facebook Why Misting Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Might Be a Bad Idea
Misting your fiddle leaf fig

Why Misting Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Might Be a Bad Idea (and when it’s okay to mist)

If you’ve been misting your fiddle leaf fig, listen up!

Misting is popular with fiddle leaf fig owners as a way to replicate humidity. After all, fiddles are rain forest plants and they LOVE humidity.

But is misting the best way to go about it?

There’s lots of debate about misting your fiddle leaf fig, so we’re going to weigh in.

Misting comes with risks, so it might not be the best option to increase humidity.

Reason #1: Misting can cause buildup that interferes with photosynthesis.

Misting your fiddle leaf fig with regular tap water can cause a buildup of minerals on the leaves (hard water deposits) which prevent the plant from absorbing moisture.

Sure, you can clean these spots off, but it’s tricky to do and they make your leaves look dull and dirty. If you do choose to mist, make sure to use filtered water (NOT water from a water softener, because the salts can also harm your leaves).

Reason #2: Misting can spread bacteria and fungus.

Misting your fiddle leaf fig also can also spread disease if you aren’t careful.

When you mist your fiddle, bacteria and fungal spores can drop from leaf to leaf, which can spread fungal infections like powdery mildew. This can also exacerbate bacterial infections, which are very difficult to cure. If your fiddle leaf fig has an infection, try our Root Rot Treatment today. Also consider using our Houseplant Leaf Armor to protect your plant from bacteria, fungus, and insects; this product also helps your plant’s leaves retain moisture!

Root Rot Suplement Bottle

Root supplement is a ready-to-use liquid that is easy to apply to your houseplants.

Simply add Root Supplement to your watering can and apply every two weeks for best results.

BUY ROOT ROT TREATMENT

Wet leaves are also much more susceptible to fungal growth, especially if the leaves are crowded or if your fiddle is in a spot with poor air circulation.

How to create humidity without misting your fiddle leaf fig

So what’s a fiddle leaf fig parent to do if they live in a dry climate and their fiddle is dying for some humidity, but they don’t want to risk harming the plant?

Two good alternatives: Humidifiers and pebble trays

Humidifier

This is a great option, especially if there’s also a gentle fan running in the room to increase airflow around your plant. That way, your fiddle gets the humidity it loves without the risk of fungal growth.

If you choose this option, set up a humidifier (we like this one!) about 5 feet away from your fiddle for the perfect amount of humidity.

Pebble tray

This option works especially well for smaller plants like young fiddles or bambinos, and it’s a less bacteria-spreading way to give your plant a little humidity because the humidity travels up the leaves instead of dripping down.

To make a pebble tray, find a wide, shallow bowl or tray wider than the base of your plant and fill it with pebbles and water.

Then sit your plant’s pot on the tray. As the water in the tray evaporates, it will travel upward around your fiddle and create a little humidity.

Of if you’d like to purchase your pebble tray, try this one!

Bonus: More plants!

Another way to boost the humidity in your home is to just have more houseplants! As plants respire, they raise the relative humidity in their environment. Just be careful to keep an eye out for bacteria, fungus, or insect infestations that can spread from plant to plant.

Leaf Armor

With a solution that is designed and specially formulated for houseplants, you can help promote their leaves' longevity and maintain their freshness.

Protect your plants from the elements. Give your houseplants the care they deserve!

BUY HOUSEPLANT LEAF ARMOR

The ONE time when we recommend misting your fiddle leaf fig

Misting your fiddle leaf fig isn’t our favorite method of providing your fiddle with humidity, but the one exception is new leaf buds.

New baby leaves are thin and delicate and tend to stick together when they emerge from their leaf sheaths (hey, that almost rhymes!) which can cause tearing.

It’s a good idea to mist new leaf buds, but ONLY the lead buds, and not so much that water drips down the other leaves.

Give your new baby buds a good misting a few times every week and use a clean, soft cloth to gently dab up extra water if you’d like.

You can still raise a healthy fiddle leaf fig in a dry climate. It takes a few extra tools, but it’s totally doable! Give these tips a try for a healthy, beautiful tree, even if you live in the middle of the desert.

Grab the Essentials for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig:

To learn more:

Fiddle Leaf Fig Rescue Drops

Fiddle Leaf Fig Rescue drops

3-in-1 formula

to protect and supercharge your plant!

Buy Now

Thank You!
 

Get it on Amazon with this Code

USE CODE BUYONEGET15
SHOP NOW!
close-link
Soil Meter

We've designed a professional grade meter for home use!

Use our three-way meter to give you accurate readings on how much water to give them, whether they are in the right place for sunlight and soil pH values.

BUY FIDDLE LEAF FIG SOIL METER
close-link
Book-cov

Claire is an expert on growing dozens of varieties of houseplants, especially fiddle leaf fig plants.

As a writer and a fiddle leaf fig lover, she created this resource with the aim for this to be the only resource on fiddle leaf figs that you'll ever need.

BUY THE FIDDLE LEAF FIG EXPERT
close-link
Fig Shear

Our scissors were carefully designed to fit the needs of any plant owner!

Whether you are pruning, shaping, or propagating, you'll do it better with our trimmers.

BUY PREMIUM HOUSEPLANT SCISSORS AND PRUNING SHEARS
close-link
Root Rot Suplement Bottle

Root supplement is a ready-to-use liquid that is easy to apply to your houseplants.

Simply add Root Supplement to your watering can and apply every two weeks for best results.

BUY ROOT ROT TREATMENT
close-link
Propagation Promoter

Our Houseplant Propagation Promoter helps increase your chance of success, grow new roots faster, and keep bacteria at bay to protect your cuttings.

The result is a healthy new plant in less time!

BUY HOUSEPLANT PROPAGATION PROMOTER
close-link
Fig Potting Soil

Our fast-draining, well-aerated soil is designed to correct brown spots, prevent dropping leaves, and encourage new growth.

Enjoy healthy, dark green leaves and stop stressing about your plant!

BUY PREMIUM FIDDLE LEAF FIG POTTING SOIL
close-link
Plant Food Bottle

Are You Starving Your Fiddle Leaf Fig?

Made specifically for fiddle leaf figs, our plant food will help guide your plants to a longer, more beautiful life and provide the most care possible.

BUY FIDDLE FIG PLANT FOOD
close-link
Leaf Armor

With a solution that is designed and specially formulated for houseplants, you can help promote their leaves' longevity and maintain their freshness.

Protect your plants from the elements. Give your houseplants the care they deserve!

BUY HOUSEPLANT LEAF ARMOR
close-link

SAVE 10%

ON ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS NOW!

Use Code:

BUY1GET10

SHOP NOW
close-link
Buy Fiddle Leaf Fig Rescue drops on Amazon Now!
Buy Now