Fiddle Leaf Fig and Ficus plants are two of the most popular houseplants that provide a beautiful, lush look to any living space.
These two plants have a lot of similarities in terms of their appearance, however, there are several key differences between them that should be considered when selecting the right plant for your home.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences in care requirements, propagation, light requirements, humidity requirements, and pest and disease considerations between the Fiddle Leaf Fig and Ficus, so you can make an informed decision on which one is right for you.
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Short Answer
Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) and ficus (Ficus benjamina) are both types of fig trees and are similar in many ways.
The main difference is the shape and size of the leaves.
Fiddle leaf fig has wider, more fiddle-shaped leaves while ficus has thinner, more pointed leaves.
Fiddle leaf figs tend to have a more upright habit while ficus have a more weeping habit.
Fiddle leaf figs also need more light and humidity than ficus, making them harder to care for.
Overview of the Fiddle Leaf Fig
The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is a popular houseplant known for its large, glossy, violin-shaped leaves.
It is a member of the Ficus family, and is one of the more challenging houseplants to care for.
It requires more light and humidity than other plants in order to thrive and remain healthy.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa, and is known to be a slow-growing plant.
It can reach heights of up to 12 feet when grown outdoors, but will stay much smaller when kept indoors.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a popular choice for indoor spaces due to its beautiful foliage, and can be found in many homes and offices.
Because of its challenging care requirements, it is important to research and understand the needs of the Fiddle Leaf Fig before bringing one into your home.
Overview of the Ficus
The Ficus family is made up of a wide variety of plants, from the common rubber plant (Ficus elastica) to the more exotic fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata).
While both of these plants are members of the same family, they have some distinct differences that make them unique.
The Ficus is a hardy and low maintenance houseplant, with glossy, oval-shaped leaves.
It is a popular choice for indoor and outdoor gardens, as it is tolerant of lower light and humidity levels.
This makes it ideal for those with busy lifestyles who want to enjoy the beauty of a houseplant without having to worry about taking care of it.
The Ficus is also relatively easy to propagate, as it can tolerate root disturbance better than other plants.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig, on the other hand, is a bit more finicky and difficult to care for.
It prefers bright, indirect light and higher humidity levels, which can be challenging for those who dont have the right conditions.
However, its large, glossy, violin-shaped leaves make it a beautiful and sought after houseplant.
It is also relatively easy to propagate, making it a great choice for those looking to expand their houseplant collection.
Overall, both the Ficus and the Fiddle Leaf Fig are great options for houseplants, but they have distinct differences that make them unique.
The Ficus is a hardy and low maintenance plant that can tolerate lower light and humidity levels, while the Fiddle Leaf Fig is a bit more finicky and requires more attention to thrive.
Its important to take these differences into consideration before deciding which plant is best for you.
Differences in Care Requirements
The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) and Ficus (Ficus elastica) may both be members of the Ficus family, but when it comes to care requirements, there are a few key differences that should be considered.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a popular houseplant known for its large, glossy, violin-shaped leaves, and requires more light and humidity than the Ficus to thrive.
The Ficus, on the other hand, has glossy, oval-shaped leaves and is a hardier option that can tolerate lower light and humidity levels.
When it comes to light, the Fiddle Leaf Fig should be placed in a bright, indirect spot that receives plenty of natural light throughout the day.
Its important to note that this plant cant tolerate direct, scorching sunlight, so its best to keep it out of direct, afternoon sun.
On the other hand, the Ficus can tolerate lower light levels and can even be placed in shadier spots.
When it comes to humidity, the Fiddle Leaf Fig needs more moisture in the air than the Ficus does.
Its best to keep the humidity levels in the home around 50-70%, which can be achieved by misting the leaves or placing a humidifier near the plant.
The Ficus, on the other hand, can tolerate lower humidity levels and doesnt require as much misting or humidifying.
In terms of propagation, both plants are easy to propagate, but the Ficus is more easily propagated as it can tolerate root disturbance more easily than the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is more sensitive to root disturbance and needs to be handled with extra care when being propagated.
