Moving your fiddle leaf fig plant can be tricky. We all know fiddle leaf figs can be finicky and that they love consistency, which means they hate being moved! You also run the risk of damaging your tree in transport.
Maybe you’ve found a big, beautiful fiddle leaf fig at your local nursery.
But how the heck do you get home?
Or maybe you’re moving and you want to take your fiddle leaf figs with you.
What’s the best way to move your fiddle leaf fig in a car without harming it?
There are tons of different ways to do this, but sometimes it helps to understand what can go wrong so you can cover your bases.
Factors to Consider When Moving Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant
Sunburn
Fiddle leaf fig leaves can sunburn very quickly, and this is one of the most common issues we hear about when it comes to transporting fiddle leaf figs.
Too often, fiddle leaf fig owners put them straight in the car, but the sun’s harsh rays come in the window and burn the leaves.
It’s important to keep the leaves out of direct sunlight when moving your fiddle leaf fig. You can do this by putting them in a shady part of the car and covering the leaves with paper, a light blanket, opaque plastic, or a sheet.
Drafts and Heat
Be mindful of excessive heat or A/C blowing directly on your fig.
This can dry out the leaves and make them look sunburned.
If you can position the leaves away from a vent and prevent them from getting insanely hot, do it. You should also be covering the leaves, so this can help.
If you have to choose between blasting air on your fiddle leaf fig or letting it get too warm, choose warm if possible.
Tearing
Your fiddle leaf fig leaves can get torn when you are moving your fiddle leaf fig. This can occur when you move the tree in and out of a vehicle and if they shift around during transport.
Cover the leaves with paper or a light sheet and secure the tree so it doesn’t move around and other items can’t bump it.
If you have to turn the tree on its side, make sure to support the trunk so the leaves won’t get smashed.
Uprooting
If a tree tips during transport, the plant can completely come out of the pot. This is another factor to consider when moving your fiddle leaf fig.
Fiddle leaf figs don’t love being moved in the first place, and uprooting can cause a lot of unnecessary shock that can cause the tree to have a harder time adjusting to its new environment and drop even more leaves than expected.
Secure the tree in the pot by wrapping the base of the trunk and the pot in plastic wrap, a towel, or a blanket, especially if you’ll have to tip the plant on its side to fit it in a car.
Breaking
Lastly, you risk breaking the branches or even the trunk of your fiddle leaf fig if the trunk is thin when moving your fiddle leaf fig.
If you’re transporting the tree in a moving truck with a lot of other objects, consider wrapping the trunk in a protective blanket or wadded up packing paper, or using furniture to build a protective wall around the tree.
In a car, you run less risk of breaking branches or the trunk, but make sure to support the trunk with boxes, pillows, the center console, etc. This also protects the leaves from taking on too much weight and ripping.
Moving Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant
- Support the trunk, wrap up the leaves, and wrap up the pot.
- Transport the tree upright if you can, like in a moving truck.
- Try building a wall around the tree with furniture or other objects to protect the leaves from getting torn and the tree from getting smashed. You can also use crumpled packing paper to pad the trunk.
- If you must tip the tree on its side, use pillows, folded blankets, a folded tarp, or something to support the trunk. You want to maintain the shape of the tree as it lays on its side as much as possible.
Be prepared for some damage
No matter how carefully you pack and transport your fiddle leaf fig, you’ll likely see some casualties.
You’ll probably see a few torn leaves or a little sunburn and maybe some wilting. The fact is, these plants don’t like change, and moving is a big change that can’t be avoided.
Take the best possible care of your plant before and after the move, and it should bounce back and start sprouting new leaves in no time.
After travel, get it back on schedule.
A move is a big change, so give your plant a chance to acclimate to its new home when it arrives.
Avoid pruning, repotting, notching, pinching, or any other big changes for at least a month after you move in, and try to create an environment similar to whatever made it happy in its old home.
If you brought it home from a nursery and are just getting to know each other, try these articles to start things off on the right foot:
- The Basics of Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Care
- The 10 Commandments of Fiddle Leaf Fig Care
- The Ultimate Guide to Watering Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Care for Beginners
Stock Up on Essentials for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig:
- Premium Fiddle Leaf Fig Potting Soil
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food
- Root Rot Treatment
- Houseplant Leaf Armor to protect against insects, bacteria, and fungus (As an added bonus, it also cleans and adds shine to your plant’s leaves!)
- Moisture meter to always know when your plant is thirsty.
To learn more:
- To learn more, sign up for our free Fiddle Leaf Fig Care 101 Webinar or enroll in our free Fiddle Leaf Fig Course for advanced fiddle leaf fig care.
- Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter.
- Read The Fiddle Leaf Fig Expert, your complete guide to growing healthy fiddle leaf fig plants. The book is available in full-color paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon now!
- Click to join our community on Facebook: Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource Group.
