Fiddle leaf fig care in Dubai: light, water and leaf drop

A fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) needs bright, indirect light, water when the top 5 cm of soil is dry (roughly weekly in a Dubai summer, every 10 to 14 days in winter), and a spot that stays put. It drops leaves when moved or kept in wet soil.

Key takeaways

• Place it near a bright window with filtered light. It does poorly in dim rooms.
• Water when the top 5 cm is dry: about weekly in summer, every 10 to 14 days in winter, under AC.
• Pick a spot and leave it. Moves, drafts and cold vents trigger leaf drop.
• Brown patches in the middle of leaves often point to overwatering. Dry brown edges point to dry air.
• Wipe the large leaves regularly and rotate the pot so it grows evenly.

How much light does a fiddle leaf fig need indoors?

This is the most demanding part of its care. Fiddle leaf figs want bright light all day. A position within 1 to 2 metres of a large window is a good start. Some direct morning sun is usually fine. Hot afternoon sun through Dubai glass can scorch the big leaves, leaving tan or white patches, so use a sheer curtain on west and south windows.

In low light the plant grows slowly, new leaves come in small, and lower leaves yellow and fall. If your flat has few windows, a grow light can help, but a plant near a bright window is better.

How often should you water a fiddle leaf fig in a Dubai summer?

Let the top 5 cm of soil dry, then water thoroughly until it drains. Under AC in summer, that is often once a week. Don't water little and often. A regular small splash leaves the lower roots dry and the top wet.

Empty the saucer after watering. Roots sitting in water cause rot, which is the most common reason fiddle leaf figs die.

And in winter, from November to March?

Growth slows and so does water use. Every 10 to 14 days is typical for a room under AC, and longer when it is cool. A plant on a balcony may dry out faster in sun and breeze, so check it more often.

What does AC do to a fiddle leaf fig?

Air conditioning is hard on a fiddle leaf fig in two ways. The dry air browns leaf edges, and cold air blowing straight onto the plant can make leaves drop within days. Keep the pot out of the airflow from vents and away from doors that open to hot outdoor air.

For humidity, group the plant with others, use a pebble tray with water below the top of the pebbles, or run a small humidifier. Misting gives only brief moisture and isn't a fix.

Why does a fiddle leaf fig drop leaves after a move?

It is sensitive to change in light, temperature and humidity. A newly delivered plant often drops a few lower leaves in the first few weeks. Place it in its permanent spot, water it, and wait. Keep other conditions steady. Rotate the pot a quarter turn every week or two so it doesn't lean toward the window, and do it gradually.

What soil, pot and repotting does it need?

Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite or bark. The pot must have drainage holes. Repot every 1 to 2 years in spring or autumn, into a pot 3 to 5 cm wider, when roots circle the pot. Large, tall plants are heavy, so consider our plant repotting service.

How big does a fiddle leaf fig get indoors?

In a home, a mature plant commonly reaches around 1.5 to 2.5 m, with leaves 20 to 40 cm long in good light. It can grow taller if there is ceiling height. Our shop lists the fiddle leaf tree.

Why are my fiddle leaf fig's leaves brown, yellow or falling?

• Brown spots in the middle of leaves: usually overwatering or root rot, or a fungal leaf spot. Let the soil dry, and remove badly affected leaves.
• Dry, crispy brown edges: dry air, vents or salt build-up.
• Yellow lower leaves: overwatering, low light, or normal ageing.
• Sudden leaf drop: a move, a cold draught, or a big change in watering.
• Tan or white scorch patches: direct afternoon sun through glass.
• Leaning plant: not enough light, or uneven light from one side.

Which pests affect fiddle leaf figs?

Common ones are spider mites, scale, mealybugs and fungus gnats. Mites show as fine speckling on leaves and thrive in dry air. Scale looks like small brown bumps along veins and stems. Mealybugs are cotton-like tufts at the leaf joints.

Wipe the leaves, including the undersides, with a damp cloth every month or two. That removes dust, which is heavy in Dubai, and lets you spot problems early. Dab scale and mealybugs with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol and repeat weekly. If you'd like a second pair of eyes on a large plant, our team can check it as part of plant maintenance, with pricing quoted after a free site visit.

Browse more plants in our indoor plants category, or read our guide to indoor plant care in air-conditioned Dubai.

Reviewed by Hamza, site supervisor at Green Beetle.