The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a medium-sized indoor tree known for its beautiful glossy leaves. Although these leaves are its main attraction, it’s also known for being a fast grower. This growth depends on the amount of light the Fiddle Leaf Fig receives. As a plant that is sensitive to light changes, it can be finicky in environments that lack good sunlight.
Some gardeners use indoor grow lights to supplement a lack of natural sunlight. These offer a constant and even source of light, which will help the plant grow and prevent conditions like legginess or stunted growth.
The best grow lights for Fiddle Leaf Fig are LED grow lights because they provide even light with very little heat. A Fiddle Leaf Fig also needs a light that hangs from the ceiling or stands on its own to accommodate the tree’s height of 6-10 feet (2-3 m).
Let’s look at six of our favorite grow lights on the market. We’ve found grow lights to suit any budget, from beginners to gardening professionals.
Do Fiddle Leaf Figs Need a Grow Light?
Fiddle Leaf Figs are a tropical undergrowth plant native to the rainforests of Africa. They thrive in constant indirect light, which gets filtered through the canopy.
This plant grows best with access to various light types, from direct to indirect. Six hours of indirect light a day is the minimum these trees require, along with 1-2 hours of direct sunlight.
Note that Fiddle Leafs Figs tend to lean quite dramatically towards the light when placed near a window. Since most plant owners want their trees to stand straight, it can be tricky to stay on top of rotating the tree, so it doesn’t grow with a lean.
Growing lights are an excellent option for Fiddle Leaf Fig owners to accommodate the high light requirements and its tendency to lean.
How Can I Tell If My Fiddle Leaf Fig is Getting Enough Light?
With their large size, it can be tricky to find a suitable spot in your home for your Fiddle Leaf Fig. Sometimes, the location where your plant fits doesn’t always have the best light. Signs your tree is suffering from low light include:
- Leggy growth
- Slow growth
- Dropping leaves
- Yellow leaves
- Leaning
If your Fiddle Leaf Fig exhibits any of these traits, it’s time to consider installing a grow light.
What Grow Light is Best For a Fiddle Leaf Fig?
We’ve looked through reviews and read all the testimonies from plant lovers to find these six grow lights. We’ve included different varieties like stand lamps and hanging lamps to suit any space and budget.
GE BR30 LED Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum, 9-Watt Grow Light
These inexpensive grow light bulbs are a cult classic, and for a good reason! They provide plenty of LED light to promote plant growth. And they do so while emitting very little heat.
They’re also cost and energy-efficient, only using 9 watts. But what makes them so convenient is that they will fit into any standard lamp or light fixture. So, you don’t have to compromise the look of your home just to give your Fiddle Leaf Fig a light boost.
Juhef Full-Spectrum Tri-Head 60W
This free-standing lamp is the perfect height to accommodate larger plants like palms and Fiddle Leaf Fig. It has three adjustable gooseneck lamps, so your tree gets the most direct light possible to prevent leaning.
The light also comes in three different spectrums to meet your plant’s different needs. The Blue/Red spectrum promotes pigmentation, the 3500 sunlike spectrum promotes photosynthesis, and the 6000K white spectrum is an all-day light source.
At under $100, this light is an all-in-one solution.
Bloom Plus LED Grow Light
Grow lights can be expensive to run daily, but this 300W model uses 50% less energy than competitors while still providing excellent results. This lamp hangs from the ceiling, which encourages your Fiddle Leaf Fig to grow straight up.
This lamp is dimmable, which means you can set it to transition from morning to evening light naturally. The chipboard is also water resistant, so feel free to spritz your tree and give it all the humidity it needs.
Rousseau Grow Light
We have to admit that grow lights aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing. This Rousseau grow light, however, is sleek and modern, and will fit in with any decor.
Although this light doesn’t have as many settings as its competitors, it has everything a Fiddle Leaf Fig needs. The 4000K sunlight LED lights can offer the equivalent of direct sunlight. The light intensity depends on how far you place the light from your Fiddle Leaf Fig.
The manufacturer recommends a diameter range of 36″ to 48″ (91-121 cm) for all-day indirect light and a diameter range of 12″ to 14” (30-35 cm) to achieve full sun.
VIVOSUN 2020 Latest VS1000 LED Grow Light
The VIVOSUN grow light is an adjustable hanging light that is perfect for tall plants like Fiddle Leaf Fig. It has a wide rectangular shape which provides even coverage for the entire plant.
This grow light touts itself for being extremely energy efficient. It only consumes 100 watts of energy. It also includes full-spectrum lights for all stages of growth, with options like a white or red light.
This model is priced much lower than other hanging lights, so it’s a great beginner or budget option.
SANSI 36W LED Light Bulb
This full spectrum light bulb will help your Fiddle Leaf Fig tree at every growth stage. Blue-ray helps plants photosynthesize, whereas green rays help the plant transition from youth to maturity. The LED chip technology ensures that the light is more efficiently distributed and the product is reliable.
The LED bulb is equivalent to 400 watts, perfect for high-light plants like Fiddle Leaf Fig. Although it’s more expensive than the GE BR30 LED Grow Light, it also has more features.
Can Fiddle Leaf Fig Survive in Low Light?
Like many light-loving trees, the Fiddle Leaf Fig has garnered a reputation as a “drama queen” among plants. Not only does the Fiddle Leaf Fig need six or more hours of indirect light a day, but it also needs a few hours of direct light.
A south-facing window is an ideal location for this plant. Keep in mind that if you’re bringing home a new Fiddle Leaf Fig, it needs to be gradually introduced to large amounts of sunlight. Get any of this wrong, and the Fiddle Leaf Fig will notoriously shed its leaves.
Another tip to prevent leaf shed is to avoid moving your Fiddle Leaf Fig around too much. Changes in the type and amount of light tend to stress it out.
FAQ
How Do You Promote New Growth on a Fiddle Leaf Fig?
If your Fiddle Leaf Fig plant struggles to grow branches, you may need to start pruning it. It’s best to prune just above a cluster of leaves. This means the stem is healthy and more likely to produce new growth.
Another technique used to promote growth is notching. Instead of removing stems, you simply cut notches into the trunk of the tree. This encourages new growth to emerge from below the notches, thus helping to fill out your plant.
What Causes Brown Edges on Fiddle Leaf Fig?
If your Fiddle Leaf Fig has developed brown leaf edges, it’s likely due to underwatering. You can tell underwatering spots apart from burn or scorch marks because of the placement. Underwatering marks usually begin at the edge of the plant’s leaf, whereas scorch marks from heat are likely to occur in the middle of the leaf.
An underwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig plant will have dry, crispy edges. The leaves may even be drooping if the plant has been underwatered for long periods. Check the soil with your fingers; if it feels dry to the touch, it’s time to up the watering.
Do Fiddle Leaf Figs Like to Be Misted?
The native home of Fiddle Leaf Figs is the rainforest, so they like high humidity. This plant, in particular, requires 65% humidity, which can be tough to achieve in your average North American home.
Misting your plant daily will help foster a more humid environment. If this is too much of a chore, consider setting up a humidifier on a nearby table to increase the moisture levels in the air.
Summary
Since most of our homes don’t get eight hours of interrupted light a day, keeping a Fiddle Leaf Fig happy indoors can be tricky.
To compensate for the lack of light, you can install a grow light for your Fiddle Leaf Fig. The best options on the market are LED grow lights since they emit very little heat. The options we’ve chosen all stand on their own or can be hung right above your plant. This will help your Fiddle Leaf Fig grow upward, as it tends to lean.
With a grow light handy, you won’t need a south-facing home to enjoy the Fiddle Leaf Fig!