The Plant List

Ficus lyrata

Common: Fiddleleaf fig, Fiddleleaf ficus
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Tropical Africa
Light: Full sun
Water: Slightly dry

Popular indoors when young and used as a shade tree in the tropics. Good near swimming pools and in planters.

Makes an excellent specimen tree. Evergreen tree or large shrub. Dramatic structural form with huge green leaves. In protected outdoor position, can grow to 20 feet with trunks 6 inches thick.

Glossy-surfaced, stiff, dark green, fiddle-shaped leaves 15 inches long and 10 inches wide. The fruit are figs that are dotted white. Figs are not edible.

Watch for spider mites. Over watering results in edges of leaves turning brown. Plant will droop and lose yellow leaves if underwatered. The woody stalk can be cut to promote bushier growth.