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Many fiddle leaf fig owners mist their plants to increase their humidity. While you can mist your fiddle leaf fig occasionally without causing too much harm, frequent misting invites pest invasions and plant disease. Although, there is an exception for new leaves whose lead leaf bud can be misted several times a week.
Since the fiddle leaf fig is a tropical plant, they have a great relationship with humidity. In fact, they love it.
This is why you’ve probably seen so many people mention misting the plant; it does help with humidity, after all.
But if misting isn’t all that great for the rich fiddle leaf fig, then what is good? If you want to help your plant while keeping it safe, there are several ways, and you can find them all below.
To get some more tips on taking care of the plant, read this fiddle leaf fig plant care guide so your baby grows to be in the best shape possible.
Logic Behind Misting Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig plant, scientifically known as the ficus lyrata, gets a ton of humidity in its natural environment.
As a popular indoor plant, it requires humidity at a similar degree as it’s important to the fiddle leaf fig growth rate.
Optimal humidity indoors for the plant is between 35% and 65%, which you can measure using a hygrometer.
Also, if the plant is exposed to suboptimal humidity conditions, it can suffer from many issues. These include your fiddle leaf fig leaves drooping, turning brown, and developing various diseases.
To aid in avoiding these issues, many owners of the vibrant plant choose to mist their babies.
Why You Shouldn’t Mist Fiddle Leaf Fig
While misting the fiddle leaf fig tree houseplant is popular, here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t follow suit.
It’s Ineffective
Misting works for plants just like how coffee works for us – it’s a momentary gain that temporarily helps.
Just like how caffeine provides a burst of energy in the morning that’s somehow lost by midday, misting does the same for plants.
When you mist it, your fiddle leaf fig will get increased humidity for a short period of time. Moments after the mist session, the fiddle leaf fig tree leaves will revert to being dry until you repeat the process. This becomes even more frequent during winter when humidity levels drop.
This increases the risk of harming your plant because you’re misting it more than necessary.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Diseases and Pest Invasion
Aside from the short-term benefits, misting the fiddle leaf fig houseplant can also invite fiddle leaf fig diseases and pests.
This includes fiddle leaf fig bacterial infection and fungal diseases on the ficus lyrata that can slowly kill the plant. If the infection was only affecting a few leaves, misting could spread it to healthy foliage.
Apart from killing the plant, diseases such as anthracnose can make the fiddle leaf fig unattractive to the eye. These bacterial and fungal infections can manifest as brown spots or tips on your lyrata plant leaves.
As for pests, spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and other common annoyances, these get an open invitation when you mist more than necessary.
The stagnant water on your foliage is a breeding ground for their invasion. Plus, the water used when you mist can also sweep them from leaf to leaf.
To deal with the above-mentioned issues, you’ll need to learn how to prune fiddle leaf fig and repot it.
Best Alternatives to Misting Your Fiddle Leaf Fig
Now that you know about the pitfalls of misting, it’s time to learn how best to keep fiddle leaf fig plants at optimal humidity. There are several alternatives that fiddle leaf fig enthusiasts swear by, and they should work for you too.
Humidifier
Humidifiers have been many plant owners’ favorite plant-related equipment, and with good reason.
Unlike misting, humidifiers will keep your plant fresh for as long as it’s on. The benefits aren’t just a temporary way of keeping your baby from being dry.
They increase the airflow around your plant, somewhat mimicking its natural habitat – all without the risk of disease. If this is your preferred choice, you can purchase a humidifier and place it a few feet away from your baby.
Pebble Tray
Pebble trays are another excellent option for your fiddle leaf fig maintenance for humidity. Unlike humidifiers, you can easily make your own.
To make one, find a tray or bowl that’s wider than your plant’s pot and fill it with water and pebbles. Afterward, place the fiddle leaf fig on the tray and let the magic happen.
Humidity is created by the water evaporating upwards, and this method carries no risk to your plant. If you want to avoid ordinary and dusty pebbles, you can add ambiance with these beautifully polished pebbles.
More Plants
Yes, adding more plants to your home is a great way to keep your fiddle leaf fig humid. You don’t have to turn your house into a jungle but adding a bit of lush greenery is a great choice.
When plants breathe, they raise humidity levels wherever they are, which is perfect for the fiddle leaf fig’s indoor health. Be sure to purchase beginner-friendly tropical plants such as snake plants, spider plants, dragon trees, and so on.
Place your plants a few feet away from one another so infections and pests don’t easily spread. Check them out from time to time and use pesticides, fungicides, and bactericides should you spot any issues.
Final Thoughts on Whether You Should Mist Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle leaf fig is a plant that loves and strives in high humidity, but misting them isn’t the best option to provide them with what they need. Apart from just offering short-term benefits, frequent misting opens the floodgates for pests and infections.
Plus, it can affect the vibrant beauty’s appearance. From the fiddle leaf fig tree dropping leaves to the browning of foliage, these are some reasons to avoid misting.
There are several healthy alternatives such as a humidifier, pebble tray, and increasing the number of surrounding plants.
Use the above information and you’ll be well on your way to developing a green thumb for fiddle leaf figs!