▷ What exposure to give to Ficus lyrata | How to Grow the Stunning Ficus Lyrata

The Ficus genus always gives us plants that can be defined as almost iconic, that type of plant that can be recognized in any environment. However, this does not mean that all its plants are similar.

Not at all! Unlike other genera, Ficus can differ significantly from each other, as we have seen for Ficus elastica, which is why today we are going to meet a bold specimen from its team: the Ficus lyrata!

Cool Lyrata

Ficus lyrata is native to West Africa and for us represents a beautiful and unique houseplant.

This plant has seen a sudden increase in popularity in recent years, as it takes on the appearance of a true design ace. Its slender, almost tree-like shape makes it an indispensable touch for the most fashionable interior furnishings.

Even its leaves, of a beautiful dark green and with a particular violin shape, become a point of attraction for every gaze that might be found wandering around the environment.

Just think that this plant in nature (and we repeat, in nature) reaches up to 15 meters in height, while in our apartments it can however reach the admirable height of 3 metres.

Caring for Ficus Lyrata

There are various rumors about Ficus lyrata that boast of its difficulty in caring for it, yet this is not so true. So what does it take for it to grow happy and thriving? We’ll tell you right away!

What exposure to give to Ficus lyrata

Prefers bright positions but with filtered light. In case of poor lighting it will suffer considerably, so much so that it will be ruined rather quickly.

Its ideal position is near a window, where it can enjoy natural light, but remember, it doesn’t even like direct light, it could even be fatal.

A trick for good plant care is also rotation, well yes, the Ficus lyrata tends to bend towards the light, so if you want to avoid this unpleasant effect it will be enough rotate it so as to allow an equal level of light on all sides. To find out more on the topic, here is the article: Direct, indirect, shielded and soft light, what light do plants want?

How to water Ficus lyrata

The soil must always be kept moist, it is a plant that requires constant watering, but be careful do not fall into excess! The best procedure is always to insert your fingers into the soil, feeling whether the substrate is actually damp or dry: if after a few centimeters you don’t feel any humidity, it will be the right time to water it!

Which substrate to choose for Ficus lyrata

It requires peaty, rich and well-drained soil. We in particular recommend the One line, excellent quality soils that will give the best conditions to Ficus lyrata!

What temperatures does Ficus lyrata want?

The ideal temperature of Ficus lyrata is from 18°C to 25°C. Be careful not to drop below the threshold of 13°C to avoid damage!

How to fertilize Ficus lyrata

Lyrata should be fertilized once a month during spring and summer, preferably with a liquid fertilizer for green plants.

How to propagate Ficus lyrata

Propagation is not a simple thing when it comes to Ficus lyrata, but it is interesting to try! To do an experiment, take an apical cutting (as we explained in this article), and plant it in the ground. It is also possible to take a cutting with any internode of the plant, however compromising the beauty of the mother plant itself.

How and when to prune Ficus lyrata

Pruning is not complex. Simply remove the damaged leaves as soon as they begin to deteriorate. It is also recommended to cut the top to prevent it from becoming excessively tall.

When to repot Ficus lyrata

It is a plant that tends to want to grow rather quickly, which is why it is possible to change its pot to a slightly larger one (to avoid the risk of overpotting) once a year in spring.

Common problems of Ficus lyrata

There can be many problems you may encounter, let’s look at the most common ones.

Brown spots on the leaves of Ficus lyrata

FIcus lyrata may show brown spots on the leaves which then fall. This is not a real problem when it does not happen on too many leaves as it is part of a plant maturation process. Otherwise it could be caused by over-wetting.
If you realize that the soil is now too soaked, don’t let it dry, rather change it to avoid worsening the situation. Furthermore, it is a good practice to reduce the humidity of the room and increase the general temperature.

Loss of Ficus lyrata leaves

There can be more than one problem, including:

Natural course of the plant, so the old leaves fall off to make way for new ones;
Lack of water or low humidity, although in this case it is easier for the leaves to become dry and discolored;
Stress, a condition perhaps resulting from movement and change of habitat;
Exposure to cold currents.

Brown edges and dry leaves on Ficus lyrata

Here the most probable reason is the scarcity or total absence of humidity or water. Once the problem has been solved, remove the damaged leaves.

Holes on the leaves of Ficus lyrata

If we notice holes in the leaves of our Ficus lyrata (often with brown and irregular edges) the possible causes are:

Mechanical trauma (pets, violent movements when manipulating the hair, hitting objects);
Lack of light which initially translates into yellow and brown spots which then completely necrose leaving a hole with irregular edges;
Presence of phytophagous parasites;
Lack of humidity: air that is too dry can be caused by heat sources that are too close to the foliage or by currents of hot/cold air close together (convectors, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, stoves, etc.);
Water shortage: if it is likely that the ficus lyrata does not have enough water, sub-irrigation watering can be done to uniformly rehydrate the soil;
Nutrient deficiencies: always make sure that Ficus lyrata is adequately fertilized with a fertilizer for green plants;
Asphyxia or root rot: less frequently, holes in the leaves of Ficus lyrata can be caused by problems relating to the roots, in these cases it is a good idea to check the root system and ensure its health by also evaluating whether the substrate is suitable (permeable, rich in aggregates in the mixture, free of stagnation); otherwise it is better to replace it with a quality soil such as One Plus;
It could also be attacked by mites, thysanoptera and cochineal.

An important thing regarding this plant is also the cleaning of its leaves, it is in fact of great help for its growth to keep the leaves free from dust that could damage them.