Overall, when it comes to the differences between the Fiddle Leaf Fig and the Ficus, its important to consider the care requirements of each plant.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig requires more light and humidity than the Ficus and is more sensitive to root disturbance.
However, both plants are relatively easy to care for and can make a great addition to any home.
Differences in Propagation
When it comes to propagation, the Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) and Ficus (Ficus elastica) have some distinct differences.
While both plants are easy to propagate, the Ficus is more easily propagated as it can tolerate root disturbance more easily than the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
For starters, propagating the Ficus requires less effort than the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Ficus can easily be propagated using stem cuttings, layering, or air-layering techniques.
Stem cuttings can be taken from the parent plant, placed in moist soil and allowed to root.
Layering is a process where a stem is bent to the ground and a portion of the stem is buried in the soil.
This process encourages the stem to root and form a new plant.
Air-layering is a similar process, but the stem is not placed in the soil.
Instead, the stem is wrapped in moist sphagnum moss and allowed to root.
On the other hand, propagating the Fiddle Leaf Fig is a bit more complicated.
Fiddle Leaf Figs can be propagated by stem cuttings, but the process is much more difficult than propagating the Ficus.
The stems must be kept in a moist environment and must be kept away from direct sunlight.
Additionally, the cutting must be kept in a warm environment to encourage root growth.
It can take several weeks for the cutting to root, and a misting system is often needed to maintain the humidity levels.
Overall, while both the Fiddle Leaf Fig and the Ficus are easy to propagate, the Ficus is more easily propagated than the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
The Ficus will root more quickly and can tolerate more root disturbance.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig, on the other hand, requires more effort and care when propagating.
Light Requirements
Light is an important factor to consider when choosing between a Fiddle Leaf Fig and a Ficus.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a finicky plant that requires bright, indirect light to thrive.
If the Fiddle Leaf Fig does not get enough light, it will become lanky and the leaves will start to droop.
The Ficus is a hardier plant and can tolerate lower light levels than the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
It will still need some light to grow, but it can survive in lower light levels than the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
In general, both plants prefer bright, indirect light and should be kept away from direct sunlight.
They should also be rotated periodically so they receive light from different angles.
Humidity Requirements
When it comes to humidity requirements, the Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) and Ficus (Ficus elastica) are both members of the Ficus family, but have different needs.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a popular houseplant that requires higher levels of humidity to thrive.
It is best kept in a moist, humid environment with temperatures between 65-75F.
It is sensitive to dry air, so regular misting or placing it near a humidifier can help.
On the other hand, the Ficus is a hardier option and can tolerate lower levels of humidity and dry air.
It can survive in conditions between 50-75F, but does best when kept in a slightly more humid environment.
In general, the Ficus is more tolerant to dry air than the Fiddle Leaf Fig and can survive in a wider range of conditions.
Pest & Disease Considerations
When it comes to pest and disease considerations, there are a few differences between Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) and Ficus (Ficus elastica).
Fiddle Leaf Fig is more prone to pests, like mealybugs, aphids and scale, while Ficus is less vulnerable to these pests.
Both plants can suffer from root rot or fungal diseases if they are over-watered or exposed to too much moisture.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is more sensitive to these issues, so it is important to be mindful of watering and humidity levels.
Additionally, Fiddle Leaf Fig is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so it is important to keep it away from cold drafts or extreme temperatures.
The Ficus, however, is more tolerant of temperature fluctuations, making it a better choice for those with less consistent temperatures in their home.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing between the Fiddle Leaf Fig and the Ficus, it is important to consider the differences in care requirements, propagation, light and humidity needs, and pest and disease susceptibility.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig requires more light and humidity to thrive, while the Ficus is a hardier option that can tolerate lower light and humidity levels.
Both plants are easy to propagate, but the Ficus is more easily propagated as it can tolerate root disturbance more easily than the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Ultimately, the type of plant you choose should depend on your own preferences, lifestyle, and needs.
With the right knowledge and care, either of these plants can make a beautiful addition to your home.