This post is inspired by my friend Steph. A few months ago, her and her boyfriend moved into an amazing one bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village. She recently asked me about what type of plant(s) she should look into getting for her apartment. Now there are several things to keep in mind when it comes to city living and investing in plants or indoor gardening. First, is space. For example, my apartment is a one bedroom convertible so the living room is not ideal for incorporating a large plant. Luckily for Steph, she has a lot of room to work with so this isn’t quite an issue for her.

Secondly, do you want to indoor garden? Whether this be with herbs or flowers, having a large windowsill or at least an area where you know gets regular sun light (which is also questionable in a New York City apartment) is key.

My third question for her came down to upkeep. I asked her how interested she was in watering/feeding a particular plant. I totally understand that some people don’t want to deal with the maintenance of having plants in their apartment so easy upkeep is important.

Insert the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree.

They are pretty easy to grow and don’t need special pampering so I’ve rounded up a few popular questions and key tips to help you master the art of Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree survival.

• Does it need sunlight? Kind of. The answer to this question is that it needs plenty of light, however, not direct sunlight. Too much sun on the fiddle leaf fig tree can cause damage to the leaves.

• How often should I water? This depends on the size. As a general rule for an 8-,10-,12-, or 14-inch diameter pot, you will want to water the top inch of the soil. Once the soil becomes dry, that’s how you’ll know when to water again. Note: the Fig Leaf Tree is used to tropical environments with consistent moisture and even temperatures so the temperature and humidity in your home will affect how much you will need to water your plant.
  • i.e. Placing your tree next to a radiator or in a drafty area, will most definitely effect how much you will need to water the tree.  The best way to determine if your tree needs water is to insert your finger into the soil to determine how dry the soil is.

• What to look for? When shopping for a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, look for one that has even, green leaves with no discoloration. Also, stay away from ones that have roots coming out of the bottom. Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees are generally sold with a single trunk and a leafy top or are multi-branched with evenly spaced branches up and down the trunk. You will need to prune annually depending how fast your tree grows which could be 2 to 3 ft each year (tip: spring is the best time for pruning).

• Where to buy? The best place to buy is your local independent nursery. If they don’t have one, I’m sure they would be happy to order one whole sale for you. If you prefer to test the waters before you invest in a full grown fig tree, Ikea sells them for $14 dollars (note – the don’t come potted). I’ve also heard recently that local Home Depots and Lowes have started selling them. I would call your local retailer first before you make the trip.

What do you think? Would you invest in the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree? I’m in. Xo. Lauren

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