Thanks to Claire Akin’s guidance, parenting a fiddle leaf fig plant becomes simple. Years of experience are packed into this easy-to-read book, The Fiddle Leaf Fig Expert, and, as a result, I’m now a more confident plant owner. A must-have for any fiddle leaf fig caretaker, to finally understand your plant and make it thrive.
INDOOR PLANT BOOK REVIEW: THE FIDDLE LEAF FIG EXPERT
Fiddle leaf fig plants make such a unique statement in a room that it’s hard not to get your attention taken away by its violin-shaped leaves when you meet one. If you’re reading this article, you probably have your own fiddle leaf fig plant or plan to acquire one. In all cases, you’re in the right place. This trendy plant is native to Africa and loves bright, indirect sunlight. Maybe you’ve noticed a few brown spots, or your plant is visibly suffering from something and you don’t know what it is (dropping leaves, poor growth, dry tips, or even pests). What to do in each case? This book will tell you how to decipher the signals. But first, convince yourself that it’s not all your fault and that plant signals are hard to interpret. Thanks to Claire Akin, a fiddle leaf fig plant expert, you will learn how to care for fiddle leaf fig trees in the long run, and finally understand their language in The Fiddle Leaf Fig Expert book.
Claire published The Fiddle Leaf Fig Expert to help owners care for their plant, and I thought it would be worth telling you about it. I’m excited because it’s the first book I’ve seen that goes into so many practical details.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS?
- All fiddle leaf fig plant owners
- Any first-time plant owners wishing to interpret plant signals from the start
- Even a seasoned indoor gardener will learn from this deeply researched book.
WHY THIS BOOK?
- Jargon-free and fiddle-leaf-fig-specific
- This book will help you master the art of watering your fiddle leaf fig.
- The 10 commandments of the fiddle leaf fig are just perfect.
SOME FIDDLE LEAF FIG CARE TIPS STOLEN FROM THE FIDDLE LEAF FIG EXPERT BOOK:
1. BROWN SPOTS ON THE LEAVES
- If the brown spots are starting from the middle of the leaf and spreading, that is likely caused by root rot and over-watering. Roots too wet -> root rot -> fungus spreads.
- If the brown spots are starting on the edges of the leaves and spreading inward, the cause is likely dry air and under-watering. Basically a dry plant.
2. LEAVES DROPPING
- If the oldest leaves toward the bottom of your plant are falling off first, it’s likely over-watering.
- If the leaves are falling off all over your plant, it’s likely under-watering.
3. PLANT DIRTY OR DUSTY?
- Shower it every three to six months to keep it clean and healthy.
Did you know that the fiddle leaf fig is named ficus lyrata for its large violin-shaped leaves? Lyra/lyrae refers to a lute or harp in Latin.
CONCLUSION
This specialist book is of great help. Claire’s objective was to make the book the only resource on fiddle leaf figs that you’ll ever need. It’s available on Amazon for about 25 bucks, 10 on a Kindle format.
- Focus: educational and care-oriented
- Specificity: helps you interpret correctly the distress “signals” of your fiddle leaf fig and act accordingly
- The plus: covers a wide range of techniques for watering, pruning, propagating, etc., which apply to other houseplants as well
- Who wrote the book? Claire is an expert on fiddle leaf fig plants, houseplants, and hybrid tea roses. She is the author of The Fiddle Leaf Fig Expert and an instructor at UCLA Extension. Follow her on Instagram here.
- Buy or recommend to a friend: The Fidde Leaf Fig Expert on Amazon
I hope this book review was insightful! Want more tips for your plants and indoor jungle? Subscribe to the newsletter below or follow me on social media.
Planti-fully yours,
Boris Dadvisard
Urban Naturalist
Plant Care Tips for your Urban Jungle
Instagram • Facebook • Pinterest • Twitter
Grab the 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:
- 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.
