With so many options for choosing houseplant pots, it can be overwhelming, mainly when it is time to pot your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant. In addition, Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants are susceptible to root rot and overwatering, so you will likely want to choose a pot that will prevent this problem and set them up for success.
The best pots for Fiddle Leaf Figs Plants are porous, like clay or terracotta, since they draw excess moisture out of the soil and prevent root rot. A ceramic pot or a cache pot with drainage holes to avoid overwatering may also work well.
Are Terracotta Pots Good For Fiddle Leaf Figs?
Terracotta pots are an excellent choice for Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants. Terracotta is an unglazed porous clay pot baked in a kiln and a popular houseplant pot choice.
Terracotta pots often come with a drainage hole, essential for a happy Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant. Terracotta is also an excellent choice for houseplants sensitive to root rot, like the Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant. This is because they can draw excess moisture away from the soil.
There are some things to keep in mind when using a terracotta pot for your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant:
- Make sure that you monitor the soil regularly to ensure that it isn’t becoming too dry or drying out too quickly.
- Terracotta pots can be heavy, particularly with large plants, so moving your Fiddle Leaf Fig around may be challenging.
- While white, gray, or marble terracotta pots are becoming more available, many aren’t fans of the terracotta aesthetic.
Are Ceramic Pots Good for Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants?
Ceramic pots are another popular option for Fiddle Leaf Figs because they come in endless shapes, sizes, and colors. You can choose a ceramic pot for your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant, but you will have to keep in mind they have a few drawbacks.
Ceramic pots are typically glazed and can be great for moisture retention. Unfortunately, this can become a problem for Fiddle Leaf Figs since they are very susceptible to root rot if they sit in saturated soil for too long.
You can still make a ceramic pot work for your Fiddle Leaf Fig by:
- Ensuring that the soil has plenty of drainage by adding extra orchid bark or perlite
- Making sure that your Fiddle Leaf Fig is getting bright indirect light
- Ensure you only water it when the soil is nearly dried out (getting a moisture meter will certainly help!)
- Monitoring the soil conditions regularly to ensure that your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s soil is consistently moist.
Drainage Holes
The other problem with ceramic pots is that often many of them do not have drainage holes. This can cause a considerable problem for Fiddle Leaf Figs, as the excess water will sit at the bottom of the pot with nowhere to go, keeping the roots wet until they become rotted and mushy.
Cache Pots
Many people love the versatility of choosing a ceramic pot for their Fiddle Leaf Fig but don’t want to risk overwatering their plant, mainly if there are no drainage holes in the pot.
In this case, you can opt for using a cache pot, which is when you keep your Fiddle Leaf Fig in a pot with plenty of drainage holes (typically a plastic or nursery pot, but you can use terracotta as well) and then place that pot inside of a ceramic pot. Then, when you water your Fiddle Leaf Fig, the water will still exit through the drainage holes.
Should I Repot My Fiddle Leaf Fig?
There are a few reasons why you may want to repot your Fiddle Leaf Fig and would be looking for a new pot that works the best for your plant.
It is Pot Bound or Root Bound
If your Fiddle Leaf Fig is root bound (also called pot bound), you will notice that the roots pop out of the drainage holes because they have no room left to grow in their pot. The roots may also be popping out of the top of the soil. Another sign that your Fiddle Leaf Fig is ready for a new pot is that it is drying out fast because the roots are crowding out the soil.
If your Fiddle Leaf Fig is rootbound, the rule of thumb is to repot it in a pot no more than 2 inches (5 cm) bigger than its previous pot to ensure that the roots will still have room to grow, but they will be able to intake the water when the soil is wet.
The Pot is Not Suitable
Another reason you may want to repot your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant is that the current pot is not suitable for your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s needs. This could mean it does not have drainage holes or is the wrong type of pot for what you need.
Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Is Unhappy
If your Fiddle Leaf Fig shows signs of general unhappiness and you have ruled out all other probable causes, you may want to try giving it a different pot to see if the conditions will be more favorable.
When Should I Repot My Fiddle Leaf Fig?
If all goes well, you should repot your Fiddle Leaf Fig once every two years. In most cases, many people choose to repot their Fiddle Leaf Fig once annually. This allows you to evaluate how your Fiddle Leaf Fig is doing in its pot type and give it fresh soil. The best time of year to repot Fiddle Leaf Fig is during the growing season when the leaves and roots are actively growing.
