Dwarf Fiddle Leaf Fig

Dwarf Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata 'Bambino') is the version of the fiddle leaf fig that suits a normal room. It holds at about 1.5m tall and 80cm wide, carrying the same glossy violin shaped leaves at roughly half the size, and it branches into a bushy shape rather than running for the ceiling on a bare stem. If you have wanted the look but not the height, this is the one.

Why you'll love it

• The look at a workable size. Same sculptural leaves and deep gloss, on a plant that tops out around 1.5m and fits beside a sofa.
• Bushy rather than bare stemmed. It branches naturally and holds foliage low, so you avoid the leggy trunk standard fiddle leaf figs develop indoors.
• Slow and predictable. Gradual growth means it stays in proportion for years instead of outgrowing the spot.
• Humidity is a plus. It handles humid air well, so bathrooms and warm kitchens suit it better than they suit most indoor plants.
• Indoors, your climate stops mattering. It is frost tender, but as a house plant it grows the same in Hobart as in Cairns.

Where it works best

Indoors. Give it bright indirect light, a metre or two back from a north or east facing window. Direct sun through glass scorches the leaves.

Pots and containers. A 300mm to 400mm pot with a drainage hole suits a plant this size. Slip it inside a decorative outer pot rather than potting straight into one.

Sheltered balconies and courtyards. Outdoors it is limited to tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, in a frost free spot with morning sun.

Growing Dwarf Fiddle Leaf Fig in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors, turning the pot a quarter every few weeks so it grows evenly. It is frost tender, so outdoor planting only suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. Keep it away from air conditioning vents and cold draughts.

Soil. A quality indoor potting mix opened up with perlite or coarse bark. Figs hate sitting wet, and a heavy mix in a pot without drainage is the usual reason these plants fail.

Water and feed. Water thoroughly once the top 50mm of mix has dried, then empty the saucer. That is roughly weekly in summer and every two to three weeks in winter. Liquid feed monthly through spring and summer.

Pruning and grooming. Tip prune in spring to encourage branching, cutting above a leaf node. Wear gloves, because the milky sap is a skin irritant. Wipe the leaves every month or two, since dust cuts the light they receive.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow it in seven sizes. Tube and 140mm plants are young rooted cuttings and take a few years to reach any presence. The 200mm pack of 6 and 250mm pack of 3 suit several rooms. For a single indoor feature the 300mm is the value pick, while the 400mm and 500mm plants arrive already bushy.

Some leaf drop in the first fortnight is normal, because figs react to any change in light. Settle it in its final spot straight away. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Growing ficus lyrata indoors
• Browse the wider indoor plant range
• Compare relatives in the ficus collection
• How to keep your indoor plants alive

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. The sap is an irritant to skin and mouths, and the small figs are toxic to pets if eaten. Keep it out of reach of animals that chew foliage, and wear gloves when you prune.

Why are the leaves dropping?

Usually a change of position, a cold draught, or watering too often. Figs dislike being moved and respond by shedding. Give it a stable, bright spot and let the mix dry between waterings.

How big will it really get indoors?

About 1.5m tall and 80cm wide over several years, roughly half a standard fiddle leaf fig. Tip pruning in spring keeps it lower and encourages branching.