Growing an Outdoor Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Fiddle leaf fig trees are usually houseplants, but growing them outdoors is possible if you have a tropical to sub-tropical climate and follow a few basic growing rules.

Here’s everything you need to know about growing an outdoor fiddle-leaf fig tree.

Outdoor Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing Zones

Fiddle leaf figs are West African natives, so successfully growing them outdoors requires a similar warm climate of 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity. In the U.S., that’s tropical or semi-tropical USDA growing zones 9-11.

Fiddle leaf fig trees generally thrive in California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana. With some winter protection, they will grow from 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade.

Fiddle leaf figs grow natively in rainforests beneath a thick, lush canopy of trees. This means they receive indirect sunlight, warmth, and lots of humidity. A fiddle leaf fig tree will thrive if you can replicate this environment.

In colder areas, winter fleece is essential. You’ll need to cover the tree if temperatures exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s in a pot, bring it indoors. Shroud border-bound fiddle leaf fig trees in horticultural fleece.  

A shady, humid spot is required in very hot areas to avoid leaf scorch. In very hot summers, container-grown fiddle leaf figs could come inside.

Young fiddle leaf fig trees are more prone to damage from extreme weather. Larger specimens can weather temporary hot and cold snaps if they are healthy. It’s just something to think about if you’re buying from scratch.

Choosing the Best Position

It’s harder to create a rainforest habitat outdoors than indoors, but it’s possible with some forethought.

One of the main factors is wind protection. In their native environment, fiddle leaf fig trees are protected from harsh cold or hot drying wind by surrounding rainforest trees. Choose a position sheltered from the wind.

Light and soil type are considerations, too. Let’s jump in!

Best Soil for Growing an Outdoor Fiddle Leaf Fig

Growing fiddle leaf fig trees outdoors in a container is easy. Just choose a quick-draining, nutrient-rich soil.

In the ground, it’s a little more complicated. Fiddlers need rich, loamy soil they would get on the rainforest floor. Think of lots of damp leaf mulch. First up, it’s helpful to know your soil.  

Is it crumbly or rocky? That’s sandy soil. It sticks together? That’s clay soil. Neither is ideal!

You can fix it by removing stones and adding lots of compost or well-rotted organic manure to the planting hole. After planting, mulch the surface soil with the same concoction.

What About Soil pH?

Fiddle leaf fig trees prefer relatively neutral soil around 6-7 pH. It’s easy to figure out what you have. Pop soil in a jar. Add vinegar, and if it fizzes, that’s alkaline soil. Add baking soda and water to another soil sample; if it fizzes, that’s acidic soil. No reactions mean neutral soil.

What to Do

• Neutral soil: Nothing. Remove stones and add that compost and manure.
• Acidic: Add a bit of lime.
• Alkaline: Add sulfur or manure.

If you’re not keen on playing chemist, look for a different spot in the yard because soil varies widely. It may be a different pH, just a few feet across. Or you can pop it in a large container of neutral pH compost.

Ground vs. Containers

We’ve already talked a bit about ground vs. containers regarding soil quality, but a few more points will help get the best from a fiddle leaf fig tree growing outdoors.

Container Pros and Cons

• You have control over soil, temperature, and light. Containers are easy to move to avoid harsh weather.
• A strict watering and fertilizing regime are necessary, and you’ll need to ensure good drainage. Pot-growing fiddle leaf fig trees won’t grow as tall as ground-grown ones, and the container may blow over in high winds.  

Ground Pros and Cons

• Ground-growing outdoor fiddle leaf fig trees need fewer watering and fertilizer requirements; they have good drainage and stability and can grow at full height without the root restriction of a container.
• However, prolonged lousy weather could damage it, and soil and light requirements limit its potential planting spot.

Growing an Outdoor Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree: Light Requirements

Light is essential because, without it, they won’t thrive. That’s why developing a fiddle leaf fig tree outside can be easier.

Full shade is too dark, but hours of the direct blazing sun cause problems, too. Choose a semi-shaded position that gets at least six hours of daylight each day for the best results.

Fiddle leaf fig trees can grow in direct sunlight but need acclimatization first. Start in semi-shade, then gradually expose the tree to an extra hour of the sun over several weeks if you live in a scorching climate. Once it is acclimatized, it’s time to plant it in the ground.

How to Fertilize an Outdoor Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Pot-grown fiddle-leaf figs need a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every few weeks in the growing season. Follow the instruction label for the correct dose, and don’t be tempted to add more than the recommended amount; otherwise, it will poison the fidder.

Fiddle-leaf figs in the ground benefit from fertilizer every 1-2 months in the growing season.  

Do They Fruit?

Outside its natural habitat, a fiddle leaf fig tree rarely fruits, but there’s a better chance with outdoor trees than indoor houseplants, simply because they receive more light and there are pollinators around.  

Fiddle leaf fig tree fruits aren’t toxic but leathery and not sweet! They cause very odd mouth dryness. The fruits are best left as attractive ornamentals.

How to Water a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Outdoors

Generally, a ground-growing fiddle leaf fig tree won’t require much water if it rains sufficiently. It will benefit from water in very hot spells, and this will help it retain its leaves that will otherwise drop if it’s dehydrated.

Pot-grown versions are a different matter altogether.

Fiddle leaf fig trees in containers need lots of water. Please don’t underestimate how much they drink and how quickly sun and wind dry out compost. In summer, they will likely need weekly water. Up it to 2-3 times a week in very hot spells.

Pruning Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees

Growing an outdoor fiddle leaf fig tree is exciting because it can reach epic proportions, up to 10 feet tall! But with height comes the need to remove some leaves and branches.

• Remove any dead or diseased leaves straight away.

• Uneven branches can be removed with a pruning saw.

• To limit height, remove the leader stem.

Pest and Diseases

Indoor fiddle leaf fig trees are protected from most pests and diseases, but outsiders are not so lucky. Here are some of the potential problems.

Aphids

These little vampires suck on new foliage and reproduce at staggering rates. They attract birds, but you can quickly remove them by wearing washing-up gloves and running your hands over them. An excellent natural remedy is dish soap water spray or a spray made by soaking citrus peel in water overnight.  

Spider Mites

Spider mites damage foliage, leaving brown dots. Chemical control is available, but you can first try the natural remedies above.

Mildew

Mold and mildew occur when there’s not enough air circulation. Consider pruning your outdoor fiddle leaf fig tree or cutting back surrounding vegetation.

Can I Move a Fiddle Leaf Fig Outside?

Indoor fiddle leaf figs can indeed move outdoors, but the process takes time to avoid shock. Take your fiddler outside for a few hours and increase it by an hour until it’s outside most of the time.

Some owners like to put them outside during summer but bring them back indoors for winter, which helps keep them in tip-top shape. It’s best to do it gradually at either end of the season to acclimatize the fiddle-leaf fig tree and prevent leaf drop.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Bogdan Sonjachnyj/Shutterstock.com