What Should I Plant My Fiddle Leaf Fig in?
The pot you choose to plant your Fiddle Leaf Fig in will vary slightly depending on the conditions you are giving it and your plant care habits. Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants prefer to live in tropical conditions, but the conditions we can provide in our homes may vary.
They love plenty of bright, indirect light and warm temperatures and like their soil to be consistently moist. Therefore, the best pot for your Fiddle Leaf Fig will depend on a couple of factors:
Temperature
Fiddle Leaf Figs prefer temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 29°C), but the warmer the temperatures you give them, the faster the water evaporates from the soil. In this case, you may want to opt for a moisture-retaining pot like a ceramic pot to ensure that your Fiddle Leaf Fig does not dry out too fast.
On the other hand, if your temperatures are closer to the lower end of that spectrum, you may want to use a pot like a terracotta, as it will prevent your Fiddle Leaf Fig from sitting in wet soil for too long.
Light
The key to a happy and thriving Fiddle Leaf Fig is giving them plenty of bright, indirect light. Ideally, you will want them to have 800 Foot Candles for good growth, and they can even tolerate up to 4 hours of direct sunlight. However, giving your Fiddle Leaf Plant this light will likely have it go through water quickly.
On the other hand, if your lighting falls short of 800 Foot Candles, your Fiddle Leaf Fig will have a slower process for photosynthesis which means that they may need a more porous pot like clay or terracotta to prevent root rot.
Soil Type
For Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants, your best bet is to choose a well-draining soil mix with plenty of orchid bark, perlite, and pumice since Fiddle Leaf Figs are very sensitive to root rot and do not like to have wet feet.
If you have a chunky soil mix, you may find it better to balance it out with a ceramic pot, whereas if the soil you are working with is a bit denser (for example, regular potting mix), then a terracotta pot will be more beneficial.
The best soil you can use will consist of 50-60% moisture retention material, like potting soil or coco coir, and then 40-50% drainage material, like orchid bark or perlite. This will allow plenty of oxygen to reach the roots and will allow the excess water to drain. In addition, they prefer a more neutral soil pH level between 6-7.
Watering
Understanding your plant care tendencies is a great way to set up your Fiddle Leaf Fig for success with the best pot choice. For example, if you tend to forget to water your plants, choosing a ceramic pot may be the better choice as it could give you a bit more buffer until the soil completely dries out. On the other hand, if you tend to give your plants too much water, getting a terracotta pot is the better choice for you.
How Often Should You Water A Fiddle Leaf Fig?
You should water your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant when the soil is nearly dry. A moisture meter should read at level 2 or 3 before your Fiddle Leaf Fig is ready for a drink. How frequently you water your Fiddle Leaf Fig will significantly depend on the conditions you are giving it, such as light, temperature, soil, and pot type, so be sure to check in with your plant regularly for signs that it is ready for a drink.
Should I Bottom Water My Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Bottom watering your Fiddle Leaf Fig is a great way to prevent root rot, allowing the soil to absorb what it needs. If you want to try bottom watering your Fiddle Leaf Fig, place its pot inside a container with water.
Your pot should have drainage, so you can walk away from your plant and give it time to soak up the water from the container. Once the soil at the top is damp, you can remove your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s pot from the container.
While bottom watering is great, now and then, you will want to water your Fiddle Leaf Fig thoroughly from the top to flush out any toxins or bacteria from the soil.
Summary
Balance is essential when caring for Fiddle Leaf Figs, including choosing the best pot for your plant. While terracotta pots are traditionally the best choice for a Fiddle Leaf Fig to prevent overwatering, the best pot for your plant will ultimately depend on your conditions and plant care habits.
Terracotta pots help to drain excess water and moisture from the soil and are helpful if you tend to overwater your plants. Ceramic or cache pots need to have drainage holes as they tend to retain water which helps if you tend to under water your plants.
Fiddle Leaf Fig plants do best in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 29°C), need plenty of bright, indirect sunlight, and well-draining soil with a neutral pH.
If all of these care requirements are met, your Fiddle Leaf Fig plant will be happy and thriving!