The soil you choose may be one of the most important decisions you make for the health of your fiddle leaf fig plant. Fast draining, well aerated soils are the best choices for a fiddle leaf fig, which prefers relatively dry soil to keep its roots moist but not wet.

Poor soil can cause problems with root aeration, bring fungus or bacteria into your plant’s root system, or harm your plant with salts or other chemicals.

Soil for indoor plants provides four basic functions:

1. As a place to anchor roots to provide support to the plant
2. To provide nutrients for growth and photosynthesis
3. To allow oxygen to access the root system
4. To deliver ample water to the roots

Which Soil is Best for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig?

To do all four of these functions well, you’ll need a versatile soil designed for house plants. Be sure to choose a fast-draining soil when possible to reduce your risk of root rot. Most houseplant soil blends combine perlite to aid with faster drainage and peat moss to retain moisture. Any good houseplant soil mix will work for your fiddle leaf fig, but you can mix with half cactus soil to “lighten” it up and make it drain faster.

If you’d like to mix your own soil, here’s the mix I recommend:

• 1 part gardening soil or premium soil
• 1 part compost
• 2 parts bark or mulch (unprocessed or dyed)
• 1/2 part active charcoal (horticulturist type)

Make Sure You Have Proper Drainage

The best soil in the world won’t provide a healthy environment for your plant with inadequate drainage. Make sure that your plant has appropriate drainage and that the roots can breathe.

Don’t Forget to Fertilize in a Few Months

Keep in mind that soil will only provide nutrition for your fiddle leaf fig for the first three to six months, so you will need to fertilize your plant to make sure it gets adequate nutrition. If your plant stops producing new growth or its leaves begin to yellow, it may be a sign that it’s lacking nutrients. 

For more on how to aerate your fiddle leaf fig soil to grow a healthier and happier plant click here.

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