellowish tones. It’s also one of the best choices if you live in an area where it gets very cold because this type is able to survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius). Another perk to having this plant around is that it’s able to help filter some of the toxins in your home while also removing CO2 and replacing it with oxygen.
Ficus lyrata red edge is another great choice if you want to add a touch of color to your home, although all ficus lyratas will give off a nice change. This type has leaves that are bright red with a dark brown outline, and it’s also one of the easiest ficus lyrata plants to grow.
The fiddle leaf fig is extremely popular because of its ability to tolerate low light conditions, but it can get very large which means you will need plenty of room inside your home if you want one.
Gardening is my passion and growing plants indoors has always been a stress relief for me. Grow a banana tree in my apartment once (although failed to produce bananas).
