Fiddle Leaf Fig

The fiddle leaf fig has a reputation, and it's mostly earned. Those big violin-shaped leaves are gorgeous, and the plant is genuinely pickier than anything else on this list. The good news: almost all of its drama comes down to two things — enough light, and being left alone.

Light

This is the most light-hungry plant in these notes. A fiddle leaf fig wants a lot of bright indirect light — right by a bright window — and tolerates some gentle, acclimatised morning direct sun. In a dim corner it slowly declines, dropping leaves from the bottom up. If you only fix one thing, fix the light.

Watering

Consistency is everything. Water when the top few centimetres are dry, soak it thoroughly, and let it drain completely — then repeat the same way. Fiddle leaf figs hate extremes in both directions: soggy roots cause rot, while letting it swing bone dry causes stress and leaf drop. A steady rhythm keeps it calm.

Common problems

Brown spots are a language of their own: dark spots at the leaf centre often mean overwatering or root rot, while crispy brown edges point to underwatering, dry air, or a cold draft. Dropping leaves usually follow a sudden change — it famously sulks when you move it, repot it, or expose it to drafts and temperature swings. Lower-leaf loss is light and water stress combined.