Fiddle-Leaf Fig Trees in Singapore

Below are photos from some of the most prominent names in interiors and home decorating.

Hillary Swank’s Manhattan apartment via Elle Decor

Ken Fulk’s home via HouseBeautiful

Domino

Better Homes and Gardens

House & Home

Notice the photobomb? Well, not exactly. Actually it’s the eye-candy present in all the photos. It’s the Ficus Lyrata, more commonly known as the fiddle-leaf fig tree. It has been the houseplant in trend for the past few years, gracing the interiors of celebrities, designers and tasteful homeowners. Who would not love the Ficus? It’s very contemporary, sculptural and provides a great visual impact.

I've been wanting one and almost bought a 5-foot tree impulsively last Chinese New Year but the pot was too heavy and the tree was to tall to fit into a cab. For that I would've spent around $80 and another $80 for the pot. Just a few weeks back, I saw some fiddle-leaf fig trees, about 1-2 feet tall in IKEA, and just last Sunday, it’s already in the local grocery, Cold Storage. We were buying potting soil for our other houseplants so we've decided to get one. I have managed to select the tallest one which is a leaf-level higher than the rest of the stock for the same price of $10. I named him Fido and he’s 2 1’/2 feet tall. 

Thinking about it, it is smarter to get a small plant first, let it be accustomed to the conditions of the new place, to settle down gradually, and grow with you. It would be drastic for a tree that was nourished in a nursery to be placed inside the house with minimal air, rain, and sunlight. It’s just the perfect formula to kill a tree. Anyway, it’s a tropical tree so if they can grow it in wintry places, it shouldn't be much of a problem here in Sunny Singapore (I hope!).

So my tactic is this:

1) Let it stay outdoors where it will receive plenty of sunlight and air and grow new branches and leaves.

2) Water it only when necessary.

3) Re-pot it  to a bigger container in a few months time to encourage more growth.

And lastly 4) To bring it indoors when it is a few feet above our sofa.

Sound like a plan!

If all else fails, I’ll just get a new tree because the corner of our living hall needed something high and green badly and it’s just too early for a Christmas tree.

Update (as of July 2015):

A few months back, I pruned Fido’s top to encourage more branches, it did branched-out but still to a single trunk. I have successfully tried rooting the cut portion and now it is another plant with promising potential as I see new branches despite its small state.

As of the old tree, Fido has grown more than 5 feet tall after more than a year. The tree is still indoors, sheds a few leaves and developed new ones. I’m planning to transfer it to a bigger pot to encourage height and hopefully the much elusive branches. Will keep you all posted.