Caring for Ficus Lyrata
With its foliage sometimes said to resemble that of a violin, the Ficus lyrata plant is a gorgeous addition to any home setting. However, besides it being visually pleasing, it is also rather convenient to grow due to its requirement of only minimal maintenance. Whenever a plant is this easy to maintain, it often leads amateur growers to forget about it. For the most part, Ficus lyrata can withstand quite a lot of abuse, but when conditions become bad enough, its leaves will begin to drop off.
Here are a few general care instructions to prevent this from happening. Ficus lyrata should be grown in a general purpose soil with decent drainage and one fairly rich in organic matter. It generally prefers indoor temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees. Do not allow your house to get much colder than this. The Ficus lyrata is native to South Africa, so it is unfamiliar and incapable of dealing with cold temperatures.
It should be placed near a window but out of direct sunlight. Optimal conditions would include up to 8 hours of sun each day. If you begin to notice the leaves are beginning to curl and turn brown, it may be placed too close to the window and is suffering from direct contact with the sun's rays. It should be watered when the soil appears to be slightly dry, however do not overwater. Maintain mildly moist soil. It is best to use room-temperature tap water that has been sitting for at least 24 hours. This will allow time for the chlorine to evaporate. Rainwater could be acidic and cause damage to the plant. For additional nutrients, this plant will thrive with a water soluble fertilizer, applied every two weeks, though feedings should stop towards the end of the summer.
